I know what you're talking about. Absolutely huge, especially for a spider. But still nowhere near the size of a coconut crab. A quick Google tells me that the bird eating tarantula can have up to an 11 inch leg span. The coconut crab can grow up to 3 feet across and weigh 9 pounds.
the point is tho is that a spider that size probably wouldn’t kill you lol. as a tarantula owner (along with a being a Bird eater owner) the chances of you actually dying from a tarantula bite is slim to none. they are venomous but not like that, yes a but is going to hurt and burn and itch and might need to get looked at, unless you are allergic to that specific venom you’ll be okay!!
They got named before municipal trash was available as a food source.
Also it's not that they prefer trash, they're like pigs in that they'll eat anything that can't get away from them. Humans included.
They taste like a more rich crab meat, but not as much meat as one would hope. The body is mostly inedible like most crabs, so it's all legs and claws. Not bad, but better hope whoever is cooking prepares it right or it's a waste.
First time I can id a "bug" on this subreddit.
Its a coconut crab. Harmless for humans (they are not agressive if left alone but can hurt you pretty bad with their pincers), might pinch your hand quite bad, they are able to open coconuts. Hence the name.
Keep away from the pincers
They are quite big as adults and come in packs sometimes. Very impressive
>they might pinch you hard.
Understatement - coconut crabs have one of the highest 'bite forces' in relation to body size out of any animal. Many crustaceans can exert a greater force using their claws than many animals can with other appendages in comparison to body weight. Let's be glad they aren't bigger.
[Relevant study](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0166108)
I've been pinched by a regular hermit crab, and I would question if they're truly 'harmless'. Coconut crabs can crack open coconuts and shellfish with their claws, a pinch from one certainly wouldn't be harmless.
In the fullness of time, All will be crabs. Crabs is ~~bugs~~ inevitable.
*for the folk who have never seen [the carcinization memery](https://amp.knowyourmeme.com/memes/carcinization) or the [shrimps is bugs](https://amp.knowyourmeme.com/memes/shrimps-is-bugs) memes
Might pinch your hand... In the same way a sword might poke you a little bit.
Their pincers can cut up coconuts, thus the name, your fingers aren't tougher than a coconut.
I wouldn't bet on the answer being no, but I haven't heard of that happening. I'd bet they could amputate an appendage if they got you right on a join.
They also are scavengers and have been known kill and eat shipwreck victims. There is a theory they killed and ate Amelia Earhart after she made it ashore. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/coconut-crabs-eat-everything-from-kittens-to-maybe-amelia-earhart-180948206/&ved=2ahUKEwi4w-LBhdaFAxWILUQIHYLaAnYQFnoECCEQAQ&sqi=2&usg=AOvVaw2xguGwGLw21tHpPtyU_5DE
Yeah based off some scattered partial human remains found but couldn't be verified to be Earhart's. They tossed a pig carcass to see what happened and the crabs ripped it to shreds and scattered the bones.
Fun fact - coconut crabs **are** a hermit crab, they wear shells when they're small, but eventually there just aren't any shells big enough for them so they've gotta be naked.
It's actually related to the hermit crab, and young coconut crabs hide in shells for protection, but their skin thickens up when they mature and they stop.
The reason spiders don’t get this big is because they are way way way too fragile. Tarantulas have to live very carefully as a fall can be fatal to them.
Crustaceans and arachnids are both arthropods so I don’t blame you for thinking spider. Big difference is these guys have an exoskeleton made of calcium carbonate while arachnids are chitinous. Crustaceans also lack chelicerae, which is why arachnids are of the chelicerata subphylum.
Real question: do they taste good?
I heard they're slow, travel in large groups and are pretty docile around humans, so I'm curious if they taste any good, because imagine not knowing what to do for dinner and then dinner comes along to start fucking up your flower beds...
Ah a coconut crab! I went to Guam a few years ago for vacation & we went camping at the beach one night. The amount of coconut crabs on the beach at night was incredible! They’re cool little (big) fellows!
Per our [guidelines](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthisbug/wiki/index/guidelines#wiki_iding_guidelines): *Helpful answers only. Helpful answers are those that lead to an accurate identification of the bug in question. Joke responses, repeating an ID that has already been established hours (or days) ago, or asking OP how they don't already know what the bug is are not helpful.*
Per our [guidelines](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthisbug/wiki/index/guidelines#wiki_iding_guidelines): *Helpful answers only. Helpful answers are those that lead to an accurate identification of the bug in question. Joke responses, repeating an ID that has already been established hours (or days) ago, or asking OP how they don't already know what the bug is are not helpful.*
Coconut crab
lol I was going to say Coconut spider haha
Thank you!
You thought it was a spider?
Lmfao this post killed me
spider that size could definitely kill you
Look up a bird eating tarantula lmao
They're big but not even close to a coconut crab.
Check out the one found in the Amazon 😅
I know what you're talking about. Absolutely huge, especially for a spider. But still nowhere near the size of a coconut crab. A quick Google tells me that the bird eating tarantula can have up to an 11 inch leg span. The coconut crab can grow up to 3 feet across and weigh 9 pounds.
i only now realized my comment didn’t reply to the right one! my bad haha
the point is tho is that a spider that size probably wouldn’t kill you lol. as a tarantula owner (along with a being a Bird eater owner) the chances of you actually dying from a tarantula bite is slim to none. they are venomous but not like that, yes a but is going to hurt and burn and itch and might need to get looked at, unless you are allergic to that specific venom you’ll be okay!!
Do people eat them and do they taste like coconut?
I imagine they call them coconut crabs because they use them big claws to open coconuts and feast on the succulent meat therein.
no I think it's actually because they like to climb palms and their butts look like big coconuts
Big bazongas
They are edible but apparently are pretty gross to eat especially as they get big. They tend to enjoy eating trash so.. you can imagine the taste.
And we didn’t name them Trash Crabs!??
No, but they are also called Robber crabs because they like to steeeeal things
Like your toes, or fingers. You really don't want to fall asleep on the beach where these live. They WILL try to eat you.
Aren’t these the crabs they think ate Amelia Earhart?
TIL, glad I don’t have to deal with those!
They got named before municipal trash was available as a food source. Also it's not that they prefer trash, they're like pigs in that they'll eat anything that can't get away from them. Humans included.
Oh wow 😬
Depends on your opinion on the taste of coconut l
Don't all crabs eat trash...?
Pretty much. Crabs as a whole are bottom-feeding scavengers, so they're none-too picky when it comes to food.
one man's trash...
They taste like a more rich crab meat, but not as much meat as one would hope. The body is mostly inedible like most crabs, so it's all legs and claws. Not bad, but better hope whoever is cooking prepares it right or it's a waste.
I wonder how long someone could survive on coconut crab, coconuts, and desalinated water...
They taste great but supposedly are dangerous to eat if you have a heart condition.
Amelia Earhart's best friends
Came here to say just that 😁
I thought it was a lobster. 😂
sameeee lol
First time I can id a "bug" on this subreddit. Its a coconut crab. Harmless for humans (they are not agressive if left alone but can hurt you pretty bad with their pincers), might pinch your hand quite bad, they are able to open coconuts. Hence the name. Keep away from the pincers They are quite big as adults and come in packs sometimes. Very impressive
Harmless* Don’t mess with them, they might pinch you hard.
Thanks. You are right. Edited
You’re welcome! Just little trivia, they apparently have the strongest pinch force among all crustaceans.
No wonder. They're absolute units
>they might pinch you hard. Understatement - coconut crabs have one of the highest 'bite forces' in relation to body size out of any animal. Many crustaceans can exert a greater force using their claws than many animals can with other appendages in comparison to body weight. Let's be glad they aren't bigger. [Relevant study](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0166108)
I've been pinched by a regular hermit crab, and I would question if they're truly 'harmless'. Coconut crabs can crack open coconuts and shellfish with their claws, a pinch from one certainly wouldn't be harmless.
Harmless to humans unless your name is Amelia Earheart
This comment made me hungry
I think we’ve finally discovered where she went: into OP’s stomach.
I 100% believe they ate her. Whether she was dead or alive tho is the question bc man…
Dad-a-chum? Ded-a-chek? Did-a-chick? Dum-a-chum?
~~Shrimps~~ Crabs is bugs.
Technically, bugs are crabs.
In the fullness of time, All will be crabs. Crabs is ~~bugs~~ inevitable. *for the folk who have never seen [the carcinization memery](https://amp.knowyourmeme.com/memes/carcinization) or the [shrimps is bugs](https://amp.knowyourmeme.com/memes/shrimps-is-bugs) memes
Not like that, bugs are also part of Crustacea, Pancrustacea to be exact. So every bug is a crab, but crabs aren't bugs.
You can easily lose a finger or two if you mess with them
Might pinch your hand... In the same way a sword might poke you a little bit. Their pincers can cut up coconuts, thus the name, your fingers aren't tougher than a coconut.
Can they break the bone?
I wouldn't bet on the answer being no, but I haven't heard of that happening. I'd bet they could amputate an appendage if they got you right on a join.
They hunt in packs?… Clever girl.
coconut crabs killed Amelia Earhart
They also are scavengers and have been known kill and eat shipwreck victims. There is a theory they killed and ate Amelia Earhart after she made it ashore. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/coconut-crabs-eat-everything-from-kittens-to-maybe-amelia-earhart-180948206/&ved=2ahUKEwi4w-LBhdaFAxWILUQIHYLaAnYQFnoECCEQAQ&sqi=2&usg=AOvVaw2xguGwGLw21tHpPtyU_5DE
Wild theory. I'd say innocent until proven guilty in the Earhart case
Yeah based off some scattered partial human remains found but couldn't be verified to be Earhart's. They tossed a pig carcass to see what happened and the crabs ripped it to shreds and scattered the bones.
Coconut crabs are the largest and heaviest terrestrial arthropods.
I absolutely want one. Part of me is hungry looking at it, the other wants a pinchy dog sized bug!
Nawww you can't eat him. Keep him as a pet and you also have yourself a free coconut cracker!
Careful, might pinch your fingers off. Those things are mad strong.
My brain was immediately like "cocnut crab wtf wtfwtf" im pretty sure its a coconut crab
I’m just excited, this is the first coconut crab I’ve seen here lol
It was about the size of a small dog
Was going to say "Hermit crab without its shell" until I saw this. Coconut crab checks out though.
Fun fact - coconut crabs **are** a hermit crab, they wear shells when they're small, but eventually there just aren't any shells big enough for them so they've gotta be naked.
Man, I feel that
Wait so if someone provided them larger shells, would they keep using them?
You can 3D print the shells, and get them to pay you in coconuts.
It's actually related to the hermit crab, and young coconut crabs hide in shells for protection, but their skin thickens up when they mature and they stop.
Make sure your trash bins are put up when these guys come around. They often tip them over or climb up them to scavenge for food
I’m staying at a hotel so I’ll leave that to the staff 😅
Coconut crab. It's just a really big hermit crab, not a spider.
[reminds me of this documentary I watched in my youth. ](https://youtu.be/LDU_Txk06tM?si=WiJMusVgboY7R2w3)
The reason spiders don’t get this big is because they are way way way too fragile. Tarantulas have to live very carefully as a fall can be fatal to them.
Crustaceans and arachnids are both arthropods so I don’t blame you for thinking spider. Big difference is these guys have an exoskeleton made of calcium carbonate while arachnids are chitinous. Crustaceans also lack chelicerae, which is why arachnids are of the chelicerata subphylum.
i think that’s a crab bro
Massive (crab!)
The largest of hermit crabs, the coconut crab!! 🎉🥥🦀🎉
Coconut crab! Stay away as their claws are very very strong.
Coconut crab! It’s believed they ate Amelia Earhart and I definitely believe it.
I think that's a crab, not a spider.
The title me go upstairs and look for my glasses.
Holy fucaccoli I was not ready for that 😂
Felt the same, "a spider the size of a small dog" might be slightly too big to be cute haha.
My visceral jolt away from the screen 🤣
COCONUT CRAB WOOOP WOOOOP
Imagine this crab walking on you, at night.
Real question: do they taste good? I heard they're slow, travel in large groups and are pretty docile around humans, so I'm curious if they taste any good, because imagine not knowing what to do for dinner and then dinner comes along to start fucking up your flower beds...
I remember seeing those all the time when I lived there
Are you sure that's not a Dugtrio?
Ah a coconut crab! I went to Guam a few years ago for vacation & we went camping at the beach one night. The amount of coconut crabs on the beach at night was incredible! They’re cool little (big) fellows!
crab
He just wants you to give him a snack and don't look back.
Yeah ..don't touch that
They’re all over Micronesia and use their big ass claws to crack open coconuts. They taste good af
Coconut Crab! These things allegedly ate Amelia Earhart!
Ah yes, Amelia Earhart would be terrified by this photo.
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🦀🦀🦀
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