Million of Crabs in Christmas Island Marches Back to the Jungle After Mating Season

Once a year, millions of baby crabs can be seen making their way to the beaches of Christmas Island during mating season. These crabs came from the ocean and are heading towards the jungle where the adult crabs live.

The march produces a sea of crimson, a sight so amazing that it has become a tourist attraction. The tide of crustaceans crawling all over the beach is so thick it can be seen from Google Earth. Just try to imagine that!

The annual mating season of the crabs attracted tourists to Christmas Island.

These crabs can be seen from Google Earth!

Wet season in Christmas Island starts in October or November. During this time, adult crabs get out of their hiding places in the jungle and head towards the beach.

Here they do their mating rituals – the male crabs dig burrows in the sand, mate with female crabs, and then march back to the jungle.

The female crabs stay in the burrows with their eggs. They put their eggs in the ocean after two to three weeks and head towards their home in the jungle.

The eggs will hatch into the ocean as larvae. After several weeks, the baby crabs who survived the ocean, millions of them, will start their own journey to meet with the adult crabs.

Beaches close down because of the sheer number of crabs invading every surface.

They made the rocks turn orange.

They can climb up the rocks to reach the jungle above.

This lone blue crab looked totally out of the place in this sea of crimson.

They kinda look like red ants heaped on top of each other.

Some crabs managed to find an faster route to the jungle.

They don’t bite!

The island closes down roads to protect the crossing baby crabs.

Street signs also warn motorists to slow down in areas known for migration.

The baby crabs are so small, hundreds can fit in your hand and don’t bite.

These baby crabs will grow up and then they will join the annual mating season migration.