The land crabs of Christmas Island are remarkable for their abundance and the role they play in the ecology of the island's rainforest. Christmas Island is home to twenty-three land or freshwater crabs.
Australia Post issued the fauna stamp set for their territory , Christmas Island, on June 7, 2011 and features the specific species the Land Crabs which available in Christmas Island. The issue comprises of 4 postage stamps which depicted Red crab (Gecarcoidea natalis), Robber crab (Birgus latro), Jackson's crab (Karstarma jacksoni), and Blue crab (Discoplax hirtipes) .
Red crab or Gecarcoidea natalis, is a species of land crab that is endemic to Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the Indian Ocean.
Its carapace is up to 116 mm wide, rounded, and encloses the gills. The claws are usually of equal size, unless one becomes injured or detached, in which case the limb will regenerate.The male crabs are generally larger than the females, while adult females have a much broader abdomen (only apparent above 3 years of age) and usually have smaller claws.
