Saturday, May 20, 2006

Red Crabs On Christmas Island

Location of Christmas Island


Christmas Island rainforest


Red crab


Red crabs are scavengers


Red crabs begin their march from the forest to the sea, where they will reproduce.


During the migration, the island's human inhabitants just have to adapt.


There are around 120 million crabs on the march.


The crabs navigate the same pathways year after year.


For the islanders, encounters with crabs during the migration are just part of island life.


Crabs pop up in the most unexpected places


After two weeks of marching, the first wave of crabs reaches the ocean


The weary travellers dip in the ocean to replace body fluids and salts.


Rangers rescue crabs from drowning whilst dipping off the cliffs around the island.


A female crab expels eggs from her brood pouch.


The eggs hatch immediately on contact with the water.


Baby crabs navigate their way into the rainforest


Aerial view of Christmas Island

1 comment:

Thanks for visiting. Please leave your comments.