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Anonymous
>>220546 According to the IUCN Red List criteria, there is not enough data to decide if the coconut crab is an endangered species, and therefore it is listed as DD (data deficient).[4] However, according to some reports[attribution needed] the populations are quite large, with one of the largest populations being on Caroline Island. It is believed that the coconut crab is quite common on some islands, but rather rare on others. Coastal development on many islands reduces the natural habitat of the crab.
The juvenile coconut crab is vulnerable to introduced carnivores such as rats and pigs, and ants such as the yellow crazy ant. Adult coconut crabs have no natural predators, and are eaten only by people. The adults have poor eyesight, and detect enemies based on ground vibration.
Overall, it seems that large human populations have a negative effect on the coconut crab population, and in some areas, populations are reported to be declining due to over-harvesting. The coconut crab is protected in some areas, with minimum sizes for taking and a protected breeding period.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_crab#Conservation_status
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