robber crab: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Technical / Zoological / Travel Writing
Quick answer
What does “robber crab” mean?
A large, land-dwelling crab known for climbing trees and stealing objects.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, land-dwelling crab known for climbing trees and stealing objects.
Specifically refers to the coconut crab (Birgus latro), the largest terrestrial arthropod, found on islands across the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is known for its incredible strength, ability to climb palm trees to obtain coconuts, and its curious behaviour of taking shiny or metallic objects back to its burrow.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the term. 'Coconut crab' is more common in American scientific and documentary contexts. 'Robber crab' is slightly more frequent in British Commonwealth contexts (e.g., Australia, islands of the Indian Ocean).
Connotations
Identical. Both conjure images of a large, intriguing, and somewhat formidable crustacean.
Frequency
Low frequency in general language. Higher frequency in travelogues, natural history documentaries, and ecological texts pertaining to tropical islands.
Grammar
How to Use “robber crab” in a Sentence
The [ADJ] robber crab [VERB past tense] [NOUN]We saw a robber crab [VERB-ing] [PREP] the [NOUN]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “robber crab” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Rarely used adjectivally. Could be 'robber-crab behaviour']
American English
- [Rarely used adjectivally]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused, except in niche tourism marketing for exotic destinations.
Academic
Used in zoology, ecology, and conservation biology papers. The Latin binomial Birgus latro is more precise.
Everyday
Used in travel stories or documentaries about tropical islands. Uncommon in daily conversation.
Technical
Standard term in herpetology and carcinology for the species Birgus latro.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “robber crab”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “robber crab”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “robber crab”
- Using 'robber crab' to refer to any crab that scavenges. It is a specific species. Confusing it with the 'soldier crab' or other land crabs.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are not typically aggressive but can deliver a very powerful pinch with their claws if threatened or handled.
No. Adult robber crabs are terrestrial and will drown if submerged in water for extended periods, though they begin life as marine larvae.
They are omnivorous scavengers, eating fruit, nuts, seeds, carrion, and even smaller crustaceans.
They are found on islands across the Indian and Pacific Oceans, including parts of Australia, Christmas Island, the Seychelles, and some Japanese islands.
A large, land-dwelling crab known for climbing trees and stealing objects.
Robber crab is usually technical / zoological / travel writing in register.
Robber crab: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrɒb.ə kræb/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrɑː.bɚ kræb/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a crab in a bandit's mask, sneaking up a palm tree to 'rob' a coconut.
Conceptual Metaphor
ANIMAL AS A THIEF / NATURAL PHENOMENON AS HUMAN BEHAVIOUR (anthropomorphism).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary behavioural trait that gives the robber crab its name?