That’s great, but what about the crabs?
As artificial intelligence continues to advance rapidly, it’s important to remember the natural world, particularly the fascinating annual migration of Christmas Island’s red crabs. This spectacular event is so impressive that renowned broadcaster Sir David Attenborough once called it one of his greatest television moments during his visit in 1990.
Each year, millions of red crabs embark from the island’s lush forests, traversing roads, streams, rocky landscapes, and sandy beaches on their journey to the ocean. Each female crab can lay up to 100,000 eggs, marking a critical moment in the species’ lifecycle. The minuscule baby crabs that survive their perilous journey take approximately nine days to make their way back to the relative safety of the forest plateau.
As environmental considerations come to the fore, Google is seeking approvals for its subsea cables around the island. This has raised questions about how such developments might impact the natural rhythms of Christmas Island’s most celebrated inhabitants. According to Parks Australia, the crab migration for 2025 has already commenced, with a significant spawning event anticipated around November 15–16.
During the climactic peak of migration, road closures are implemented on short notice to ensure the safety of these migrations. Innovative measures like specially constructed crab bridges have been developed to assist the crabs in successfully crossing roads, a testament to the island’s commitment to preserving its unique ecosystem.
While the annual migration is a consistent feature, the survival rates of baby crabs vary significantly. Many face predation from fish, manta rays, and whale sharks, making survival a true challenge. Successful migration events, which occur infrequently—often just once or twice per decade—are crucial. These events significantly contribute to sustaining the island’s red crab population.
How Google’s expanding infrastructure will coexist with this incredible migration remains to be clarified, especially given the scale of the event. Reports indicate that environmental precautions are being put in place, yet it’s clear that, when it comes to the rhythms of nature, the crabs reign supreme.
This information was updated on November 6, 2025, at 10:49 PM ET to include Google’s statement regarding their plans. An earlier version erroneously indicated that Google intended to establish a military-focused AI data center on Christmas Island.
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Image Credit: arstechnica.com
