Scary Process

This strange process where coconut crab leaves it old exoskeleton behind, the crab is left behind much more vulnerable to get attacked by other animals. Do save themselves, they eat their old shell to increase the process to get the new shell as soon as possible. “[Coconut crabs] that are disturbed before they have consumed the entire shell often have soft exoskeletons until they have time to re-accumulate the necessary calcium and other minerals,” Michelle said of the molting process.

Other Than Humans

While there have been no other cases except humans, but these crabs are found to be aggressive towards young chickens, dogs, and even kittens. According to the locals, who don’t mind these carbs and consider them really special. 

Other Name

Other than the coconut crabs, this species is also called as the robber crabs. Why robber crabs? “The reason they’re called robber crabs is because they steal everything,” said Linda Cash marketing manager of Christmas Island. Further added, “If you leave something lying around, you can be pretty sure that a robber crab will take it away.”

What Mike Thinks

Mike Pierrot who grew up on this amazing Christmas Island says, “I can see how people would find them creepy, but they are pretty timid creatures and it’s funny how much people are freaked out by them, I think this is a pastime lots of locals have had,” he said of posing with them, “and I’ve handled them before so wasn’t worried at all.”

Protected Species

The tourism association of Christmas Island has informed the people that they consider these coconut crabs a very special creature of their own land and tries their best to protect them. “One of the reasons Christmas Island has the largest robber crab population remaining on the planet is because our crabs are protected,” said tourism association.

Mike Clears It

After Mike posted this image with the one coconut crab in  his hands, the association cleared the doubt of Mike hurting the crab saying, “This crab was not captured for food, it was for a picture only – it is illegal to eat coconut crabs on Christmas Island and is a $5,500 (£2,700) fine for doing so – we protect our crabs, we do not eat them.” Good to see that people are taking care of this amazing species.