Paul Buhner, a man playing golf on Christmas Island, Australia, captured a video of a giant coconut crab attempting to steal a golf club.
The videographer noted that the coconut crab, often referred to as “robber crab”, is known for its large size and tendency to steal items from tourists visiting the island in search of food.
Coconut crab stealing golf club.
Adult coconut crabs can grow up to one meter long and weigh over 5 kg. The video recorded at the golf course shows the man trying to pull the club away from the crab’s grip, but ultimately, it used its claws to snap the club’s shaft.
Paul Buhner mentioned that the crab left behind a broken club. According to him, the coconut crab was attracted by food in his bag, but it mistakenly charged at the golf club instead.
Christmas Island, a territory of Australia located in the Indian Ocean about 1,500 km west of the mainland, is famous for its endemic red crabs that cover the streets during their annual migration.
However, this island is also home to the coconut crab, the largest terrestrial arthropod in the world, known for its aggressive behavior and tendency to steal anything they can get their claws on.
This species is famous for its climbing abilities, using its strong pincers to crack open coconuts for food and even hunting larger prey such as birds. Their name derives from their frequent association with coconuts, as they climb coconut trees and eat the fruit by breaking the shell and consuming the flesh.
Currently, there are over 1 million coconut crabs living on Christmas Island, and local authorities protect this species; catching and eating coconut crabs is illegal.
In 2020, a massive invasion of coconut crabs disrupted a family picnic on Christmas Island, turning their outing into a disaster. The frightening incident occurred while people were enjoying their holiday and hosting a barbecue in the garden.
Amy Luetich and her family were camping with some friends at Grants Well, in the dense forest on the island. Dozens of unusually large crabs quickly surrounded them and stole their food. Amy Luetich reported that her son counted 52 crabs.
The picnic participants were both worried and trying to finish their meal before moving. Fortunately, no one was injured, but they lost a lot of food and a few pairs of sneakers due to the disruptive coconut crabs.
