Where I live in the Caribbean, we have both booby birds and land crabs, as well as soldier crabs. I've never known the land crabs to go after
booby bird nests/chicks, and was amazed to see this process. I have seen land crabs fight before, and they seem to have a large claw for fighting,
and another smaller one for feeding.
That littler feeding claw is the one that can really get people and pets. Why? It closes fast, and meets in a opposed way that makes it the most
.............. pinchy claw. In both the Soldier Crabs and Land Crabs, the fighting claw is useful when fighting amongst themselves, because it's
akin to a dog clamping its jaws and applying even pressure. I can't be certain, but looked in both "amputations" that the fighting claw was
damaged and removed. Why amputate? Because a damaged claw limits mobility and is therefore a detriment to survival.
Amazing creatures. I have said before that I never want to pass out in the back yard........ by the time I wake up, I might be nearly consumed.
The land crabs in particular, I love their spirit. This is probably an antropomorphism, but if you see a land crab at night on the road, even as
your lights bear down on them, they hold their position and raise the claws. They fight anything to the death.
Booby birds nest here in the sheer bluff, safe from almost everything. Their primary foe is the Man-o-War (Frigate Bird), who will follow them when
the Booby birds are fishing and attempt to steal their catch in mid-air. The Booby birds have webbed feet and can land and sit upon the water;
The Frigates do not. The Frigates are more powerful, but lack the aerial mauverability of the Booby birds. I have watched four Frigates trying
to "corner" a Booby in the air, and the Booby can and will dive straight down, twisting and turning and often makes it to the nest, having run the
gauntlet of Frigates. Once in the nesting area, they are safe, as the Boobies nest in a communal way, and will fiercely defend against the Frigate
marauders. It's an amazing arial dance to watch.
Thanks, OP, for sharing the video. I'm still amazed at seeing the hoard of land crabs attempting to attack the Booby chick. I'd be really
interested in knowing where this took place.


Thanks for sharing
