The Coconut crab (Birgus latro): Big, strong, and at risk!

JUN 10 2025 · 20:00

🦀The Coconut crab (Birgus latro): Big, strong, and at risk! 🪶These resilient crabs, which can live up to 60 years, are the largest land-dwelling crustaceans, with legs spanning up to 1 metre and hunting birds all across Aldabra. 🥥After females release their eggs in the water, the larvae float on coconut rafts for weeks as they develop, then sink to the sea floor and crawl up to the shore, where they will spend the rest of their adult life. 🏝️Once on land, it takes 5 years to reach reproductive age. Luxury development happening in these early critical years can result in a drastic reduction in population numbers, which could take decades to restore. Other concerns: ‼️Regulations to avoid poaching by guests and staff have not been disclosed. ‼️We have seen the threat that invasive ants post on Christmas Islands, and the risk of this happening on Assomption has not been addressed. Stay tuned for more incredible photos like this from @thomaspeschak ! 🔗Click the link in our bio to take action! #FriendsOfAldabra #SaveAldabra #UNESCO