Quick answer
Coconut Crabs feed on omnivore (coconuts, fruit, seeds, carrion), adjusting seasonally based on local habitat and prey or plant availability.
Diet overview
Coconut Crabs are invertebrates that rely on omnivore (coconuts, fruit, seeds, carrion). The coconut crab (Birgus latro) is the largest land-living arthropod on Earth, weighing up to about 4 kg (9 lb) with a leg span approaching 1 m (3 ft). Found on islands across the Indo-Pacific, it climbs trees, has one of the strongest measured grip forces in the animal kingdom, and is strong enough to crack open a coconut.
Feeding behaviour
Foraging strategy varies by season. Coconut Crabs may hunt, graze, filter-feed, or scavenge depending on ecology.
Role in the food web
As invertebrates, they interact with predators, prey, and competitors across their range.
Human-related feeding risks
Never feed wild coconut crabs — it habituates animals to people and can spread disease.
Sources
FAQs
What do coconut crabs eat?
Omnivore (coconuts, fruit, seeds, carrion).
Are coconut crabs carnivores or herbivores?
Their diet is best described as: omnivore (coconuts, fruit, seeds, carrion).
Do coconut crabs change diet seasonally?
Yes — many species shift food sources as seasons and prey abundance change.
Can I feed wild coconut crabs?
No — feeding wild animals is unsafe and often illegal.