Species sheet
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Robber crab
Birgus latro (Linnaeus, 1767)
AnimalsHermit crabs, Galathea crabs, Porcelain crabs... (Anomoures )
Distribution map
Geographic areas (BioObs)
New CaledoniaPolynesia
Observation type
Scuba divingApnea / SnorkellingForeshore / Shoreline
Other common names
- Palm thief British English
- Coconut crabBritish English
- PalmendiebGerman (Germany)
- Cangrejo de los cocoterosEuropean Spanish
- Crabe des cocotiersFrench (France)
- Pagure larronFrench (France)
- Ziliwa (drehu = langue des habitants de Lifou)French (France)
- Yenewanu (nengone = langue des habitants de Maré)French (France)
- U'u (Wallis et Futuna)French (France)
- Kaveu (tahitienFrench (France)
- Eu (iaai = langue des habitants d'Ouvéa)French (France)
- Créole)French (France)
- Crabe voleurFrench (France)
- Crabe de cocotierKave'uFrench (France)
- Granchio del coccoItalian (Italy)
- Caranguejo-dos-coqueirosEuropean Portuguese
Other invalid scientific names
- Cancer latro
Links to our partners' sheets
Sources
- DESVIGNES Thomas, NOËL Pierre, POUPIN Joseph, SOHIER Sandra in : DORIS, 04/09/2018 : Birgus latro (Linnaeus, 1767), https://doris.ffessm.fr/ref/specie/2027
How to cite this BioObs sheet?
BioObs, 18/09/2026 : Birgus latro (Linnaeus, 1767), https://bioobs.fr/en/species-sheets/1455
Modification history
- Created by BioObs user on 18/09/2026
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