This Crab Can't Swim, But Has To Lay Its Eggs In The Sea... | Nature's Biggest Beasts | BBC Earth

The robber crab has been ashore so long, it's developed lungs that can no longer breathe in water.

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Natural World: Nature's Biggest Beasts
The world's biggest beasts have always captured the imagination. But whilst being big can have its advantages, it also comes with sizeable challenges. Take the world's largest lizard, the Komodo dragon, whose huge appetite means it must take on prey ten times its weight, or the tallest animal of them all - the giraffe - who, with such a long neck, must control immense blood pressure. Nature's biggest beasts must go to extraordinary lengths to thrive.
Welcome to BBC EARTH! The world is an amazing place full of stories, beauty and natural wonder. Here you'll find 50 years worth of entertaining and thought-provoking natural history content. Dramatic, rare, and exclusive, nature doesn't get more exciting than this.

[mtboystuu]

I grew up in Samoa and every time I spot the coconut crab which is rare it always frightens me due to its size and dark color But it’s definitely a sight to behold!

[acelb]

I once lived on an island inhabited by these. Part of my job was to walk the perimeter every few hours to make sure the gates were locked and there was no one around. You could shine your flashlight on the chain link fence and see quite a few of these guys breaking in or out of the facility. More than once I turned the corner to a giant coconut crab just chilling there. They weren't aggressive but in the dark they sure catch you off guard.

[Le-sama]

We all have to respect the camera crew and the people who were able to record all these amazing shots and views

[dongssi]

"...if she falls, she'll sink and drown"

the female crab: * aggressively humps the wave *

[OceanSwimmer]

My late uncle mentioned Coconut Crabs when writing home from the Pacific theater during WW2.
I believe it was on Palmyra Island, a stopover en route to Iwo Jima.
A buddy placed a broomstick in the pincer of a Coconut Crab --- and it snapped through the handle with ease!
They decided to give those crabs plenty of room and leave them alone, a wise choice!

[jaridkeen]

I wonder how many of these crabs make it to adulthood? Like how many eggs layed vs how many make it to maturity

[SouloDoloMusic]

The camera crew for these channels are amazing. Thought it's not BBC, I once helped a camera crew member of Discovery Cannel with his camera gear at my local Airport years back when I worked there. They're some of the most humble people you'll meet. Just imagine their life and experience.

[snapslingpeavine]

I’d love to see the whole life cycle of this animal

[dforrest]

It’s interesting that they have lungs adapted for land. I know insects don’t have lungs (just trachea) which limit their size.

[Leto]

Amazing animals. So unique. No matter the class, they all seem to have species adapting to environments you wouldn't expect them to live. I see these crabs as the opposite of dolphins.

[boeboefish]

“But how do I swim to lay my eggs??”

“Thats the neat thing, you *don’t* “

[DarkMatter]

I went to Tuvalu back in 2016 and had the experience of seeing the magnificent creatures in person.

[Shearper]

there is a theory that if Amelia Earhart landed on an island that was home to Coconut Crabs, they are the reason why her remains have never been found, because these crabs found her first

[ShortFuseFighting]

man, look at this heavily armored tank crossed with a bulldozer...nature is the ultimate engineer

[gitanjalibanik]

Respect to the team for their hardwork.

[jurassicsushi]

You learn something new every day. Thanks BBC Earth

[Angel-emvm]

They ate a Devil Fruit in return they lost the ability to swim but gained a extraordinary ability to eat a coconut!

[NixNautilus]

The cameramen are such brave men for going back in time a few days ago to record these beastly beasts

[cobiebentley]

They failed to mention the fact these crabs will also climb trees at night to attack then eat sleeping birds...

[prettygirlsaywhat]

Lol I love how as soon as she had released the eggs she BOOKED it away from the edge. 😂 she was not playing