coconut crab repost

 I posted the story of a "Coconut Crab" when my daughter walked out of her house in Guam one night to put the days trash in the garbage can.  
I'm talking about it again because over the past year I have gotten many comments about this story and some are just not believers that this really ugly looking crab exists... others are just amazed at it's size.

At the time when Gina told me of this crab, I just listened to her tell  how one  scared her.  Knowing my daughter as I do.. I  pretty much 'blew it off as no big deal'...( so she saw a crab, how bad could that be?)

My youngest child is now 27 with three little boys of her own, and since being a toddler she has always been afraid of bugs, especially spiders and was one of those kids who would 'squeel very loud and run from everything'. Gina still did the same "squeel" in high school when scared of anything and I would always laugh as she ran from what ever "It" was!
Well while we were on the  phone  she told me of the "Coconut Crabs"  "how large they are".   I've seen many different types of "Crabs" and again did not think too much about the crab story.. Until she sent me a photo of one......

 google image

"This is no ordinary crab".

Gina said, "When she first saw this, she saw the birth of her children flash before her eyes"

All I could do was "Gasp" for air!  She said, "she took out the trash, all she did was open the lid to put the bag in and she heard a  Shhhiiisssshhhh-ing  sound".   Like something was telling her to go away!    She backed up and ran inside, turned on the outside light and there was this 'Thing" walking toward  her!"  (They are not afraid of humans and will come after you)
She "Screamed" and ran back inside to  get her husband, who laughed at her, as usual.  Like I said, "Gina screams at all bugs".......

"Honey, this is "NO BUG"

I've posted a map of the areas where you can find "Coconut Crabs"  they are so ugly but then they say "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder"

"Coconut Crabs" are known to come out 'when it rains" and scrounge for food, but their favorite food is "coconuts" and you will find them climbing the Palm trees and knocking down the coconuts for a meal.

 The entire blue area  is where the "Crabs" can be found. "Guam" is above and to the right side of  Australia.

From what Gina tells me, the local people eat these crabs. Since the crabs eat coconuts they have a mild coconut flavor... They cook the meat in coconut milk and toss it over veggies....

Gina said, "She has been offered a meal made from the "Crabs" but just can't bring herself to eat them.

I have this "silly grin" on my face when I think of "Gina" running from these "Bugs"

It takes me back to when she was little.

"Oh the memories we keep of our children"

This is just one of  many for my "Mothers Day"

For all of you who are interested in knowing more, just google 
"Coconut Crab"  

I'm joining Jenny Matlocks 
Alphabet Thursday 

"C is for Crab"

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