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Caribbean hermit crab mass migration, U.S. Virgin Islands

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Photographer Steve Simonsen films an epicΒ Caribbean hermit crab mass migration at Nanny Point, St. John, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. This video has gone viral, and it’s pretty clear as to why! How many thousands and thousands and thousands of crabs are on this beach?! From ABC News:Β 

Hermit crabs, also known as soldier crabs, are found throughout the Caribbean islands and take part in a great migration en masse annually in August to mate.Β The crustaceans travel to the beach, leave their shells and enter the water to lay eggs, according toΒ Smithosianmag.com. After spending two minutes in the water, Simonsen said the crabs turn around, return to land and make their way home.

People who live on St. John know this happens in August. I’ve never been able to see it or know when it happens,” said Simonsen, who plans to study the creature’s migrations, moon phases, tides and stake out beaches next August to see the phenomenon again.

You can read more about “crazy crab migrations” on SmithsonianMag.com.

Thanks,Β @ceili.


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