The Indian Ocean - The Spice Islands - Coconut crabs, south of Zanzibar
Locations
The Indian Ocean - coastal waters
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Introduction
The tropical Indian Ocean is home to the Spice Islands. Characterised by beautiful sandy beaches, fringing coral reefs and coastal mangrove forests, this is a vibrant nursery area for marine life, such as whale sharks, crabs, seahorses and a great variety of fish. The coastal areas are where humans have the most direct impact on the ocean's resources.
Coconut crabs, south of Zanzibar
Overview
Coconut crabs are the largest land crabs, but they begin life in the sea. The adults can weigh up to four kilograms and measure as much as one metre toe to toe. These animals feed at night and use their powerful claws to climb trees, husk coconuts (hence the name) and lift weights up to 28 kg.
There are two colour variations (purple-blue and orange-red). Finding both shades in one place indicates a healthy genetic mix. Coconut crabs deposit their larvae in the sea where the juveniles develop. They have to live near salt water and are especially vulnerable to loss of habitat due to coastal development. They are also a prized delicacy and have been widely hunted. It is hoped that the currents of the Indian Ocean may distribute crab larvae and repopulate islands where numbers are declining.
| Importance: | An evolutionary marvel - their respiratory organs are half way between gills and lungs and they use their legs to keep the tissues around their modified gills moist with sea water. |
| Dive category: | No diving required as they are land-based. |
| Access: | Highly restricted. Although not listed as endangered, the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) has classified them on the Red List of Threatened Species 2008 as "data deficient". |
Interesting for
- The spectacular-looking coconut crab
- Arkive's biological profile, including images and video.
- Coconut crab (birgus latro)
- Coconut Crab conservation
- The listing for coconut crabs on the IUCN List of Threatened Species.
- IUCN Red List
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