The annual Red Crab migration on Christmas Island is listed by naturalists as one of the most spectacular of all natural events. In the lead up to the wet season each year thousands of adult red crabs begin a hazardous migration from the forests to the coastline, where they will breed and spawn.
Two deadly obstacles make the journey a hazardous one for the crabs: possible dehydration from the hot sun, and being crushed to death by road traffic. Special crossings help curb the number of crab casualties during the migration season, and traffic can also be prevented from using roads when crossings are taking place.
After mating, the males migrate back to the forest, leaving the females to brood their eggs and spawn. After hatching, into free swimming larvae, the eggs grow through several stages in the ocean before they emerge as tiny crabs and make their own way back to the forests.
Source: Australia Post
Released September 8, 2014
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