Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Crabs




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.

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.

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I've attended first step meetings 2 days in a row -- they are usually jam-packed with experience and knowledge

no more blackouts and the embarrassment that went with them

that I remind myself every morning to be more compassionate and patient than I was yesterday

for the years I spent working offshore (1981-1984) and the sights I had the opportunity to witness -- from the magnificence of the weather to the beauty of the many species of animals


Life is a roller-coaster. Try to eat a light lunch.
-David Schmaltz


12 comments:

Bill said...

I wonder if those crabs make good house pets?

Anonymous said...

that thing is huge!

Mary Christine said...

I will try to eat a light lunch today.

Scott W said...

My lunch will be very light.

I love crab, imagine the delicious meals that thing would afford.

Gledwood said...

an "arthur-o-pod" is that what you call it? I call it something straight from't horror film!

Lou said...

Offshore of what;)

Queenneenee said...

Holy massive crusteations batman!
Glad they're not here in the states!

Pammie said...

I'm allergic to crabs (shell fish) but they look SO DELICIOUS when people are eating them.

Todd HellsKitchen said...

As a Cancerian, let me say: have a crabby day!

Akannie said...

...wow.

In the event of Karmic retribution, I will never eat a crab again.

Amen.

Trailboss said...

I love me some fresh crab!

Syd said...

I've studied crabs for years but have never seen a live Birgus latro. I wonder if Stephen King thought of them when he wrote about the Lobstrosities.