For most of the year, red crabs either burrow or seek refuge in deep rock crevices, staying hidden from view. During the dry season, they seal the entrances to their burrows with leaves to maintain higher humidity levels inside, as they are sensitive to dry conditions, effectively disappearing for months.
Between October and December, as the rainy season approaches, the red crabs embark on their incredible migration, abandoning their burrows and heading towards the shores of the Indian Ocean for mating and spawning. The colorful throngs of crabs are led by the males, closely followed by the females. This migration can take up to a week, covering vast distances during their journey. To ensure the safe passage of these migrating crabs, park officials and workers have constructed specially designed crab bridges and underpasses along the roads.
The exact timing of their egg-laying is determined by a specific lunar phase, occurring during the last quarter of the moon, just before the ebbing tide. Astonishingly, these remarkable creatures seem to have an innate knowledge of the ideal date to lay their eggs.
Upon reaching the shore, the crabs first immerse themselves in the ocean to rehydrate. Afterward, males establish pits on the lower terraces of the shore. Given the high density of burrows, males often engage in skirmishes over burrow ownership. Females join the males on these terraces, mating inside the pits. Following mating, the males return to the ocean and begin their journey back to their usual habitats.
Despite the challenges and losses endured by the red crab population, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has not yet classified them on its Red List, signifying that their overall conservation status is yet to be evaluated.
