Coconut Crab (Birgus latro)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Birgus latro
- Common name
- Coconut Crab
- Category
- Crustaceans
- Family
- Coenobitidae
- Genus
- Birgus
- Size
- 30–120 cm
- Depth
- 0–5 m
- IUCN status
- Vulnerable (VU)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- sandy-bottom, seagrass-meadow
- Behaviours
- benthic, solitary, nocturnal
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Birgus latro reaches 1.2 m, 4 kg. Giant terrestrial hermit crab (Coenobitidae), Indo-Pacific islands. Blue-black carapace, massive red claws (can exert 40 kg force). Hemiterrestrial diet: roams islands at night, hides in burrows by day. Cracks coconut walls with claw (legend). Threatened by overfishing (meat), collection = VU (IUCN). Emblematic reef atoll species. Protected in some countries.
Photo of Coconut Crab
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Coconut Crab?
- Coconut Crab (Birgus latro) reaches 30–120 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Coconut Crab?
- Coconut Crab is found between 0–5 m deep.
- Is the Coconut Crab dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Coconut Crab?
- IUCN status: Vulnerable (VU).
- Where can you find the Coconut Crab?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the family Coenobitidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 208668)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 4311512)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia