Coconut crabs are a type of hermit crab that outgrew needing a shell. When they are tiny, young coconut crabs carry small shells for protection, just like their relatives. But as they grow — and they can live for more than 40 years — they become too large for any shell and instead grow a tough, armoured exoskeleton of their own.
Their claws are extraordinarily strong — strong enough to crack open a coconut, which is how they got their name. They grip the husk with one claw, peel it back strip by strip, then crack the hard inner shell to reach the white flesh inside. This takes patience, but coconut crabs are very determined eaters.
Climbing is one of their superpowers. Their hooked legs grip tree bark perfectly, and they have been seen ascending trunks six metres tall or more. They come down headfirst — something most animals cannot manage. At night they scavenge the forest floor for fallen fruit, seeds and other food.
In Vanuatu, coconut crabs are considered a special creature and are an important part of local food and cultural heritage. Communities take care to make sure their numbers stay healthy. On some islands they are very common, and seeing one ambling across the forest floor at night is a memorable experience for any visitor.