I was watching the beauty of a waterfall — I believe it was Kathu Waterfall — in a jungle on the main island of Phuket in Thailand when I saw something nearby that I had never seen before: a tiny crab which was nowhere near the sea or ocean.
Sunday Morning Photograph June 5 2022: Tiny Red Land Crabs in Thailand.
This little fellow is known by its scientific name of phricotelphusa limula or Red Land Crab; and it is a species of decapods in the family Gecarcinucidae. Although it could number in the millions, it is considered to be very rare, as it is native only to the island of Phuket and is listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which is a membership union that is comprised of both government agencies and civil society organizations.
Also known as Fire-Red crab or waterfalls crab, the Red Land Crab is arguably one of the most beautiful fresh water crabs in the world with its bright red shell — especially when it is set against an algae green rock. They rely on drag powered swimming to move around.
Do not think of eating one, though — not only because it is a vulnerable and threatened species; but it is also so small that it could be mistaken as a bright red spider instead of a crab.
Final Boarding Call
The island of Phuket is the only place in the world where you will see the Red Land Crab in its natural habitat; so if you go there and happen to see one, leave it be. Just observe it as it scurries — or sits still.
Please click here for a complete list of the Sunday Morning Photograph series of articles at The Gate.
All photographs ©2009 by Brian Cohen.
