Every year in Christmas Island millions of Red Crabs migrate from their hiding places among the island's foliage to the seashore where they will breed and release their eggs.
The event has been called by National Geographic one of the most spectacular migrations in the world and the Internet is alight this week with individuals trying to get a look at the phenomenon.
The crabs' journey takes place in conjunction with the beginning of the wet season, which often takes place in November and December. The rain that this time period brings is key to keeping the crustacean hydrated on its trip to the ocean. As a result, if the rain is delayed, so are the crabs.
With an estimated 120 million Red Crabs living on the island, the event draws tourists from around the world; in fact, Island Explorer Holidays offers a round-trip vacation from Perth to Christmas Island just in time for the migration - all for the starting price of $1,500.
The time also marks a period of intensive work for local park rangers who are tasked every year with aiding the crabs in their journey. Small walls are built and paths cleared out in order to guide the crabs away from busy roads and out safely to the shore.
Such efforts, states a video produced by the local park service, has rendered scenes of cars and trucks steam-rolling their way across a mass of crabs merely "memories of the past."
On the other hand, as forests are cleared throughout the island, crabs face a higher risk of dying due to dehydration along the way, according to Christmas Island Tourism Authority.
The crabs found on Christmas Island grow slowly, only reaching sexual maturity after anywhere from four to five years. It is at this point that they begin participating in breeding migrations.
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