46. Coconut thief

A giant relative of the hermit crab finds it food not in water but on trees!

This robber crab Birgus latro, lives on the islands of the South west pacific and the Indian oceans.

While young, it lodges in the empty shells – very much like the hermit crab. A mature robber crab can grow

up to 18 inches in length.

The long legs and the enormous pincers, enable the crab to climb the coconut palm trees. Once on the top,

the crab snips off the young coconuts.

Then it climbs down to the ground to enjoy its hard earned meal.