And we think we have Crabs

Fish & Invertebrate sightings and descriptions, hosted by resident NWDC ID expert Janna Nichols (nwscubamom).
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Dusty2
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And we think we have Crabs

Post by Dusty2 »

If I ran into something like this and didn't know they existed, I'd have a cardiac!


Coconut Crab (Birgus latro) is the largest terrestrial arthropod in the world. It is known for its ability to crack coconuts with its strong pincers in order to eat the contents.

It is sometimes called the robber crab because some coconut crabs are rumored to steal shiny items such as pots and silverware from houses and tents.

The second photo gives you a good idea of how large these crabs are - a coconut crab is seeking food from a black trashcan.
CoconutC.jpg
file000.jpg
COCONUT CRABS
The coconut crab is a large edible land crab related to the hermit crab, and are found in the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans . They eat coconuts for a living! How would you like to be on an island and come across a crab that is more than 3 feet from head to tail and weighs up to 40 pounds, with a pair of large pincers strong enough to open coconuts! They can climb trees too, but they only eat coconuts that have already fallen to the ground. Coconut crab meat has been considered a local delicacy
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Pez7378
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Re: And we think we have Crabs

Post by Pez7378 »

WOW. I've heard of these, but I've never actually seen one. Interesting Post Dusty, thanks.
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Sounder
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Re: And we think we have Crabs

Post by Sounder »

Dude. :smt119

That's a big crab. It look delicious, but it doesn't appear to be as forgiving as a Red Rock or Dungie if you slip-up and get caught. My bones aren't as hard as a coconut. :pale:

I bet they're delicious... and if they're a land-crab, they're fresh until they reach the pot!!
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Dusty2
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Re: And we think we have Crabs

Post by Dusty2 »

Yeh and since they feed on coconuts they ought to be really tasty. No fishy taste with these guys!
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spatman
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Re: And we think we have Crabs

Post by spatman »

wow! i would pee my weezle if i saw one of those things crawling up my garbage can.
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Re: And we think we have Crabs

Post by dsteding »

spatman wrote:wow! i would pee my weezle if i saw one of those things crawling up my garbage can.
You'd just be looking for a reason to pee your weezle. Again.
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Re: And we think we have Crabs

Post by spatman »

dsteding wrote:
spatman wrote:wow! i would pee my weezle if i saw one of those things crawling up my garbage can.
You'd just be looking for a reason to pee your weezle. Again.
what do you mean, again? i haven't even got a weezle yet!






that was the USIA exotherm you're referring to.
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Re: And we think we have Crabs

Post by nwscubamom »

That is one gigantor crab! That shot of it next to the garbage can is CREEPY!
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Re: And we think we have Crabs

Post by defied »

So now we have to position a garbage can filled with water and shiny things on top of a burner for the crab to go after.

That way no fist/claw fight will ensue... I'll get you you wascaly wabbit!!

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Re: And we think we have Crabs

Post by airsix »

spatman wrote:what do you mean, again? i haven't even got a weezle yet!
You sure? I totally thought this was you and your (limp-wristed) weasel. :evil4: I kid, I kid!
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Re: And we think we have Crabs

Post by spatman »

airsix wrote:You sure? I totally thought this was you and your (limp-wristed) weasel. :evil4: I kid, I kid
dude, that's my blond ferret, not a weezle. get it straight.
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Re: And we think we have Crabs

Post by John Rawlings »

spatman wrote: what do you mean, again? I haven't even got a weezle yet!
Ahem! We can rectify that anytime you're ready! I'm just mailing one down to Oregon later this week, as a matter of fact!
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Re: And we think we have Crabs

Post by Zen Diver »

I second Janna's creepy vote. EEEUUUUWWWW!!!!!!

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Re: And we think we have Crabs

Post by Burntchef »

there is a episode of no reservations where bourdain gets to eat one of those monsters, he did it was very tasty . so would you if you ate coconuts all day.
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Re: And we think we have Crabs

Post by LCF »

I've never seen one that big, but the grounds around our hut in Indonesia, and the lawn of the house we stayed in in Tahiti, were both riddles with burrows for coconut crabs. Most of them are quite a bit smaller.
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Re: And we think we have Crabs

Post by airsix »

I want to see that crab and Matt's blond ferret duke it out.
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Re: And we think we have Crabs

Post by Cuppie »

just for the record...spatman, if you did have a weezle and you peed it, you would be thankful for its wicking properties!!!

do people really eat these crabs or are they just a big nuisance (sp)?
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Re: And we think we have Crabs

Post by Penopolypants »

spatman wrote:
dsteding wrote:
spatman wrote:wow! i would pee my weezle if i saw one of those things crawling up my garbage can.
You'd just be looking for a reason to pee your weezle. Again.
what do you mean, again? i haven't even got a weezle yet!






that was the USIA exotherm you're referring to.
"I peed my USIA exotherm!" just doesn't roll of the tongue the same way. :dontknow:
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spatman
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Re: And we think we have Crabs

Post by spatman »

airsix wrote:I want to see that crab and Matt's blond ferret duke it out.
-Ben
my money's on the crab.
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Re: And we think we have Crabs

Post by spatman »

Penopolypants wrote:"I peed my USIA exotherm!" just doesn't roll of the tongue the same way. :dontknow:
but it does roll down my leg better. ba-dum-dum.
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Re: And we think we have Crabs

Post by Chenari »

spatman wrote:
Penopolypants wrote:"I peed my USIA exotherm!" just doesn't roll of the tongue the same way. :dontknow:
but it does roll down my leg better. ba-dum-dum.
dum-dum, is an excellent way of describing that joke, Spatman. :evil4: :evil4:
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Re: And we think we have Crabs

Post by Greg Jensen »

Cuppie wrote:
do people really eat these crabs or are they just a big nuisance (sp)?
Unfortunately, people have eaten too many of them and they are on the red list. I once met an anthropologist who regularly worked in New Guinea, and one of the things he always looked forward to was eating coconut crabs when he visited. They apparently have a coconut oil flavor to them.
Many years ago the Seattle Aquarium set up a big display of them, promoted it with posters and billboards (a closeup picture saying something like "relax, they only want to eat coconuts") and such. Turned out to be a dud as the crabs stayed hidden most of the time.
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Re: And we think we have Crabs

Post by Dmitchell »

No doubt that they are big but if you scale that picture out, that garbage can isn't as big as it looks. Look at the expansion gaps in the sidewalk and then the crab, I would guess it's not more then 24" long. That's still big but not as big as the picture makes it out to be.
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Re: And we think we have Crabs

Post by Tom Nic »

I'd like to see one square off with a Puget Sound King Crab...

And then eat them both! :rr:

(Relax, relax, not going to do either any time soon, and I know that taking PSKC is verbotten in WA.)
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