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Pictured: Millions of migrating crabs force roads to close on Christmas Island

Migrating red crabs in Christmas Island, Australia

Millions of red crabs are slowly making their way towards the sea in their annual mass migration – and the local authority has even closed the roads for them.

Migrating red crabs in Christmas Island, Australia

The swarm of creatures began their slow trip from the rainforest on Christmas Island, Australia, to the Indian Ocean on Friday.

Most of the adult crabs migrate every year to breed and lay eggs in the water.

They have to wait for the wet season to start before they leave to make their trip easier.

Staff members monitor them all the way and roads are closed for at least a week so they aren’t injured.

They left it later than usual this year, as the wet season usually starts in November, and so will continue in to the New Year.

Movement peaks in the early morning and late afternoons when it is cooler with more shade.

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