Coconut Crab - A coconut crab found on the street in a suburban Honolulu neighbourhood about two weeks ago is set to be put on display at the city zoo.
The sighting of the large arthropod at Salt Lake Boulevard marked its first appearance in the country since 1989, according to University of Hawaii Marine Biology researcher Robert Toonen. Reports indicate that the coconut crab found in Salt Lake weighs up to 4 pounds and is 16 inches long.
Salt Lake resident Holly Cantere told KNON2 that she was driving home on Sunday, Dec. 21 when she noticed motorists stopping to stare at something in the middle of the road.
"Everybody just stopped in the middle of the road, and to see something crawling, I thought it was a remote-controlled type of thing," she said.
According to Cantere, the coconut crab was oblivious to vehicular traffic as it crossed the road. "[But] Everyone slowed down like it was a pedestrian," she added.
Cantere was able to bravely get the coconut crab into a box and call the Department of Agriculture to hand it over. It is unknown where the giant crab came from, but experts say it most likely escaped from captivity in a nearby home.
Coconut crabs are known to be a delicacy, but their overly invasive nature has made them illegal and dangerous in Hawaii. The possession of one could attract a hefty fine and even jail time. Reports indicate that the coconut crab found will be put on display at the Honolulu Zoo after it is released by the Department of Agriculture.
Although Toonen expresses doubt that the sighting of this one means that there are more coconut crabs in the neighborhood, he warns that a sudden reappearance of this animal in large numbers could lead to a lot of damage to the local ecology.
Coconut crabs are indigenous to islands in the Indian Ocean as well as the Pacific Ocean. Experts say they can grow up to 3-feet long and weigh up to 9-pounds.
Toonen says this large arthropod, which gets its name from the fact that it can climb a palm tree and open a coconut with its claws, is known to eat virtually everything on its path in times of hunger. Experts have noted that this spells danger for smaller animals in the wild, as well as pets and little children.
"A lot of the native species here are already under threat from other invasive species, so having one more nonnative predator is a concern," Toonen said.
If you see a coconut crab or any other illegal animal, you can reach the Department of Agriculture on 643-PEST.
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