Freshwater land crab in the stream Arugot (Ein Gedi Nature Reserve) in Israel
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Palm Thief or Coconut Crab Birgus latro is the largest terrestrial hermit crab in the world. The species is widely distributed on remote Indo-Pacific islands of the tropics. Adults have such a tough exoskeleton, they do not carry a shell anymore. Nowadays it is often some rubbish left behind instead of a natural shell, looks weird, but the protection is ok. Only females return to the sea to release fertilised eggs. After the larval stadium, the crabs look for a gastropod shell and return to dry land. Reaching sexual maturity at the age of 5 years, a Coconut Crabs lifespan is up to 60 years! Peleliu Island, Palau, Micronesia, 7°2'1.78" N 134°15'2.359" E