What Animals Eat Coconuts in the Wild?

The coconut, with its tough, fibrous husk and hard inner shell, presents a challenge to any animal seeking the nutritious meat and water within. The strategies wildlife use to get past these defenses are as varied as the animals themselves, showcasing strength, intelligence, and persistence.

The Specialist: Coconut Crabs

The coconut crab, Birgus latro, is the world’s largest terrestrial arthropod and is uniquely adapted to a diet that can include coconuts. Found on islands throughout the Indian and Pacific oceans, these crabs possess powerful claws that allow them to break into their namesake food. Their front-most pair of legs, the chelae, are the primary tools used to get through the coconut’s defenses.

The process of opening a coconut is a testament to the crab’s specialized abilities. A crab will often climb a coconut palm to snip a coconut from the tree, causing it to fall to the ground. Once on the ground, the crab uses its strong pincers to tear away the outer husk, strip by strip. This can be a lengthy process, requiring both strength and dexterity to expose the hard inner shell.

After husking the coconut, the crab targets the shell itself. It repeatedly strikes the shell, often aiming for the three germination pores, which are the weakest points. The crab may also use its pincer to apply steady pressure until the shell fractures. Once a crack is formed, the crab can pry the shell open to access the rich flesh inside.

Clever Mammals

A number of intelligent mammals have developed techniques to overcome the coconut’s defenses. Macaques, a type of monkey, are well-documented coconut consumers. These primates exhibit problem-solving skills, using rocks as tools to hammer the shell until it breaks. They have also been observed dropping coconuts from significant heights onto hard surfaces.

Sun bears, native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, rely on their physical power. These bears use their impressive strength to get to the sweet contents of the fruit. With powerful limbs and strong jaws, a sun bear can crush a coconut, forgoing intricate methods for sheer force. Their ability to climb also gives them access to coconuts still on the tree.

Wild boars also consume coconuts that have fallen to the ground. Using their tough snouts and powerful jaws, they can break into the fruit. Their strong neck muscles and sturdy teeth allow them to gnaw and crush the shell to get to the kernel inside.

Persistent Rodents and Bats

Smaller animals also have ways of consuming coconuts, often through persistence rather than overwhelming force. Their ever-growing incisors are sharp and strong, allowing them to patiently gnaw through the tough outer husk and the hard shell. This process can take a considerable amount of time but ultimately allows them to access the interior.

Fruit bats interact with the coconut palm in a different way, as they are not known for eating mature, hard-shelled coconuts. Instead, they often feed on the nectar from the coconut flowers. They may also consume the very young, soft coconuts, which have not yet formed a hard protective shell, making the flesh easily accessible.