Coconut Crab - Tuvalu

Tuvalu’s ranking in area and population is towards the lower end of the scale when compared to the other nations of the world. In size, it is the fourth smallest; the Vatican City, Monaco, and Nauru being smaller. The population of Tuvalu places it as the third smallest in the world, behind Nauru and the Vatican City.

- - - - -

Birgus latro - Growing to lengths of up to 1 meter across from outstretched arms and weighing up to 4.1 kilos, the coconut crab is the largest land dwelling arthropod in the world. As the name implies, the coconut crab thrives on the fruits, nuts, seeds, and pith of fallen coconut trees, but it is an opportunistic feeder. Coconut crabs grow slowly, molting their exoskeleton once each year before reaching full-size at approximately 40 to 60 years of age. There are some claims of coconut crabs living for more than 100 years.

Common Web Spider - Tuvalu

Neoscona theisi - In most species of spiders, females tend to be larger than males. Females of the common web spider are eight millimeters long with males being slightly smaller. Although a small spider, it has strong legs covered with yellowish and dark brown hair. It builds a typical orb web supported by branches of nearby shrubbery. Spider webs are built with proteinaceous spider silk for the purpose of catching prey. The spider is not aggressive and its toxicity effects are not well known.

- - - - -

Tuvalu is made up of three small reef islands and six atolls. Coral does not provide for good soil conditions and therefore restricts agricultural productivity. This has placed a heavy burden on the surrounding ocean to provide sufficient food and has resulted in a depletion in the local fish stock from over-fishing. Almost 80% of Tuvalu’s coral reefs are either dead or dying because of ocean warming and acidification. Rising water levels are also a critical issue for the citizens of Tuvalu.