Giant Coconut Crab

  Images of the giant coconut crab have been circulating on the internet lately, but what most people don't realize is that this crab is closely related to the common hermit crab.  The juveniles use shells to protect their abdomen, but unlike the hermit crab they outgrow their shells permanently once their abdomens harden.  The giant coconut crab is the largest terrestrial arthropod in the world with a three foot leg diameter and weighing around 9bls.  It gets its name because of its ability to crack a coconut open with its claws.  They are omnivores and live on the islands in the indo-pacific region, where they are lovingly referred to by the locals as palm thief do their scavenger tendencies.