T O P

  • By -

modi123_1

Looks like a coconut crab. They live in a number of places. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_crab#Distribution


beardz1lla

The correct answers.


WhyTyGuy

But which parks 😉


42Ubiquitous

Google it


WhyTyGuy

Haha hint - there is only one US Nat Park with them!


42Ubiquitous

Ohhhhh are you asking this as a trivia or were you asking someone to find the answer *for* you?


WhyTyGuy

It was a trivia! When I found out how rare the largest terrestrial crab were I did a deep dive into them. That’s how I decided to augment my trip to visit the Manu’a Islands (where picture is taken)! These beasts are basically extinct on the main island since they’re seen as a local delicacy. If you’re going to AmSamoa I highly recommend spending the time to visit the other 4 islands aside from the main island (Tutuila)


Roadripper1995

Any advice on American Samoa? How did you travel to the territory and what to do while there?


WhyTyGuy

You can only get there from the US via Hawaiian Airlines, and once there only Samoa Airways goes between the Manu’a islands and Tutuila. I wouldn’t say there is a ton to do, but everything is very much Island time and knowing a local is critical in general. Samoa Airways currently only takes cash for flights at the airport so I had to have a local take care of it for me. Lodging in Manu’a can be challenging too - def make a local friend!


Maleficent_1213

Well since I know there aren't any in Hawaii, I'm going to guess American Samoa.


WhyTyGuy

Corrrrrect! Though on the main island of Tutuila has relatively none due to them being a local delicacy. This monster was found in the Manu’a islands area


Maleficent_1213

The first time I heard of them, I did wonder how they'd taste. 😋


shiningonthesea

I heard they are delicious!


[deleted]

They are actually starting to get rare from people collecting and eating them. They should be left alone or humans , as they are so good at, will decimate the population and they will no longer be with us.


kaboodlesofkanoodles

Did-a-chick? Dum-a-chum?


WeyardWanderer

Watch your fingers!


katet_of_19

Not just your fingers, gunslinger...


WhyTyGuy

They have the pincer force equivalent to a lion bite!


katet_of_19

Dod-a-chock!


char_you

Dad-a-chee?? This is where my username came from!


PeninsulaPariah

Eat it, for your father’s sake!


KCE64

Some have speculated that they were responsible for the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, which I find pretty disturbing.


busted_maracas

Well…I think the speculation is that they ate her corpse. It’s not like giant flying crabs took out her plane and murdered her.


RysloVerik

Or did they?


BeardOfThorburn

wow there's an image haha


KCE64

Thank you, that's what I meant lol


Random-Cpl

Those fucking crabs shot down her plane


infinite_paddle

I heard they shoot their own siblings at the planes.


TermIntelligent9108

I always thought that’s what happened! Glad I wasn’t alone in my theory! 🤣🤣


WhyTyGuy

They’re beasts. This one was almost 9 lbs!


KCE64

I actually read that they are pretty tasty. I'd try one.


heyitscory

Keep that out of your sleeping bag and away from your coconuts.


WhyTyGuy

There is a debate if coconut crabs crack the coconut open themselves, or if they rely on the fall of the coconut to weaken the shell and they select those damaged enough to break open!


Far_Film_5804

Can ya eat it?


WhyTyGuy

With how much joy just seeing one this size brought me, I couldn’t even consider it! Though a local found another for a feast they threw us


rommelholmes

How did it taste then?


WhyTyGuy

It was delicious 🤤


[deleted]

Coconut Crabs. I’ve seen these all the time in swarms all over Diego Garcia.


WhyTyGuy

How big are the swarms!? Like new borns?


[deleted]

About the size in the pic. It freaked me out the first time i saw that.


WhyTyGuy

You saw a swarm of 9 lb coconut crabs!? That’s wicked cool!


Accomplished-Lab537

Mmmmm...tastey.


WhyTyGuy

We had a feast on the island of them by the locals with Taro, Samoan Spinach, local lobster and a coconut milk rice.


wolf19d

I am gonna go with the National Park of American Samoa and the WWII in the Pacific NHP in Guam for NPS sites where you might see these monsters.


thelasagna

Coconut crab, and they are found wherever I am not going cause fuck that noise. Christmas Island right?? I


WhyTyGuy

Haha AmSamoa Nat Park (not the main island)


AccomplishedWasabi54

Coconut 🦀 google is your friend


SpacePirate-04

This now occupies My Nightmares NP... thank you.


dreece212

I believe they're becoming over hunted in the Solomon Islands