A TREE-CLIMBING CRAB.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 23, Issue 6, 23 January 1912, Page 2

A TREE-CLIMBING CRAB.

It was long an open question whether the land-crab, known as the robber crab (birgus latro) could really climb trees or not. This question is set at rest by a set of photographs, from which we take our drawing, which shows a specimen of this interesting crustacean caught in the act of climbing a tree. The size

of the creature is indicated by the half-crown included in the sketch, in order to show their relative dimensions. In climbing, the crab scarcely uses its large claws, but clings to the tree with the sharp points of its walking legs. It can also climb almost vertical rock faces. It feeds on cocoanuts, fruits, and carrion, and will carry off anything it can find, such as tools or clothes.