Knowra Coconut crab Coconut crab The coconut crab (Birgus latro) is the largest terrestrial arthropod, a land-dwelling hermit crab native to tropical islands of the Indian and western Pacific oceans.
Hermit crab : A crab that shelters its soft abdomen in a borrowed shell or other protective enclosure. Coconut crabs belong to this group but shed shell dependence as adults.
Seed dispersal : The movement of seeds away from the plants that produced them. By eating and carrying fruits, coconut crabs can redistribute seeds on islands.
Christmas Island : An Australian territory in the Indian Ocean known for its rainforest and distinctive wildlife. Its forests support a well-studied population of coconut crabs.
Overharvesting : The removal of organisms from a population faster than it can recover through reproduction. Food harvest can reduce coconut crab populations, especially where large adults are targeted.
Arthropod : An invertebrate animal with a segmented body, jointed limbs, and an external skeleton. Coconut crabs are arthropods whose exoskeleton supports their large body.
Land crab : A crab adapted to spend most of its life on land, though many return to water to reproduce. Its adaptations show how a crab can function in a terrestrial environment.
Cocos nucifera : The coconut palm, a tropical tree cultivated for its fruit, fiber, and oil. Coconut crabs are named for their ability to open coconuts, though they eat many foods.
Aldabra Atoll : A raised coral atoll in the Seychelles and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its isolated ecosystem includes coconut crabs among its large land animals.
IUCN Red List : A global system for assessing species' extinction risk and conservation status. The coconut crab is assessed as Vulnerable because of exploitation and habitat loss.
Decapoda : An order of crustaceans that includes crabs, lobsters, and shrimps, typically with ten walking legs. This is the larger crustacean order that includes coconut crabs.
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