Author Tanya Hattingh ◦
The land of crabs – where there are more than 20 land crab species (and > 160 species in the reefs and shallows).
The number of Christmas Island Red Crabs is thought to be about 100 million — however the number is now threatened by the invasive yellow crazy ant — thought to have killed 10–15 million crabs in recent years.
The Robber Crab (Birgus latro) – listed as *Vulnerable.
So called “Robber Crab”, as they can pick up and take off with any objects – they are known to take shiny silverware etc from camps. They are thought to reach 50-70 years of age. Christmas Island now supports the world’s largest population.
Christmas Island Blue Crab (Tuerkayana celeste)
Christmas Island is the only location in this crab’s range where the crab has a blue carapace – normal colouring is a brown to black carapace with red appendages.
Little Nipper (Geograpsus grayi)
Found on Christmas Island.
Jackson’s Crab (Karstarma jacksoni)
Endemic to Christmas Island.
Red Crab (Gecarcoidea natalis) with mango
Red crabs are mostly vegetarian, eating fallen leaves, fruits, flowers, and seedlings. They will also eat other dead crabs, birds, and the giant African snail.
Red Crab (Gecarcoidea natalis) feasting on fellow road killed Red Crab
Red crabs are mostly vegetarian, eating fallen leaves, fruits, flowers, and seedlings. They will also eat other dead crabs, birds, and the giant African snail.
Yellow Crazy Ants (Anoplolepis gracilipes)
Invasive ants accidents introduced to Christmas Island and many other tropical locations. They have formed super colonies on Christmas Island.
Road Closed
Road closed on Christmas Island to protect the Red Crab migration.
