Coconut crabs are becoming increasingly scarce. The increasing levels of human activity and pollution have caused a number of issues for existing wildlife. In most cases, habitat destruction has been the primary issue.
Every day, we hear about animals becoming extinct. The world is in peril right now. Rapid industrialization has also had an impact on agriculture. Farmers are attempting to incorporate more and more modern methods in order to maximize yields.
Such efforts are wreaking havoc on the local wildlife in some areas. One such example is the story of the coconut crabs. These crabs are common throughout the Indonesian region. The locals in Indonesia refer to them as “ketam kenari.” The crabs are the world’s largest land crabs. These creatures are one-of-a-kind in a variety of ways.
They can live for up to sixty years and grow to be three feet long. They have claws that are larger than a human grip and have more strength than a human grip. The creatures’ claws are so powerful that they can weigh ten times as much as humans.
Another fascinating fact about crabs is that they are nocturnal creatures. People are generally unaware of this fact because these animals have mostly been photographed during the day. Their name comes from their ability to break the coconut.
The crabs’ claws are so powerful that they can destroy a coconut if necessary. These animals, however, do not only consume coconuts. Their diet also includes a variety of other insects and fruits.
However, a bleak picture of the animals has recently emerged. Several organizations have raised the alarm. Coconut crabs have been discovered to be on the verge of extinction. Let us now learn more about the story in depth.
Why Are Coconut Crabs Disappearing?
Coconut crabs have recently been designated as endangered. According to the IUCN list, the species are “vulnerable.” Neil Cumberlidge is the IUCN’s Freshwater Crustacean Specialist Group leader and a biology professor at the University of North Michigan.
He stated that he was constantly receiving reports about the crab species going missing. Initially, the majority of the reports came from the Pacific region. To make matters worse, missing persons reports have been received in Indonesia as well. To begin with, these crabs were a rare species.
The IUCN Red List classified coconut crabs as having a severe data deficit. People didn’t know much about this particular species of crab. Cumberlidge gathered a group of crab enthusiasts and conducted a thorough investigation into the current state of these creatures. He published his findings in a collection titled “Raffles Bulletin Of Zoology.”
Coconut Crabs Should Be Restored
The current state of coconut crabs is extremely discouraging. One of the primary reasons is the loss of their natural habitat.
Another reason is that crabs are very adaptable. These animals no longer breathe through their gills after spending a long time on the land.
As a result, when these crabs are returned to the water, they drown and die. Scientists have stated that the species’ conservation is critical.
The issue cannot be ignored. Coconut crabs will soon become extinct if the current trend continues.
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