In a strange sequence of events, officials with Hawaii's Department of Agriculture reported that an illegally transported Coconut Crab was found roaming down Honolulu's Salt Lake Boulevard early this past weekend. And while the species may sound like a small an unassuming small beach crab, with claws strong enough to pierce through coconuts, the discovery of one on the island has researchers and department officials on edge from the possibilities of what may come.
Only three pounds in weight, and 16 inches in length from leg to leg, officials say that the specimen is roughly 10 years in age. And more importantly, it is the first that they've seen in Hawaii for more than 25 years. To the non-natives, Coconut Crabs are often a species unheard of, but in recent news they have caused quite a stir as researchers investigating the long-suspected disappearance of pilot Amelia Earhart discovered that Coconut Crabs were capable of pulverizing human bones and consuming their flesh-leaving nothing behind. And though the slow, lone creature may not decimate a town, let alone an individual, researchers fear that its presence may pose a threat to other local species.
"They're a threat to our native ecosystem" acting Invertebrate Aquatic Biota specialist with Hawaii's Department of Agriculture, Trenton Yasui says. "The Coconut Crab would definitely feed on various native birds and turtle potentially. And it also could present a human health hazard for children, and also for home pets."
Pointing out their incredible strength, Yasui says that since they're strong enough to rip through coconut husks, which often require a chisel and hammer to break through, they could indeed cause some serious damage to a small organism, or even a large one with some time.
While locals are familiar with the species Birgus latro, better known as the Coconut Crab, they remain illegal within the United States. In fact, if you're caught with one, it's considered to be a Class C Felony. And though the crabs are inhabitants of several islands in the South Pacific, such as Micronesia, officials suspect that this specimen in particular was smuggled into the archipelago state.
So, what's the island to do with a potentially hostile crab on their hands? Since these gigantic crabs can continue to grow larger than 3 feet long, and have lifespans that often exceed 60 years, the island is transporting the Coconut Crab to the local Panaewa Zoo on the Big Island and are already setting up an exhibit to house the massive crab for a potentially very long stay.
