Species · GBIF taxon 4645892
Christmas Island Red Crab
Gecarcoidea natalisAlso known as Red Land Crab, Christmas Island Crab
Christmas Island red crabs are famous for their spectacular synchronized annual migrations, when millions of bright red crabs emerge from the forest floor to march toward the ocean to spawn. These forest-dwelling land crabs spend most of the year solitary in deep, moist burrows, playing a vital ecological role by consuming leaf litter and recycling nutrients. Their survival is heavily threatened by invasive yellow crazy ants, which form supercolonies and kill millions of crabs with formic acid.
MigratoryForest DwellerEndemic
Licensed reference(c) John Tann, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Fallen leaves
- Fallen fruits
- Seedlings
Predators
- Yellow crazy ants
- Robber crabs
- Rufous night herons
ThreatsInvasive yellow crazy ants, road traffic during migration, and habitat dehydration
HabitatsMoist rainforests, limestone karst crevices, and coastal terraces
Life spanUp to 12 to 15 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyGecarcinidae
- SpeciesGecarcoidea natalis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Equipped with powerful claws that can deliver a painful pinch; observe from a respectful distance.
- What to notice
- Look for bright red, fist-sized crabs moving in massive synchronized waves toward the coast during the wet season.
- Support conservation
- Keep a safe distance, never block their path to the sea, and strictly adhere to local road closures.
Responsible observation
- Watch your step: During migration season, walk carefully to avoid stepping on crabs carpeting the forest floor and roads.
- Respect road closures: Follow local conservation signs and detours designed to protect migrating crabs from vehicle traffic.
- Do not handle: Avoid picking up crabs, as they stress easily and can pinch defensively with their strong claws.
Co-occurring Competitor (c) David Stanley, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Invasive Predator (c) Nigel Main, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nigel Main · cc-by
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