Coconut Crab - 2018 Uncirculated Cupro Nickel Coin

Coconut crabs are famous for their massive size, weighing over 4kg and with a leg span that can reach over 1 metre. This makes these crabs the largest land-living Arthropod in the world. They are found throughout Indonesia, Indian Ocean and parts of the Pacific. Although their name suggests that they primarily feed on Coconuts, this is not the case and coconuts make up as a small proportion of their diet. They can, however, be found climbing the Coconut Palms and occasionally using a broken coconut shells as protection. Recent footage has shown a coconut crab hunting a Sea bird! Once they get hold of the bird, their powerful claws easily break the bird’s wings and then more crabs that smell the kill will descend on the defenceless bird!

Unfortunately, Coconut crabs have been extensively hunted on islands where there is a human population as their flesh is considered both a delicacy and an aphrodisiac. When the tables are turned and they manage to pinch a human, they can cause considerable pain and will not release their grip for a long time. One technique used to free someone from their powerful grip is to tickle their underbelly!