The Robber Crab: A Giant Land Invertebrate

🦀The robber crab is the largest terrestrial invertebrate on Earth and can weigh up to 4 kg, the same as a newborn baby.

🥥Coconuts are a favorite food of robber crabs, and they have been known to carry them for long distances.

🌴The robber crab is a skilled coconut opener, using its powerful pincers to rip off the husk and drill through the seed.

🏝️Robber crabs have filled a niche on undisturbed islands where there is little competition from other animals.

🌊Despite their dominance on land, robber crabs cannot survive in water and would drown in minutes.

How big can a robber crab grow?

—The largest robber crabs can weigh up to 4 kg, the same as a newborn baby, and have a leg span of 1 meter.

What do robber crabs eat?

—Robber crabs have a special fondness for coconuts and are also known as coconut crabs.

How do robber crabs open coconuts?

—Robber crabs use their powerful pincers to rip off the husk and drill through the seed to access the nutritious meat inside.

Why are robber crabs so big on undisturbed islands?

—With little competition from other animals, the robber crabs have filled a unique ecological niche and can grow to massive sizes.

Can robber crabs survive in water?

—No, robber crabs are terrestrial creatures and would drown in water within minutes.

00:02The robber crab, the largest terrestrial invertebrate, is found on undisturbed islands in the Pacific.

00:23These crabs can weigh up to 4 kg and have a leg span of 1 meter.

01:17Only on undisturbed islands can you see robber crabs in large numbers.

02:08Robber crabs have evolved to fill a niche normally occupied by medium-sized mammals.

02:31Coconuts are one of the favorite foods of the robber crab.