Gerald McCormack, CINHT
Is it true that hermit-crabs develop into Coconut Crabs?
Juvenile and adult coconut crabs – Cook Islands – Gerald McCormack
The Coconut Crab (Birgus latro) is the world’s largest land-crab, often reaching 5kg. They take 7-12 years to reach sexual maturity, and can live more than 50 years. They are nocturnal omnivores, with a preference for coconut meat. Traditional names for large Coconut Crabs include: Unga, Unga Kaveu, Ūngākave‘u, Kaveu, Unga Koveu, and Unga Puku‘ara. Names for smaller ones include Toromimi and Unga ‘Onu.
Adult Coconut Crabs usually live within a few hundred metres of the shore, although they sometimes wander inland more than a kilometre. Years ago I met a large blue one on the summit of Mount ‘Ikurangi (485m elevation and about 2.5km from the shore).
Coconut Crabs are usually blue although some are dull orange-red. The colour is not related to age or sex.
