Meet the endangered coconut crab on Iriomote Island!
Table of Contents
What is "coconut crab"?
Suddenly, have you ever heard of "coconut crab"?
The coconut crab is found in Japan on the islands of Okinawa, Miyako, and Yaeyama, and is famous as one of the largest crustaceans that live on land. Also on the Red List of the Ministry of the Environment and Okinawa Prefecture,Valuable species listed as endangered IIBut there is also.
◆If you are interested in night tours in Okinawa
◆If you want to visit the jungle of Okinawa
↓You may see coconut crabs!
Click here for recommended jungle night tours.
Ecology of coconut crab
The length of the body is a large one,over 40 cm, ,More than 1m when legs are spread, ,He also weighs more than 4 kg.will be!
However, only some coconut crabs grow to a large size, and most of those usually seen in the jungles of Iriomote Island are palm-sized, so they are basically safe. However, be careful when you capture them because their scissors are unusually strong. They are said to live for about 50 years, and some coconut crabs live longer than human beings...
See various rare plants and animals including endangered coconut crab in Iriomote IslandNight TourIt is also very popular!
Click here for recommended night tours.
Name of coconut crab
Because of its name and lore, the coconut crab has a well-established image as a crab that climbs palm trees and eats the coconuts that fall from them, although it also looks like a crab,Actually a member of the hermit crab familyIt is.
It has been confirmed that coconut crabs, as their name implies, eat coconut palms, commonly known as coconuts. However, they are omnivorous and sometimes eat living creatures. They are particularly fond of adan nuts.
Can you eat coconut crabs?
In the Pacific IslandsA kind of luxury foodand in some areas it is cooked as a rejuvenating agent! The female's roe and the fatty parts of her abdomen are especially prized. They are eaten boiled or steamed like lobster, or boiled in coconut milk in some areas. In Japan, in some areas of Okinawa Prefecture, including Iriomote IslandCustom of eating coconut crabThere are
Although coconut crabs themselves are not poisonous, they are omnivorous, eating even decomposed dead flesh if it is palatable, so be aware that some foods coconut crabs eat may be poisonous! Be sure to check with the locals and have them cook it for you!
What kind of coconut crab is it?
Palm crabs are creatures that look similar to shrimp and crabs, but as mentioned above,Hermit CrabIt is a hermit crab. Although it is a member of the hermit crab family, it does not carry a shell. I wonder why.
In fact, in the process of evolving their bodies to become larger and larger, they became unable to carry their shells on their backs, so they abandoned their shells and began to have shells! Since they abandoned their shells, they cover the upper part of their abdomen with their shells and fold them under their bellies.
Basically, the coconut crab lives on the ground, but like the hermit crabbreathing through one's gillsIt is. They are periodically moved to a watering hole to moisten their gills and allow them to breathe.
Habitat of coconut crab
Coconut crabs are found in forests relatively close to the sea. As introduced,Can be terrestrial with moistened gillsand can be found far from the sea.
When it is time to spawn, they visit the sea and immerse the eggs they carry in their abdomen in seawater. Therefore, they can often be encountered on the beach during the spawning season.
Coconut Crab Spot
Here are some spots where coconut crabs can be found.
foghorn
Mikiri-no-hama is a beach located on Prefectural Route 215 from Uehara Port toward Shirahama, turn right before Yamaneko Farm, and go straight ahead and turn left. Because the entrance to the beach is covered by jungle, not only tourists but alsoHole-in-the-wall spots that even locals don't know about.But there is also.
The shallow beach with coral reefs and tropical fish allows for safe snorkeling. You can also observe coconut crabs at night.
Location: Aza-Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa
Access: About 10 minutes by car from Uehara Port
Parking: None
Meals (nearby): None
Toilet: None
↓Learn more about the ear-cut beach.
Utara Coal Mine Site
Utara Coal Mine Site is a former coal mine site located along a tributary of the Urauchi River from the Urauchi River sightseeing boat landing. A 1-km promenade has been established from the Urauchi Bridge area to the coal mine.
around here at night.Palm crab walking.You can also see fireflies, sagaribana, and Yaeyama flying foxes at certain times of the year. Fireflies, sagaribana, and Yaeyama flying foxes can also be seen depending on the time of year.
Address: Iriomote, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa
Access: 12 minutes by car from Uehara Port
Parking: Yes
Meals (nearby): None
Toilet: No
What is the best time to see coconut crabs?
The coconut crab has a breeding season from May to September, and is especially frequently seen during the summer months of July and August. They are usually hidden behind grass, trees, and rocks, but during this season, you may see them toddling along the boardwalk.
Let's look at coconut crabs!
If you want to see coconut crabs in Iriomote Island, go at night!
On Iriomote Island, though, you can see them in many places in the jungle,Night tours are especially recommended for observing coconut crabs.It is. Palm crabs are nocturnal, so during the day they hide behind rocks or in holes, but at night they come out and can be seen walking through the jungle.
When you drive a rental car in Iriomote Island at night, you may see coconut crabs crossing the road. If you see them, please wait for them to pass by, or if you cannot wait, please drive away from them.
↓Can you meet coconut crabs? Jungle Night Tour
Iriomotejima Jungle Night Tour
If you want to see coconut crabs at night, take a jungle night tour.Local nature guides will take you to the jungle with coconut crabs at night!The following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.
Guides will lend you insect repellent to protect you from bites of the island's unique insects and other insects, and will assist you in safely exploring the jungle in total darkness. The tour is not only for children, but also for adults, as they can listen to detailed explanations of the local area.
In addition to hermit crabs, you can see other rare creatures that you cannot see on the mainland, such as giant hermit crabs and rock lizard, and the sky and air are so clean that just exploring the genre should be exciting!
⇒The new standard of the night in Iriomote Island! Close Encounters with Jungle Night Toursclick here
↓Click here for Iriomotejima Jungle Night Tour
Ferry tickets must be purchased in advance.
To get to Iriomote Island, you need to take a ferry from Ishigaki Island. The Ishigakijima Remote Island Terminal, the boarding point, is always crowded, so advance reservation is recommended!
Since you pay in advance, you can easily board the boat on the day of the cruise by simply showing your smartphone. There is no need to worry about getting caught in the queue at the ticket booth on the day of boarding.
Click here to book a ferry to Iriomote Island
Ferry tickets are included in the package.
Click here for a list of special offers
summary
The coconut crab is a rare animal designated as an endangered species, but you have a high probability of encountering it in the rich natural environment of Iriomote Island! Why don't you go and see coconut crabs with your own eyes?
Also, there are places where you can see coconut crabs on Ishigaki Island, so if you don't have time to go to Iriomote Island, you can see them on Ishigaki Island.
↓Click here to read the article.
