The critters among us

Here's a fact for you . . . . .No matter where you are in the world you are never more than 6 feet away from the nearest spider.

I'll take that statistic any day over running across one of these scary looking beasts!

This particular "critter" was found outside a hanger up at Andersen Air Force Base. These crabs are the largest "hermit crabs" in the world. They can't swim but they live near the water - hence living on Guam. Their claws are so strong that they can crack a coconut and they eat the meat inside ... ta-da! the name Coconut Crab.

Now let's put that claw fact into perspective here. When us humans want to savor some fresh coconut meat, it takes plenty of sweat, strength and a hammer to get through that outer shell. (unless there's a machete around - but that's a different story)

Some locals catch coconut crabs when they are smaller - keep them until they grow a bit and then eat 'em. I've known some people to kill them by putting them in the freezer. I think that the only way this guy was going to fit in a freezer is if it was a walk-in type!
I certainly hope that I don't see one of these things when I'm on my evening walk.