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One of the world's great wildlife migrations will reach a hectic climax in coming days when millions of red crabs make a dash for the water on Christmas Island.
When the tide is right, columns of determined females that have already endured a week-long march from their forest homes will plunge into the shallows.
With their claws raised about their heads, they'll vigorously 'shake their booties' like they're in a mosh pit at a dance party, releasing sacks of eggs from beneath their abdomens.
When the tide is right, female red crabs plunge into the shallows on Christmas Island
In footage of the natural phenomenon the crustaceans are seen swarming across roads, bridges, rocks and streams to reach their destination and breed
Those eggs will hatch almost immediately and the larvae will vanish into the sea only to return three to four weeks later as baby crabs. In a good year, entire rocky outcrops and stretches of sand can be blanketed in the tiny, scurrying creatures.
It's a reproductive marvel that never gets old for scientist Tanya Detto, who is working to protect the crabs from invasive species including the yellow crazy ant.
'The last six or seen years we've had some amazing baby
