This crab migration is so massive they had to build special roads #wildlife #facts #shorts

Added: 2026-05-17

[00:00:00]Millions of crabs.

[00:00:03]Did you know that on Christmas Island millions of red crabs migrate to the sea at the same time?

[00:00:10]This incredible event is called the red crab migration and it usually happens between October and December after the first heavy rains of the wet season.

[00:00:22]But why do these crabs live in the forest?

[00:00:25]The forest is humid and cool which helps keep their bodies moist.

[00:00:30]Red crabs breathe through gills so they need damp air to survive.

[00:00:35]The forest is also full of leaves, fruits, flowers, and [music] plants that they eat every day.

[00:00:41]So why do they suddenly go to the ocean?

[00:00:44]The answer is reproduction. Every year millions of crabs suddenly begin a massive journey to the coast.

[00:00:52]The males arrive first and dig burrows near the ocean.

[00:00:57]After mating the females carry thousands of eggs under their bodies for about two weeks.

[00:01:04]Then during the perfect moment of the lunar cycle the females release the eggs into the sea.

[00:01:12]Once the tiny baby crabs hatch, they spend several weeks in the ocean before returning to the island and move back into the forest where they live most of their life.

[00:01:24]The migration is so huge that roads are closed and special crab bridges are built to protect them.

[00:01:32]Fill in the blank with the correct answer.

[00:01:40]Would you cross this road?