Sign In  |  Register  |  About Burlingame  |  Contact Us

Burlingame, CA
September 01, 2020 10:18am
7-Day Forecast | Traffic
  • Search Hotels in Burlingame

  • CHECK-IN:
  • CHECK-OUT:
  • ROOMS:

Christmas Island red crab migration underway

Red crab migration season has begun on Australia's Christmas Island. Millions of the crabs traverse roads to reach the shores, mate and eventually produce eggs.

Red crab migration season has begun on Australia's Christmas Island

In footage filmed by David Watchorn this past weekend, the crustaceans scuttle over roadways and infrastructure.

According to Parks Australia, every year millions of the large crabs emerge from the forest heading to the water to breed. The migration starts with the first rainfall of the wet season.

While that's usually in October or November, it can sometimes be as late as January.

PHOTOS THAT STUN: 23 AMAZING PIX OF OUR LIVING WORLD FROM NIKON'S MICROSCOPY COMPETITION

The exact timing and the speed of the migration are determined by the phase of the moon

Male crabs that lead the migration are later joined by females.

If it begins to rain too late to make their spawning date, some crabs will migrate the following month.

Once at the shore, the crabs take a dip to replenish moisture before the male crabs retreat to the lower terraces of the island to dig burrows. 

KNIFE-WIELDING MAN FIGHTS OFF CROCODILE THAT HAD HIS FRIEND'S HEAD IN A VISE-GRIP: REPORT

The female crabs then join the males on the terraces to mate in or near the burrows. 

Each female crab, which remains in the burrow for over two weeks, can produce up to 100,000 eggs.

Male crabs will take a second dip before starting the journey back home.

When the moon reaches its last quarter, the crabs gather on the shoreline, releasing their eggs in the water. 

Red crab larvae hatch from the eggs as soon as they make contact with the water. 

The red crab migration is Christmas Island’s biggest tourist attraction.

Data & News supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Stock quotes supplied by Barchart
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
 
 
Copyright © 2010-2020 Burlingame.com & California Media Partners, LLC. All rights reserved.