The coconut crab or Birgus latro by its scientific name, is known for feeding on coconuts, which it opens with its claws. It is for this main reason that the Birgus latro earned the name of coconut crab. It is the heaviest arthropod that exists on earth and the second largest in the world, after the Japanese giant crab.
The coconut crab is among the approximately 500 species of hermit crabs that exist. These, unlike some close relatives, cover their abdomen with shells since they are softer than other species.
In this article on our site we are going to talk a little about the coconut crab so that you can learn more about this curious species. Below we explain where the coconut crab lives and some curiosities that surround it.
Coconut Crab Habitat
We found the coconut crab in the Indian Ocean, place with the largest number of specimens that exists. It is also present in the Christmas islands, where the best crabs are guaranteed to be found, and in the Seychelles islands, located in the same ocean.
Likewise, we found more coconut crab specimens in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (India), due to theBay of Bengal which includes Sri Lanka and the so-called Society Islands , which are part of the french polynesia.
Other coconut crab habitats
The coconut crab is also present in the Pacific Ocean, specifically in the Western Pacific. A significant population of these crabs can be found in the Cook Islands, an archipelago located between Hawaii and New Zealand.
The coconut crab can be found on Pukapuka, one of the more isolated islands. Also present in Suwarrow, where they disperse between 22 islets and Mangaia, the southernmost of these islands. Takutea, Mauke, Atiu and Palmerston are also distinguished.
Coconut Crab Burrow
This crustacean lives in burrows, also in cracks between rocks It is capable of digging its own burrows either in the sand or in not very hard ground. It is a nocturnal animal, so during the day it remains hidden in its burrow, in order to preserve humidity.
In places where the population of coconut crabs is very dense, as in the case of the Christmas Islands, specimens can be seen during the day. Of course, or the only thing that must be fulfilled to be able to see them during the day, is a rainy or humid climate since it favors the conditions that allow it to breathe. It is a terrestrial animal and in adulthood it loses its ability to swim
