Coconut Crab
Birgus latro · BUR-gus LAH-troh
nocturnalsolitaryVulnerable
EdibleUnfriendlyDangerous
Superpower
The largest land arthropod — it can climb trees and crack a coconut with its claws.
At a glance
- Size
- typically 40 cm, up to 100 cm
- Lifespan
- 40–60 years
Habitat
Tropical island coasts and forests above the tide line.
Diet
Coconuts, fruit, carrion and anything it can crack open.
Can I eat it?
Yes — edible · tastiness 7/10.
How to cook: Eaten as a delicacy in places, but protected and declining.
Safety
- Dangerous4/10
Its pinch is among the strongest of any animal — mind your fingers.
Fun facts
- It is the biggest land-living arthropod on Earth.
- Adults drown in seawater — they breathe air and live on land.
- Its grip is powerful enough to crack open a coconut.