The coconut crab lives on remote islands and has just blown away scientists with one thing it can do.
An absolutely massive crab living on remote islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans has one incredible powerful pinch, scientists found in a new study. The crab can grow to a span of 3 feet and weight up to 9 pounds, and its claws have been found to be astonishingly powerful.
The coconut crab is capable of exerting a force of 3,300 newtons with its pinch, which is 4.5 times more powerful than a typical human grip. That force is similar to the bite strengths of hyenas, lions and tigers, according to the study, which was published in PLOS One.
Coconut crabs live on remote islands and move very slowly, eating mostly vegetation like its namesake. Sometimes it will eat vertebrates, and has been known to prey on small animals, even kittens, believe it or not. Still, they’re nothing to be concerned about as long as you don’t get your fingers near its claws.
“Coconut crabs are the largest terrestrial crustacean and are remarkably strong, lifting up to 28 kilograms,” the PLOS statement reads. “The crabs use their claws to fight and defend themselves, and to eat coconuts and other foods with hard exteriors. While decapods exert the greatest pinching force relative to their mass, the pinching force of coconut crabs was unknown. The researchers measured the claw pinching force of 29 wild coconut crabs from Okinawa Island, Japan.
“The researchers found that pinching force increased with body mass. Based on the crabs’ maximum known weight, the maximum pinching force of their claws was projected to be 3,300 newtons. This exceeds both the pinching force of other crustaceans and the bite force of all terrestrial animals except alligators. The crabs’ “mighty claws” let them monopolize coconuts, which other animals are unable to access. In addition, suggest the researchers, being able to hunt other animals with hard exteriors could help these crabs maintain their large bodies.”