Why Evolution is True is a blog written by Jerry Coyne, centered on evolution and biology but also dealing with diverse topics like politics, culture, and cats.
The coconut crab, or “robber crab” (Birgus latro), is the largest terrestrial arthropod in the world, with individuals weighing up to four kg (about 9 pounds). They have a wide range: But because of their size and the fact that they’re tasty, they’ve been largely driven extinct by humans on populated islands. Here’s how big they are: They … Continue reading The mighty pinch of the coconut crab
Reader Dennis Hansen (see crab post below) has just uploaded a video to YouTube showing a bit of a color-choice experiment he’s doing with the giant tortoises of Aldabara, but then. . . well, I’ll let him describe it: What I do have a video of is a coconut crab interfering with a colour choice … Continue reading Moar on coconut crabs
Update: Reader Dennis Hansen, a biologist who works on the Indian Ocean island of Aldabra in the Seychelles, which (like the Galapagos) has giant tortoises, sends three coconut crab photos and a note: Here’s a few photos of coconut crabs from Aldabra, for your perusal. They leave the giant tortoises alone, it seems. At least … Continue reading Now that’s a crab
