Millions of Red Crab Migration Across Christmas Island | Animal migration
The Christmas Island red crab is a species of land crab that is endemic to Christmas Island and Cocos Islands in the Indian Ocean. of Australia off the coast of Indonesia. The island is best known for its world-famous annual red crab migration.
Every year on Christmas Island during the rainy season, million million of red crabs move from the inland to the coast to reproduce and lay eggs. This is one of the most impressive animal migrations ever seen. All you will see is the mass of these countless number of crabs seething the roads and cliffs, emerging from the forest and heading to the sea.
Although restricted to a relatively small area, an estimated 45 million adult red crabs once lived on Christmas Island alonebut the accidental introduction of the yellow crazy ant is believed to have killed about 10–15 million of these in recent years. Christmas Island red crabs make an annual mass migration to the sea to lay their eggs in the ocean. Although its population is under great assault by the ants.
In order to protect the red crabs from being crushed by vehicles, some sections of roads may close for part or all of the day during the peak migration time, often at short notice. But you can park your car and carefully walk among the sea of moving crabs as they make their way to and from the beach.
You will also see crab bridges built over the roads. These are great places to stand and watch the flow of crabs.
Public notice boards and local radio provide updates on crab movements during the migration. Please follow all signs and the advice of national park staff.
