Question 1

True or false: Coconut crabs only eat coconuts and will refuse all other food sources.

Accepted Answer

False. They are omnivorous scavengers, eating fruits, carrion, small animals, and even other crabs—not just coconuts.

Question 2

True or false: Coconut crabs are the largest land-living arthropods in the world.

Accepted Answer

True. They can have a leg span of up to 3 feet and weigh over 9 pounds, making them the heaviest terrestrial arthropods.

Question 3

True or false: Coconut crabs can climb trees to harvest coconuts and then peel them with their claws.

Accepted Answer

True. They are adept climbers and use powerful pincers to open coconuts, though they typically eat fallen ones.

Question 4

True or false: Coconut crabs are completely terrestrial and will drown if submerged in water for more than a few minutes.

Accepted Answer

False. They can survive underwater for hours and even swim, though they prefer land. They breathe via modified gills that need moisture.

Question 5

True or false: Coconut crabs are known to steal shiny objects like keys and silverware from campsites.

Accepted Answer

False. This is a myth popularized by tales; they are curious but not specifically attracted to shiny items—they seek food.

Question 6

True or false: The coconut crab is a type of hermit crab that never carries a shell as an adult.

Accepted Answer

False. Juveniles use shells, but adults develop a hard exoskeleton and lose the need for shells, so they don't carry them.

Question 7

True or false: Coconut crabs can regenerate lost limbs, but only if they molt within a week of losing them.

Accepted Answer

True. Like many crustaceans, they can regenerate limbs during molting, but there’s no strict time limit; regeneration occurs over successive molts.

Question 8

True or false: Coconut crabs have a sense of smell comparable to a dog's, allowing them to detect food from miles away.

Accepted Answer

True. Their antennae are highly sensitive to odors, helping them locate carrion, fruit, and other food sources over long distances.

Coconut Crab Trivia Questions