The Robber Crab (Birgus Latro), also called the Coconut Crab, is the largest terrestrial arthropod. And the only terrestrial solitary crab that does not carry a mollusk shell. Individuals can weigh up to 4 kg, and recent studies prove that they may live over 100 years.

They generally live on land, climb up the coconut trees nights and carve a hole into the tender coconuts to eat the soft parts. Adult coconut crabs feed primarily on fleshy fruits, nuts, seeds, and the stem of fallen trees, but they would eat decay and other organic matter when needed. Anything left on the ground is a possible source of food, which they would carry away, thereby getting the name of “robber crab” or “thief crab.”

This large-sized crab can grow up to 40 cm long and 22 cm wide.

The female lays her eggs into the sea with a new moon and a spring tide (from May to September) when the humidity and temperature are suitable. The number of eggs she releases can be around 138,000. Their only dependence on the sea is for releasing eggs, which hatch in contact with seawater. Therefore, quickly migrate to the shoreline with other terrestrial crabs. The coconut crab arrives at sexual maturity around five years after hatching and attains its maximum size after 40–60 years.

Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean has the densest population of coconut crabs in the world. They also exist in Seychelles but are extinct on the central islands. The distribution of this crab is into Great Nicobar Island and South Sentinel Island in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In the Nicobar Islands, the species is present in Car Nicobar, Little Nicobar, Katchal, Camorta, and Great Nicobar Island. In the present study, the general ecology of coconut crabs focuses on the great Nicobar.

FAQs

1 . Where are the Coconut Crabs found?

The distribution of this crab is into Great Nicobar Island and South Sentinel Island in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In the Nicobar Islands, the species is present in Car Nicobar, Little Nicobar, Katchal, Camorta, and Great Nicobar Island. In the present study, the general ecology of coconut crabs focuses on the great Nicobar.