Photo credit: abc.net
Where can you find tens of millions of crabs in one place?
Christmas Island, that’s where!
An amazing natural phenomenon occurs each year on the Australian island located south of Indonesia that brings millions of red crabs together.
Here’s a fun fact: Christmas Island is named so not because of the swarms of red crabs that visit during the holidays, but because it was discovered on Christmas Day in 1643.
Now, back to the crabs.
During the region’s wet season (October through December), millions of crabs make a five to seven day journey from the dense forests to the coast line to mate. And when we say millions, we mean millions. They cover everything!
Male crabs take the lead, and upon arrival, dig burrows in the beach for private and protected mating. The females arrive and nature takes its course.
After mating, the males head back to the forest and the females stay burrowed waiting for their eggs to develop.
About two weeks later, the eggs are developed and the females deliver them directly to the sea. They hatch immediately and spend the first few months in the ocean. Once they have developed into strong, young crabs they can return to the shore and join in the cycle.
Check out the video from Parks Australia for a behind the scenes look at Christmas Island.
Source: Oceana.org