From the set of the next Alien movie
Looking like some alien creature right out of a science-fiction movie or a sea beast from your worst nightmares, these weird animals are found around tropical islands in the Indian and Pacific oceans. The biggest of these crabs to have been reported was said to measure 6 feet wide and weigh more than 30 pounds. Most of them, however, will weigh around 9 pounds.
It does what it wants! Don’t try to stop it!
This freak of nature is often called ‘palm thief’ and ‘robber crab’ because it appears they are fond of stealing shiny things from surrounding huts and houses. Silver jewelry and kitchen pots have been known to disappear when they are around. They achieve this even though they have poor eyesight and make their way around sensing vibrations.
Coconut Lover
As it cannot swim, the Giant Coconut Crab lives on land and got its name for its propensity to climb up coconut tress. It makes good use of its ability to get up those trees and regularly cuts down the coconuts which it will gather back down and usually open them up with its powerful claws. It has also been reported that the crab sometimes take an unopened coconut with its claws, bring it back up the tree and drop it on the ground to break it.
These weird looking animals come out mostly at night when predators are not susceptible to catch them and when the temperature is cooler. They may come out during the daytime if it is raining or if the air is moist. They live in underground hideaways or in rock crevices. Not one to waste what it takes from nature, the Giant Coconut Crab will make it bed with the husk fibers of coconuts it eats.
Don’t let them grab your balls
If you come across one of them weird animals be careful. When they catch something with their claws they do not usually let go easily. Otherwise, it is more the crab itself which needs to be wary of humans as local islanders use it as a delicacy food and even as an aphrodisiac. Local children are known to play with the crabs so they must not be so hostile despite their impressive size.
While not officially an endangered species, the Giant Coconut Crab population has – like most animals – suffered from habitat loss and the increasing presence of man on the planet. They are still found in large numbers on the Cook Islands or in cages in Japan where there seems to be a market for pet Giant Coconut Crabs – bad!