It is called one of earth's most spectacular migrations
and is hailed as one of the wonders of the natural world.
During the monsoon season, the red crabs scurry
simultaneously through rainforests to the Indian Ocean.
Scientists say a hormone is key to the usually sedentary
species' sudden move.
The bright red land crabs are native to the small island,
which is an Australian territory but is near Indonesia, and there are an
estimated 120m living there.
They dig burrows in almost every square metre of
available soil or live in deep crevices in rock outcrops. For most of the year,
a crab will settle in one place, living in their burrow.
But during the monsoon season, in late November or early
December the crabs undergo a breeding migration.
They travel several kilometers over a few days, through
the rainforest, to eventually reach the sea where they mate and spawn.
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