Millions of red crabs are emerging from their burrows and the forests of Christmas Island in what is expected to be one largest migrations in recent y

Christmas Island's red crab migration back to bumper levels after dry 2023

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2024-11-07 23:00:04

Millions of red crabs are emerging from their burrows and the forests of Christmas Island in what is expected to be one largest migrations in recent years.

Heavy rains have triggered the start of the crabs' movement towards the sea, leading to traffic delays and even road closures.

Junior ranger program leader Lin Gaff said the crabs were everywhere and inescapable this season, on the island territory 2,600km north west of Perth.

"It is actually quite weird to have crustaceans running around in your school oval and running into your patio and across your living room floor.

As many as 100 million red crabs have begun their mating and spawning season on Christmas Island. (Supplied: Parks Australia )

A Parks Australia spokeswoman said the annual red crab migration was in its early stages, and the area they were covering and number of crabs involved was still being assessed.

Ms Gaff said after dry weather in 2023 delayed the spawning season by nearly four months, it was a relief to have a return to a more normal timing.