The Nutty Coconut Crab

1. The Nutty Coconut Crab By: Emily Richards

2. What IS the Coconut Crab? • The coconut crab [or birgus latro] is the largest living terrestrial arthropod in the world. Even though they typically grow up to 3ft and usually weigh about 9 pounds, they have been known to grow up to 6ft and weigh 30 pounds! The coconut crab has adapted so well to land that they will drown in water. although they still have lungs capable of breathing underwater, they are now modified for land. But the females still have to travel to the sea to lay their eggs. You will be very glad to hear that these creatures are omnivores. Their eating habits are mostly fleshy fruits, nuts, and coconuts, earning them their name. One of the other reasons it is named the coconut crab is because of their ability to climb coconut trees and slice the coconuts down if they are not available on the ground. They can also live over 30 years! The coconut crab comes in many different colors such as deep purple, brown and violet. FUN FACT Many people think that the Coconut Crab is held responsible for the death of champion aviator Amelia Earhart for they found human bones on an island were coconut crabs are native to. They also added up the fact that they have a habit of scavenging their food back to their burrows. • POWER WORDS • Terrestrial- growing on land; not aquatic • Anthropoid-Any invertebrate of the phylum Arthropod, having a segmented body, jointed limbs and usually a chitins shell that undergoes molting . Other examples include insects, spiders and other arachnids crustaceans.

3. Where are Coconut Crabs native to? • Coconut crabs live on islands in the Indian to the central Pacific Ocean.  The largest and best-preserved population is found on Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean.   The coconut crab is mostly native to the south pacific islands such as Christmas, Seychelles, Cook, Andaman, Nicobar, Carolines Island and Olango Island in the Philippines. They can also be found on the British Indian Ocean Territories where they are protected. You will be fined $3,000.00 for hunting or eating one. • The coconut crab will dig their own burrow in sand or loose soil. In Guam, they burrow deep into limestone for their habitat. They stay in their underground homes during the day for protection. They close off the entrances with their claws to keep it moist inside to help them breath. One of their odd habits stealing shiny objects from natives porches or decks or even from tents of people camping out. They bring these treasures down to their burrows. Coconut crabs live on most coasts in the blue area; red points are primary and yellow points secondary places of settlement

4. Is the Coconut Crab an important part of the food chain? • The coconut crab’s diet consists mostly of fleshy fruits . Although it has been seen eating other coconut crab’s and other smaller crab’s dead carcasses. Once it was even seen catching and eating a Polynesian rat. One of the other reasons it was named the Coconut Crab is because it very much enjoys coconuts and it is able to do that because of its ability to crack it open with one swipe! • Coconut crabs are part of the food chain. They are eaten by humans. Coconut crabs are considered a delicacy in the Marshall Islands. Unfortunately, in certain locations during the Second World War, the U.S Government conducted experiments with atomic weapons. As a result, coconut crabs have absorbed above average levels of cesium 137 , which can be dangerous in large amounts.

5. Its Relationship With People • The coconut crab, especially if it is not yet fully grown, is also sold as a pet, for example, in Tokyo. The cage must be strong enough that the animal cannot use its powerful claws to escape. Should a coconut crab pinch a person, it will not only cause pain, but is unlikely to release its grip.  • The crab is rarely seen by humans. They stay in their underground burrows during the day and venture out at night for food. Some crabs will come up during a rainy day for the moister or to get a head start on scavenging for coconuts, other fruits and carrion. POWER WORDS Carrion: refers to the carcass of a dead animal.

6. To find out more… • http://www.foodreference.com/html/fcoconutcrab.html • www.Wikipeidia.org • http://www.squidoo.com • To respond to this feature article, go to.. • The Watsons winner blog At • http://cwatsondps.wordpress.com/