On 28 March 2025 the government assumed a Caretaker role. Information on websites maintained by Parks Australia will be published in accordance with the Guidance on Caretaker Conventions until after the conclusion of the caretaker period.

Search

Purple crab

Purple crab. Photo: Wondrous World Images
Purple crab. Photo: Wondrous World Images

Christmas Island is home to two striking species of purple crab.

Gecarcoidea humei are not very common but can be found all over the island. Measuring up to 15 cm across, these crabs also live in Aceh, the Nicobar Islands, the Straits of Malacca and Thailand’s Andaman Coast.

Found across South East Asia and the western Pacific,Gecarcoidea lalandii​ can sometimes be seen in moist areas of Christmas Island’s coast and forest. Growing up to 16 cm, they are dark purple on top and cream underneath. They are similar to red crabs and have been spotted joining the annual red crab migration.

Scientific name

Gecarcoidea humei​​​ / Gecarcoidea lalandii​