The coconut crab
During your next stay in French Polynesia (particularly in the Tuamotu Archipelago), you may encounter a curious “giant crab” called “Kaveu” in the Paumotu language (Tuamotu Archipelago dialect). Also called the “Coconut crab” (Birgus Latro), the Kaveu is the largest terrestrial crab known in the world. It measures up to 1,3ft and weighs around 9lbs at adulthood, a very impressive size!
This large crab belongs to the hermit crab family. Thus, the young Kaveu often wears its shell or a coconut as protection. In fact, they have to protect their abdomen which is soft from birth and hardens in adulthood. It’s shell turns to bright colors: from red to a dark blue body.
It lives in the seaside forests of the coconut groves. The proximity with the sea is vital for the species because its respiratory system (branchiostegal lung) requires an important humidity level. The Kaveu has a well-developed sense of smell to track fruits, coconuts and other prey.
The Kaveu is an omnivorous species. It feeds on fruit, small crustaceans and coconuts, thus its name. It owns ten claws including two powerful pincers to get at the coconut bark and meat. These pincers also offer the Kaveu the ability to climb coconut trees. In French Polynesia, the coconut grove owners have found a solution to prevent crabs from attacking their crop. They place metal rings around the trunks of coconut trees so the crabs slide off – making climbing impossible.
Polynesians still hunt this gigantic crab for food. They catch the Kaveu with traps laid during the day. The Kaveu can be cooked like lobster; boiled in the water. Its tender flesh is a very popular dish. The recipes of Kaveu vary according among the different archipelagos; sometimes cooked in coconut milk or cooked as in a kind of crab cake recipe. The flavor of Kaveu is sometimes compared to “foie gras”(duck liver paté). Others say that the Kaveu meat may possess aphrodisiac properties. You be the judge.
Needless to say, this large crab is always impressive to behold whether on your plate or in its natural environment. It is also an interesting photographic subject, but remember to watch your fingers.