Coconut Crab

One of the more prolific critters we’ve seen, the hermit crab seems well adapted to the Tuamotus. They take up residence in the most beautiful shells, and the beaches are pocked with crab holes and covered with tracks that look like the tread of mountain bike tires. Herds of baby crabs look like tiny warring shells, racing to get into the water. Single tenacious adults can be seen using their spiny legs to cross vast planes of sand, ascend low lying tropical flora, and triumph over coconut shells.