Coconut crab characteristics 

Coconut crabs are found throughout the Indo-Pacific. They live on islands and coastal mainlands across the southwest Pacific and Indian oceans. Hence, they are mostly raised on the islands off the coast of Africa to the Gambier Islands in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. So, typically coconut crabs live in coastal forests with plenty of rock crevices. They require appropriate soil for digging burrows. Around Australia, the largest remaining population is on Christmas Island; an offshore Australian territory in the Indian Ocean.

Coconut crabs are also known as robber crabs. They have a habit of stealing food from inattentive campers. Thus far, you may be familiar with hermit crabs, the adorable tiny crustaceans. Coconut crabs belong to the same group and are known for living in discarded mollusk shells. So, coconut crabs do this too when young. However, they give up this habit as they grow. 

Gigantic size

Coconut crabs are huge. They are mega-size crabs. However, they are not the world’s largest crabs. Thus far, coconut crabs are the largest crustacean that spends their adult life on land. Their leg span is over a metre. Hence, they have incredible grip strength. So, they can lift objects the average weight of a 10-year-old child. Thus, they have powerful pincers. In fact, they are some of the most dangerous weapons in the animal kingdom. Experts claim a pinch of this crab may rival a lion’s bite. So, they can do terrifying things with their claws.

Coconut crabs are land-dwelling and bird-hunting crustaceans. So far, on their island homes, these peculiar traits work especially well for them. Coconut crabs reach sexual maturity and are about five years old. They can live up to 60 years old. Thus far, coconut crabs can grow to weigh up to 4kg.

Source of food

As the name suggests coconut crabs mostly live off coconuts. Since these creatures live on islands in the Pacific and around the Indian ocean. Their favourite food is in abundance. It is incredible to watch a coconut crab break open a coconut. They use their bare claws to crack a coconut. Thus far, it is even more unnerving to learn that coconuts are not the only things that they tear apart.

So, as omnivorous creatures, coconut crabs eat both, plants and animals. They have been known to feed on birds, feast on kittens, and rip into pig carcasses. In fact, there is almost nothing off the menu for robber crab. Like most crabs, they shed their exoskeletons to grow new ones. Hence, they will even eat their exoskeletons. So, when their old molted shell falls off, they don’t leave it behind. They eat the whole thing. Other crabs leave it behind.

Fleshy fruits

The preference for coconut crab is to eat flesh fruits. However, thrive on seeds and nuts too.  Coconuts are their favourite. In fact, coconut crabs are known to climb coconut palms to crack open green coconuts. They love to feast on the white flesh inside. Their walking legs are claw-like. They are curved and have an inward grip. Hence, they climb palms and other trees easily.

Eating coconut crab

Coconut crabs are a delicacy for Pacific islanders. People of Indian Ocean islands love to eat too. However, it is helpful to know some species are poisonous and protected. It is an aphrodisiac with a taste similar to lobster and common crabmeat. Thus, the most delicious parts of the crab are the eggs inside the female crabs and the fat in the abdomen. You may prepare coconut crabs by steaming or boiling mostly in rich coconut cream or milk.

In fact, people consider crabs and lobsters to be tasty sea and freshwater food. Thus far, they are eaten and loved by millions of people throughout the world. They are rich in numerous nutrients. Therefore, may provide many health benefits.