As every year, 1,200 local residents of Christmas Island have prepared for the mass migration of tens of millions of red crabs. This island, located in the Indian Ocean, is separated from mainland Australia by 1,500 kilometers.
The traditional march of these crustaceans began with the onset of summer rains in the Southern Hemisphere. Countless red —endemic to Christmas Island—set off towards the ocean, creating a stunning spectacle. Upon reaching their destinations, they will lay eggs, as reported by Independent. For about a month, the offspring will remain in the ocean as larvae before returning to the island as tiny crabs.
As always, the local population is actively participating in this remarkable event. Residents have armed themselves with leaf blowers and garden rakes to assist the crabs in their journey.
Alexia Yankovska, acting director of the Christmas Island National Park, confirmed that around 200 million endemic Gecarcoidea natalis crabs inhabit the island’s small territory. It is expected that about 100 million individuals will migrate from their forest burrows to the shore for breeding.
According to Ms. Yankovska, during the midday hours, crabs seek shade, while early in the morning and late in the evening, they embark on a long and slow promenade to the coast along roads and through gardens.
“Some may see the crabs as a nuisance, but most of us consider encountering them a kind of privilege,” said Alexia Yankovska. She also warned that visitors to Christmas Island should not leave doors open during this time, as they might unexpectedly find a large group of red crabs in their rooms. Some locals have to carefully clear their driveways of crabs in order to leave in the morning.
