The astonishing annual crab migration on Australia’s Christmas Island

“Find the beach, Mate!”

Crab radar … still interesting

The Astonishing Annual Red Crab Migration.
Each year millions of bright red land crabs leave their

burrow homes on Australia ‘s Christmas Island

and start a long, laborious trek toward the sea.

They descend cliffs, climb banks and maneuver around

obstacles to reach the shoreline

 and lay their eggs, eventually returning to

 the island’s central plateau with their offspring in tow.

The synchronized migration resembles

a crimson-colored river undulating across the

 island and can last up to 18 days.

The event typically takes place in November or December

 (the crabs will only move when it’s raining)

and coincides with the turning of high tide

and the arrival of the waning moon.