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Coconut Crab (not a recipe)

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 8:50 pm
by California Girl
The ‘coconut crab’ (or birgus latro) is the largest terrestrial arthropod in the world. It is known for its ability to crack coconuts with its strong pincers and 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. More on this crab below the pix. The second photo gives you a good idea of how large these crabs are. This one is seeking food inside a black trash can.

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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. Coconut crab meat has been considered a local delicacy.

http://entertheoctopus.wordpress.com/20 ... nut-crabs/

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 9:17 pm
by bevm
Margo, if I saw that thing on my trash can I would freak out! I'm sure they're delicious but I'd rather meet it after it's been boiled and served with a nice drawn butter and lemon sauce..
Very interesting..

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 9:40 pm
by flip-flop
If I ever see anything like that in real life I will drop dead of a heart attack. YIKES.

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:19 pm
by pipanale
I saw Bourdain eat them on the Tahiti show. The meat apparently tastes like coconut.

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:35 pm
by loria
*gulp*
Zoiks that is ONE big crustacean!

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:42 pm
by Joshie
...

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:06 pm
by bevm
How about being marooned after slathering yourself with coconut oil! :shock:

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:47 pm
by Wakey
I'd boil it with garlic, corn, & new potatoes! :shock:

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 12:42 am
by mahobayb
Now... that is scary :shock:

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 2:19 am
by linne
These pics could give me nightmare!

Linne

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 6:05 am
by JT
bevm wrote:How about being marooned after slathering yourself with coconut oil! :shock:

I got a list of slimeballs that I wouldn't mind marooning there with the oil....

Very impressive, Cowgirl!

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 7:24 am
by PSUWethr
Eew, eew, eew.....that thing reminds me too much of a spider, and I can't stand spiders. There is not enough butter in the world that that big boy!

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 7:34 am
by jayseadee
I have no problems slaying lobsters in my kitchen, but I don't think I would get anywhere near that bad boy. Yikes!

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 7:46 am
by Maggy
Wow - that's a huge crab.

We were told about these crabs when we were in the Cook Islands, but they also said the locals had eaten almost all of them, so we never saw any. Only large holes in the ground.

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 7:58 am
by stjdeb
Sh**!!!! The picture freaked me out, I hope I only find it on a plate in the future!