The coconut crab (Birgus latro) is a terrestrial species of giant hermit crab, and is also known as the robber crab or palm thief. It is the largest terrestrial arthropod known, with a weight of up to 4.1 kg (9 lb).

Aug 12, 2024 · Readers might recognize viral photos of coconut crabs perched menacingly on top of trees or latched onto a trash can (though the latter may have been a bit misleading), but these extraordinary...

Jan 28, 2025 · Coconut crabs face significant threats due to habitat destruction, overharvesting, and the introduction of invasive predators. Their large size and the quality of their meat make them a target for hunting, leading to localized extinctions on populated islands.

May 7, 2024 · Coconut crab climbs a tree trunk at the San Diego Zoo. Coconut crabs use their strong pointed legs to scale large trees. More commonly, they're found on the ground or in their burrows.

Sometimes called the robber crab or palm thief, coconut crabs are enormous, terrestrial hermit crabs that can grow up to 1m (3 feet) in width. Only humans by adulthood or other coconut crabs. Juveniles possibly predated upon by rats, birds, pigs.

Meet their enormous relatives, coconut crabs. Their leg span is up to a metre, they have incredible grip strength and they can lift objects the weight of a 10-year-old child. Coconut crabs, Birgus latro, might seem unusual – they’re absurdly large, land-dwelling, bird-hunting crustaceans.

The coconut crab (Birgus latro) is a terrestrial species of giant hermit crab, and is also known as the robber crab or palm thief. It is the largest terrestrial arthropod known, with a weight of up to 4.1 kg (9 lb).

Oct 15, 2024 · Classified as 'Vulnerable' by the IUCN, coconut crabs face threats from habitat destruction and climate change. Coconut crabs are the largest land-dwelling arthropods, with some individuals reaching a leg span of up to three feet and weighing over nine pounds.

Feb 24, 2013 · Of course, then the crab would get a sheepish grin on its face and scuttle away in glee. I picture it something like this (but on land, of course): Coconut crabs really are the coolest.