A few years ago (2008) when I was assigned in Gag Island, Raja Ampat, Papua (see my posting: http://budipatria.blogspot.com/2008/12/gag-island.html), I was very surprised find coconut crab there, cause i never see it before. It look like indonesian peoples said "umang - umang or keong" but with big size and without home.
Coconut Crab (Birgus latro) is the largest terrestrial arthropod in the world. It is known for its ability to crack coconuts with its strong pincers in order to eat the contents.
It is sometimes called the robber crab because some coconut crabs are rumored to steal shiny items such as pots and silverware from houses and tents.
The coconut crab is a large edible land crab related to the hermit crab, and are found in Raja Ampat Islands. They eat coconuts for a living!
How would you like to be on an island and come across a crab that is more than 3 feet from head to tail and weighs up to 40 pounds, with a pair of large pincers strong enough to open coconuts! They can climb trees too, but they only eat coconuts that have already fallen to the ground.
The local people said coconut crab meat is delicious, but I've never tried it
I'am interest to take it home, but I find it hard to believe when my mom would want such a creature in our houses. It’s not only their appearance and size, but also their strength. If we’re not careful, a Coconut Crab could easily crush one of our limbs. Just think, if it can crush a coconut, what could it do to our arm.
-2008- Gag Island
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