The annual migration of red crabs has begun on Australia's Christmas Island, reports ABC.
Millions of crabs have taken over the island's roads, making their way from the forest to the ocean. There, males and females will mate and then release their eggs into the ocean. These eggs will hatch into larvae that will develop into young crabs within a month and begin their migration back to the forest.
According to Alexia Jankowski, acting director of the island's National Park, this year's crab migration has started a little earlier than usual. This has only pleased the locals, who, as Jankowski notes, are always delighted by this phenomenon.
Drivers avoid unnecessary trips early in the morning and late at night to give the crabs time to move freely. For the same reason, those who can work from home avoid going to the office. Locals carry rakes and leaf blowers to help the crabs overcome any obstacles they encounter.
Local resident Oliver Lines compared the crab migration to a red carpet spread out along the coast. During this time, the island attracts many tourists. “This is one of the most incredible wildlife experiences you can see anywhere on the planet,“ said the chairman of the local tourism association.