Each year, an extraordinary natural phenomenon occurs on Christmas Island: the annual red crab migration. Millions of crabs move from the inland rainforest to the coast to breed, temporarily turning the island’s roads, forests, and beaches a brilliant red. Beginning in late October, this year’s migration attracted curious tourists, scientists, and photographers, all excited to observe the extraordinary phenomenon in person.
After the island receives its first heavy rainfall, the migration begins and the crabs march. The males march toward the coast first and later the females follow closely behind. Local officials block off roads by setting up special crab crossings with fences to ensure the safety of the crabs. “It’s crazy that they actually have bridges built just for crabs,” said Owen Hannan, a junior who has traveled with his family to Christmas Island. “It’s one of the most unreal things I’ve ever seen. When you’re there, it feels like the crabs own the island and everyone else is just visiting.”
Every year, park rangers and volunteers ensure the crabs travel on designated routes. The island community prides itself on escorting crabs, and the recent migration is said to be the biggest in years. Junior Beckett Cahill enjoyed learning about the event in his environmental science class and said, “It’s pretty cool how almost the whole island helps out. A lot of people move their cars, shut down roads, and even cover drains so the crabs don’t get trapped. It shows how considerate the locals are for them. It’s really special when you realize how much people care about the environment.”
Every year, the migration of the crabs has grown increasingly and so have the rituals of the island community. It’s said that the migration has become part of the island’s culture and therefore identity. Schools hold lessons outside so students can see the crabs up close. Visitors line up at viewpoints to take photos of the moving red tide. For many, this is a celebration and a reminder of the balance between humans and nature.
After crabs arrive in the sea, females begin to empty millions of eggs into the water, perpetuating the cycle. In the coming weeks, the newborn baby crabs will be land-bound again to begin the entire process anew. This occasion usually attracts hundreds of tourists, which promotes the island’s economy and emphasizes the value of protective measures. The red crab migration shows how something so small can bring an entire island together.
