The Giant Land Crab, commonly referred to as the Cardisoma guanhumi, is a large terrestrial crab native to the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, particularly found along the Atlantic coasts of the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America. Unlike marine crabs, these crabs inhabit mangroves, coastal swamps, and sandy beaches, emerging during the rainy season to breed. The fishing and harvesting of Giant Land Crabs is an important traditional industry in countries such as Jamaica, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and parts of Central America like Belize and Honduras, where they are considered a local delicacy and are often collected by hand or with traps. The industry is largely small-scale and artisanal, providing livelihoods for coastal communities, but overharvesting and habitat loss have led some regions to implement seasonal restrictions and conservation measures to ensure the sustainability of crab populations.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.