The Story Behind the Red Crab Migration on Christmas Island

You may have seen the viral images of millions of red crabs shutting down roads as they crawl across Australia’s Christmas Island. Here’s the story behind their migration ... 🦀
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[@blackleg3964]

Red Crabs when they see their friend get squished: "Alright guys, we're having Bob for dinner".

[@mitchelljack1590]

“Crabs back on the menu boys”

[@TheoWren]

that’s when the cannibalism started!

[@Lolopogie]

Uruk-hai approves 😂😂.

[@DinoJake]

"I'm...I'm not gonna make it..." "Don't say that Bob! You've come from worse!" "Listen, Alice. You gotta...you gotta eat me." "What?!" "My flesh will keep you hydrated...give you the strength to keep going..." "Bob..." "Damn it Alice! Just...do it..." "...I'll never forget you, Bob."

[@Manananggal-oe8gs]

​@@mitchelljack1590 Lord of the rings reference?

[@DonDon-yt2er]

Residents find crabs in their beds and showers. I could never get used to that. I would scream every morning, my neighbors wouldn’t need an alarm clock.

[@williamwilliams333]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@andrebarnes1436]

😂😂

[@LindaMerchant-bq2hp]

Like pets to locals❤

[@NullifiedToad]

I found crabs in my pants

[@wip1664]

Just a very temporary inconvenience. You can continue to shower, continue to do the regular routines. Just try to not step on one. They are just passing by and don't have clear directions to the ocean. These are crabs, not insects.

[@emily-fg6wl]

To everyone asking if they could eat these crabs: the Christmas Island Red Crabs are not considered edible for humans, and they are also a protected species so harming them is illegal

[@dann5515]

Well need more information than that. Why is it not a "considered edible for humans"? Why are the protected species? Is seems they grew large population very quickly in a matter of season? And when do red crab migration?

[@emily-fg6wl]

@@dann5515 I don't actually know much about these crabs, I just looked this up on google and found the following: They are not known to be poisonous to humans, but their flesh is 96% water and does not have a good flavour. Adult Red Crabs have no natural predators which is why there is such a large population, however "The yellow crazy ant, an invasive species accidentally introduced to Christmas Island and Australia from Africa, is believed to have killed 10-15 million red crabs (one-quarter to one-third of the total population) in recent years" so they are protected since the population may be rapidly shrinking and there is no good reason to hurt them anyway

[@klaraklara6362]

Do red crabs bite?

[@AidsPizza]

Beep beep here comes the steam roller

[@crepesoftime]

@@dann5515 Yes, if there are so many millions of them I can hardly see them being on the "endangered species" list.

[@Ms80Summer]

I truly love how they go to such great lengths to try & safeguard these crabs 🥰. It really must be a sight in person!

[@kjbeats57]

We built a big ah road straight through their path we owe it to them.

[@unknown-zj8hk]

They not only guard the crab they also want the driver go safety. If the smash lot of crab and also will damage their car tires which means they guard both crab and driver

[@ARNAV.KAREKAR]

Really appreciate the efforts of Government there and most importantly the residents of Island to protect these crabs in best possible ways. The road underways, bridges, diversions, road blockages designed perfectly for thee crabs!!! Amazing!!!

[@nagarajb1935]

I love you guys.... For taking a lot of steps for saving those crabs.....

[@LuisCarlos-cs3zq]

A similar thing happens here in Cuba, millions of crabs migrate every year to the Bay of Pigs area. Many crushed by cars on the roads

[@f2afinito983]

That is so freaking awesome that you guys go through all that work to save them. I’m not going to lie I’m crying a lil bit. So beautiful there are good people still out there.

[@ameliawarfield5637]

The red crabs of Christmas Island are absolutely beautiful, and awesome.

[@jonghyunskazoo]

i was like oh this would be cool to experience until she said people find them in their beds... that's my limit 😅

[@aetolius]

this is absolutely amazing. and the dancing/bouncing makes it even better.

[@yaoxai]

i like how the shot with the crab bridge, u see things on the road like 3:37, and its so funny to think that some just, jumped off

[@IceBerg1620]

love how the crabs even enter buildings and climb the stairs lmao.

[@Allyourbase1990]

That’s so crazy how many there are

[@flytrapYTP]

This is so incredibly silly, I love it.

[@rahsaanpringle3583]

Wood pallets and plywood might solve the problem. Here in the US, the pallets are junk. On the island, most vehicles could probably drive over them without the plywood. You could probably get enough to fix the problem in one shipment.

[@marsiling]

We don’t even have proper bridges for humans!

[@PowerScissor]

Searching for male red crabs of Christmas Island and all 10 videos Ive watched only mention the females. Do the males fertilize the eggs in the forest, travel to the ocean, or? Anyone know?

[@magnakruger3255]

There are 40 million! Why are they protected? Just curious not sceptic. Do they only live there?

[@santiagocabrera]

Because they are Endemic; you cant find these anywhere else

[@pundit5682]

Also, they are already under pressure due to the predation by the disgusting yellow crazy ants which are not even native to the island and are invasive, introduced by humans

[@bebekhappy2524]

I heard when you accidentally run down a crab you said "Oh crab"

[@anjaangell]

Crabs eat other crabs?!?

[@markarca6360]

Crab Rave IRL

[@obadiahrichard4605]

Making bridge for Crabs 🦀 to cross ...

[@enolahomesenolahomes5319]

When I see baby crabs scattering in the whole island, I think government should recognize or give the Christmas island for crabs.

[@BorgyManotoyOnline]

are they edible? will there be like over population of red crabs? just curious :)

[@wip1664]

Like a different form of midwifery. Very kind of you 🙂

[@fumie4996]

Seafood heaven

[@seth.b]

Joking about eating animals isn’t funny

[@chumbawampa]

CRAAAB PEOPLE CRAAAAB PEOPLE

[@justme-dq5sp]

are they edible crabs?

[@87654321j]

0:02 ahhhh it is cold so cold ❄️🤣

[@mizuhayt]

How do the crabs know where the ocean is? How do they know the directions?

[@RatchetSly]

They're on an island; all they need to know is to head downhill and eventually they'll hit water!

[@smears6039]

How do the birds know where to fly halfway across the globe? It’s just a beautiful instinct passed down from the ones that came before them❤

[@FragzPlays]

Great work she’s doing

[@andrenewman4052]

How do the babies get bk to the forest?

[@RastaVidaOffici]

Hey what's on the menu tonight? Crab😂

[@angelb.channel8021]

Are they edible?

[@michaelmclachlan1650]

No. The meat is very poor and as they're a protected species you're not allowed to harm them.

[@CatboyChemicalSociety]

@@michaelmclachlan1650 I mean there would be people who would still try one just to eat a meme!!

[@peanut1001x]

how long do you close the roads for?

[@Cartoonshipper]

Imagine finding a crab in your bed

[@evanR09-2]

Are these crabs edible?

[@peanut1001x]

are red crabs only on Christmas Island?

[@Ilnatica]

They should have never allowed people to build on island. They should have left it all for the crab. Those poor crabs are lost climbing up the stairs.

[@lukislisan]

ARE THEY TOXIC?? IF YOU CANNOT EAT IT

[@michaelmclachlan1650]

Not toxic but apparently the meat is very poor. Regardless, they're a protected species.

[@officalpage7]

40 million 😮 who count the crabs?

[@CrabDescription]

i need to catch them.

[@shravanhegde741]

They don’t bite?

[@Manananggal-oe8gs]

Are they going back to the forest after releasing their eggs?

[@netronet7566]

only in australia

[@edwilko8819]

fantastic change was awful seeing them all get crashed by cars

[@UncleLumbago1899]

Alexa play Crab Rave

[@ronaldlatorilla]

can you eat the crabs?

[@melissatrader8528]

Wow they're cannibals

[@valentinbeholder]

so nobody eat these in there?

[@rustyfan89]

I thought they were considered an invasive species, if that’s true how can they also be a protected species

[@frafgogg591]

C R A B R A V E

[@jphaolai526]

.." saving alot of crabs .." ...😂😂

[@Winch_Largo]

this island belongs the crabs and the humans are here the big problem and not the crabs. looked this small island, why leaves humans in this island.

[@bubbleteaichooseyou]

Say that to the people who live in the Island

[@WilsonsKennel]

I see a great business opportunity

[@missflowrota9223]

Nope if they came in my house they would be dinner

[@kingsleyonweninaeke5495]

😂😂

[@kingsleyonweninaeke5495]

I was going to ask if nobody eats 🦀 there

[@michaelmclachlan1650]

@@kingsleyonweninaeke5495 No, they're not eaten. Firstly the meat is very poor and secondly they're a protected species.

[@LindaMerchant-bq2hp]

Sebastians (little mermaid) running about

[@fredegerry9966]

Money money money money money!!!

[@toyanthaog5109]

🧽

[@bernzeppi]

Give us me back my crabs. Crabs taste good.

[@michaelmclachlan1650]

These ones don't and they're a protected species.

[@ninjatoad89]

isnt it better to build them tunnels beneath the roads?

[@disaster1100able]

Snow crabs are the best to eat 🦀

[@YamatoNaoe]

Who here after watching Crab Rave music video?

[@markarca6360]

🙆

[@kalulew]

Are they good to eat? I don't get how come there are so many of them...makes me think that it's not good to eat

[@MafiaAt2amLIVE]

I don't have the patience to live on that island let alone visit

[@Sukz0r]

TikTok-brain over here boys

[@lonelee4947]

How can eat these 🤔

[@acsone3546]

So these are land crabs

[@thePHreview]

Can you eat this kind of crab?

[@Lily-gs9iv]

No. They're not edible.

[@danyaradimacher6581]

Yes you can eat them

[@Tertium94]

@@danyaradimacher6581 they're not edible

[@Foreveralonecuuuh]

Yes you can

[@matteomartinez3794]

When there’s that many crabs would some people literally just catch and cook them?

[@Joshdyisdifh]

The crabs are inedible.

[@darrenarcenal1373]

I only have one question, can that be eaten?

[@cadenb4207]

no, they aren’t really edible for us and killing them is illegal. that’s why they close roads for them to migrate

[@theamnz5285]

Despite its great numbers, Christmas Island red crabs are not considered edible, at least not edible to humans.

[@danyaradimacher6581]

Yes you can eat them they’re delicious

[@michaelmclachlan1650]

As stated, they're poor eating. Also, they're a protected species so harming them is illegal.

[@devikalitara9832]

Its funny once the water hits them they dance

[@thetruth3068]

There must be tons of dead crabs every where, and some corpses probably hidden and hard to find. It probably smells terrible there.

[@JustANormalUser215]

(Crab rave intensities)

[@StickFiguresMaster]

🎵 Du du du du, du du du du 🎵 🎵 Du de de de du, de de de du 🎵 🎵 De de de du, de du du du du de du 🎵

[@elonekezhoeshena2190]

Is this edible

[@edh.2948]

Give it a try

[@jessicajoute3450]

Im here i will cook crab everyday

[@angelagomez3603]

Crab rave

[@vijaykumarnadaraja531]

Are red crabs edible? Are they good to eat?

[@leadoug1163]

I know robber crabs are edible and I'm almost certain these are robber crabs too

[@emily-fg6wl]

@@leadoug1163 There are also Robber Crabs (also called Coconut Crabs) on Christmas Island, however these are a different species known as the Christmas Island Red Crab or just red crab for short

[@leadoug1163]

@@emily-fg6wl ah thank you for the clarification. 😁👍

[@theamnz5285]

Despite its great numbers, Christmas Island red crabs are not considered edible, at least not edible to humans.

[@anzaeria]

@@leadoug1163 The red crabs are not robber crabs.

[@G0REGF_]

Crab Crab Crab Crab Crab Crab Crab Crab Crab

[@josephthomas5679]

They are millions of crabs, how do the government controls the population of crabs? Is there a harvesting season perhaps

[@flytrapYTP]

No, because the number of crabs is naturally high. It's supposed to be like that.

[@Lotnokri]

its because their natural predator is extinct, see maclear's rat on wiki. there is another predator for them tho but its an invasive species from africa which is yellow ant@@flytrapYTP

[@GUCCI_MOPAR2023]

I be doing dount

[@thundergotham9518]

Is anything being done about the goddam yellow ants???

[@Ireallyhatetaylorswift]

“Mom the street is turning red again”

[@adamd6835]

Look at all that food you can just pick up and cook.

[@nadarith1044]

They aren't edible and are protected.

[@kacperdubrawski8944]

I just wonder, If there are 40 million crabs on this island why are they so protected?

[@edjing744]

There are billions of people in earth, why are we prorected?

[@flytrapYTP]

40 million crabs really isn't a lot.

[@akallstar5]

@@edjing744 Humanity is of higher priority than animals, as they ought to be.

[@smears6039]

@@akallstar5wow you sound like a terrible person and an unworthy shepherd of this beautiful planet

[@nadarith1044]

@@akallstar5 Arrogance.

[@intoodeepstl314]

Why are you helping the crabs?

[@stephanies.114]

They care about the wildlife and not seeing squished crab in the road. The number of crabs that are crossing the road that time of year and the time it would take to clean the road/damage it would do to their car. No different than if you hit an animal that ran out in front of you car driving, wherever you live.

[@nadarith1044]

Why are you not?

[@ProfessionalWaste]

Oh so they can walk forward?thats why we cant eat them

[@ricojiraisinshansui472]

Money money money money

[@frankyfoodlover5469]

Can I go there and eat crabs as much as I want? I mean go to the street and grab , like a hundred and make a delicious lunch ?

[@theamnz5285]

Despite its great numbers, Christmas Island red crabs are not considered edible, at least not edible to humans.

[@instgtr5200]

@@theamnz5285 why? Give me a reason

[@theamnz5285]

@@instgtr5200 A quick Google search tells me that they are not considered to have a good flavour and they’re too small to be viable as a food as the meat (of which there is very little) is 90% water anyway. So I can only conclude that the reasons they don’t make good eating are the poor flavour and the tiny size.

[@instgtr5200]

@@theamnz5285 ok thanks for explaining. But i'll still eat they all look too delightfull

[@ADHDandD]

@@instgtr5200 they’re also protected

[@PerfectaRhyme]

Those crabs are delicious 😋. You just can't catch them on Christmas Island you gotta go in the water and snag em and boil them good. Mmmmmmmmmmm

[@Stunnafafadef_Utwerk_Iwatch]

Princess mako princess kako

[@cosmiclyrics6397]

Maut se darr nhi lagta kya inlogo ko😶😷

[@ValueYourTimeOnEarth]

Free food

[@nadarith1044]

They aren't edible and are protected.

[@ritaadler]

❤

[@suchi1349]

Can i eat red crab? because in thailand we alway cook with papaya sald

[@unnamed__3]

pu vana special report

[@KINGMAYABZE]

Crabs and lobsters 🦞 are Red like bloods 😂😂

[@revekat2053]

There’s blue lobster’s and crabs.

[@KINGMAYABZE]

@@revekat2053 it's a blue fish not a lobster that sits in the bottom of the ocean floor

[@hisyamuddinhamirudin4151]

Crab land

[@ESter-hj7vd]

Why are you saving the crab? It’s useless,you can’t eat it,you can’t do nothing to it,can’t help in any way shape or form ,so why you saving the crabs? What are they used for?

[@Ivan-bk9xs]

the diversity of life has value in itself outside human economic needs

[@nadarith1044]

Have you ever considered that value of life isn't tied to their usefulness to humans?

[@pareshjoglekar0507]

I am on Sea Food diet... I see food and eat it

[@epicrango1911]

Congratulations now you are part of food clan if someone killed u for food u can't even compliant to God 😁

[@SonGoku-qm3tr]

Holy crab