by Ruby, age 9 from Christmas Island, Australia, asks Santa about the island’s famous red crab migration and how the island got its name.
Dear Santa, my name is Ruby, and I am nine years old. I live on Christmas Island, Australia, and my dad says every year millions of bright red crabs march across our roads on their way to the sea, so the whole island closes some streets just for them.
Dear Ruby, a whole island rearranging itself for red crabs might be the single best excuse for road closures I have ever heard, and I mean that as the highest compliment.
Santa, I have three questions.
Do you know about Christmas Island crabs? My teacher says there are over one hundred million of them.
I do know about them, Ruby, and honestly they might be the most famous residents on your entire island. Watching that bright red wave of crabs migrate to the ocean every year is one of nature’s great shows, and I always try to time my scouting flights to avoid interrupting rush hour.
Is it true Christmas Island is actually closer to Indonesia than to the rest of Australia?
It is true, Ruby, Christmas Island sits in the Indian Ocean much closer to Java than to mainland Australia, even though it belongs to Australia. I always double check my map before that particular stop, it is a wonderfully far-flung little island.
My dad says Christmas Island got its name because a sea captain sailed past it on December 25th a really long time ago. Is that true?
It is true, Ruby. An English sea captain named the island after sailing past it on Christmas Day back in 1643, and the name stuck ever since. It always makes me smile that an island named after my busiest night now spends its Decembers looking after crabs instead of chimneys, everyone celebrates in their own way.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Ruby Talbot
Christmas Island, Australia
P.S. Do the crabs know it is almost Christmas too?
I like to think they do, Ruby, they certainly dress the part in red.
