Random Facts Most People Don't Know About Coconut Crab, Biggest Arthropod (13 items)

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  (#13) They Fall From Trees

  One of the most curious things about the coconut crab is its ability to crack open coconuts through climbing trees. Once the husk is removed, the crab can grip the remaining nut in its claws and climb a tree up to 33 feet high, dropping it from the top so it will crack on the ground below. This makes it easier to access the nutty deliciousness inside without too much labor. Climbing down is not quite as easy, however, and they often choose to free fall if the drop is not more than about 15 feet.

  For those who find the coconut crab to be somewhat alarming, this reality can cause a paralyzing fear of walking through a tropical coconut grove where these crabs are known to live. 
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  (#10) They Could Become Endangered

  Despite their curious appearance and behavior, not a great deal is known about the coconut crab or whether they are in danger of become extinct. While there's no doubt they are tough critters with an incredible ability to adapt, they may be vulnerable to the biggest predator of all - humans. Even though their overall habitat is relatively small, their total population has yet to be calculated by researchers, who have categorized them as "Data Deficient," meaning they are still trying to determine their population's status.

  Some conservation efforts have implemented strategies to protect them from humans by limiting the number of crabs taken by hunters and enforcing a strict licensing process.  
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  (#4) Did They Eat Amelia Earhart?

  There is a certain mystique about the coconut crab, mostly because of its extreme size and strength. Because of this, the creature has a certain mythical lore about it. One such example is the theory it is somehow linked to the historical disappearance of Amelia Earhart, who fell off the radar while flying her plane over the Pacific Ocean in 1937. Just three years later, researchers discovered a piece of bone on an island in the area which seemed to match the location and condition of those belonging to the missing pilot.

  A theory soon emerged she had likely perished somewhere on this stretch of beach, possibly through an encounter with the frightening coconut crab. One hypothesis asserts she may have overwhelmed by the creatures as she lay unconscious and never able to recover.

  To test this idea, researchers carried out an experiment using small pig carcasses. When they left the remains in the open, the crabs quickly picked them apart and scattered them around, similar to the way the alleged bones of Earhart were found. Although there is no way to be sure, it's entirely possible either her body or that of another stranded soul found its way into the claws of the robber crab, never to be seen again. One thing is for sure, however - coconut crabs love to feast on bones, pick them clean, and scuttle them away to their nests. 
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  (#9) They Are Grouchy

  Coconut crabs do not enjoy visitors. They are known to burrow deep into the cool sand beneath the roots of trees as a way to hide from the sun, and will even avoid crabs of their own kind. They will aggressively defend their territory if challenged - especially if there's any food involved. When they emerge, their temperament is not much better, and they are largely keep their distance from one another.

  To announce their presence, they will wave their large claws around in warning and scuttle around any other crabs they see. Decidedly unsocial creatures (unless it's mating season), coconut crabs live solitary lives - and like it just fine that way.
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  (#7) They Can Grow To Be Enormous

  Like others of their kind, coconut crabs begin their lives in the sea, floating freely and eating until they find the perfect shell to adopt. Once they establish their portable home, they can begin their transition to live on land. Although the shell is comfortable and safe, it soon becomes too small for the crab, and they are forced to venture out to find a new one with more room. After about a year of moving from shell to shell, the coconut crab must embrace its true nature of being the biggest, baddest arthropod in the world.

  And like the Incredible Hulk, it breaks free from its restraints and emerges as a fiercer, stronger creature. The parts of its body that were once protected quickly harden through a process of recalcification, and the crab is free to become ginormous. 
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  (#6) They Can Break Into Coconuts With Their Claws

  These great omnivores enjoy many different foods, although they number favorite is, of course, coconuts. Despite the notoriously tough outer shell, these tenacious crabs begin by tearing the husk, fiber by fiber, until it the hairy outside is completely removed. This can take several hours or even days. The task was so arduous researchers once believed it likely wasn't even possible for the crab to do it at all until they witnessed it first-hand.

  They use their hammer-strong claws to dig into one of the "eye holes" until there is an opening, and suck out the liquid before cracking the whole thing open to eat the tender, white meat inside, which makes up the majority of their diet. Their great size has been attributed to this plentiful food source, although the crabs also feed on a variety of other protein-rich items. 

  They use their extremely well-developed sense of smell to find all sorts of beach goodies and will eat basically any organic matter they come across, or at least ferry it away for heavier inspection.  The crab is typically a nocturnal eater, grabbing rotted fruit, pith from fallen trees, and any other morsels are often discovered under the cover of darkness.

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