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Red Crabs Long Trek To The Coast.

mutant_bunny · Sep 14, 2011 15:07 4 39
mutant_bunny OP
Sep 14, 2011 15:07
A 100-million-strong army of red land crabs embarks on a hazardous journey every November.

4 replies
mutant_bunny OP
Sep 14, 2011 15:11
#1
The onset of the rains signals the start of the exodus from their native rain forest on Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean to the sea. Marching in the cooler parts of the day, the crabs clamber across anything in their path. A million perish on the roads during the two week journey.

Mature males arrive at the coast first and fight for the best mating burrows before the females join them. After mating, the males head home while the females wait for their eggs to develop. Two weeks later, at the water's edge, they shake out thousands of eggs from their brood pouches and set of home themselves, followed after 25days by an army of miniature crabs, each no more than 5mm wide.
Ginamarie
Sep 14, 2011 15:59
#2
Hmmm seen this on discovery or nat.geo i wudnt believe it unless i saw for myself, its amazin they r so wide in number, that d ppl out thr hv to literally use brooms to sweep them out of their houses they r a real nuisance for them!
EpIcInCoGnItO
Sep 14, 2011 18:42
#3
smiley Another wonderful display of nature.
Eternal_Knight
Sep 15, 2011 01:08
#4
beautiful absolutely beautiful. Had seen this documentary on discovery channel.