Coconut Crab (Birgus latro)

【Rearing Temperature】25-30℃
【Adult Coloration】Generally purplish-blue, orange-red, etc.
【Food】Coconuts, fruits, vegetables, crab food, fish, shrimp, etc.
【Adult Size】Body length including legs can reach about 1 meter
【Living Environment】Terrestrial, semi-aquatic (avoid deep water)

Care Instructions:

• They prefer spacious, well-ventilated environments. Glass tanks or reptile terrariums can be used for housing.
• Substrate is essential. Coir, sand, and moss are recommended. Driftwood and hiding places (coconut bricks, sand, moss, etc. available online) should be provided.
• It is recommended to prepare a separate molting container with a thick layer of coir for them to burrow into.
• Insufficient humidity can lead to dry gills, so regular misting is required.
• Hermit crabs cannot drink tap water directly as it will kill them. Purified water can be used.
• Both a freshwater dish and a saltwater dish must be provided.
• Daily feeding can include fruits, fish and shrimp meat, or specialized crab food.
• When changing shells, you can choose shells that are 1-2cm longer and have an opening 1-2cm wider than their old shell.
• They are skilled climbers, so the enclosure needs to be covered to prevent escape.
• Coconut crabs grow slowly, taking about 20 years to reach adulthood. During molting, they may self-mutilate or cannibalize, so they should be isolated and observed.

Coconut crabs are a type of hermit crab that can grow up to 1 meter in length, making them not only the largest terrestrial crabs but also the largest terrestrial arthropods. With a massive body and a weight that can reach up to 8KG, coconut crabs have a hard exoskeleton and two strong, powerful claws. They are expert climbers, particularly adept at scaling straight coconut trees. They are named for their ability to use their powerful claws to crack open hard coconut shells to eat the coconut meat. In the early stages of reproduction, young coconut crabs are similar to other terrestrial hermit crabs. From megalopa to juvenile crab, they also carry a snail shell, protecting their abdomen within it, until their abdomen develops a hardened carapace and they shed the snail shell.

(Note: The pincers of a coconut crab are extremely powerful and can easily snap bones. Caution is advised during handling, avoid direct hand contact.)