Latest news with #SirindhornCrab
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Rare purple Sirindhorn crab spotted in Thailand's Kaeng Krachan National Park; check pictures
Source: Facebook A rare purple crab species has been recently discovered in Thailand's Kaeng Krachan National Park, astonishing both wildlife enthusiasts and researchers. Officials hailed the sighting as a 'precious gift from nature', highlighting the crab's rarity and striking appearance. Known as the Sirindhorn Crab or 'Princess Crab,' this waterfall-dwelling species displays a remarkable combination of vivid purple and white coloration, making it one of the most extraordinary crustaceans documented in recent years. Belonging to the panda crab family, the purple variant is extremely uncommon, with few sightings recorded since the species was first documented. Beyond its visual appeal, the crab serves as an important indicator of ecosystem health, reflecting the pristine environmental conditions of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rare purple crab highlighting Thailand's nature and culture The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation published a series of photos capturing the alien-like purple crabs in their natural habitat. Park rangers were the first to spot these elusive creatures, carefully documenting them for both scientific study and public awareness. Known locally as the 'King Crab' or Sirindhorn Crab, this rare waterfall crab is distinguished by its bright white and purple coloration. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Wildlife Cameras Capture What No One Should See Ohi Blog Undo Its unusual appearance has immediately drawn global attention, making it a symbol of the park's rich biodiversity. Source: Facebook The appearance of the Sirindhorn Crab is more than a wildlife spectacle—it is a critical ecological indicator. According to park officials, the crab's presence signals the health and stability of Kaeng Krachan National Park's ecosystem, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its diverse flora and fauna. Protected species like this crab serve as benchmarks for forest and waterway quality. Their survival indicates that the park maintains clean water, unpolluted habitats, and balanced ecosystems, reinforcing the need for continued conservation efforts. Source: Facebook Sirindhorn crab is a rare purple crab named after Thai princess The Sirindhorn Crab is named in honor of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand and is affectionately called 'Princess'. This royal association not only highlights the crab's cultural significance but also emphasizes the importance of Thailand's natural heritage in scientific and public contexts. This species belongs to the panda crab family, which typically displays black-and-white markings. The purple variant is extremely rare, with few documented sightings. Some reports suggest that the species was first recorded at Ngao Waterfall National Park in 1986, while others indicate earlier observations. Despite belonging to a known crab family, little is understood about the purple variants, making their study crucial for both taxonomy and conservation science. Source: Facebook Understanding the purple hue of crab The violet coloration of the Sirindhorn Crab is thought to be an evolutionary occurrence without a specific functional purpose. According to Hendrik Freitag of the Senckenberg Museum of Zoology, the coloration likely serves as a visual recognition signal, but it does not have a defined ecological role. Such striking visual traits may have evolved randomly but serve as a distinctive marker that sets these crabs apart from other members of the panda crab family. Source: Facebook Global reactions and social media buzz The photos shared by the Thailand Park Department quickly went viral, capturing attention worldwide. Many described the crabs as stunning and magical, while some expressed disbelief at their unusual purple colouring. This discovery highlights not only the astonishing biodiversity of Thailand but also the importance of protected areas in preserving rare species. The sighting has sparked renewed interest in wildlife research, conservation, and ecological monitoring. Also Read | Jessica Radcliffe orca attack video confirmed as fake; attention turns to the Kiska the world's loneliest whale story - here's what you need to know
News18
4 days ago
- News18
Rare Purple ‘King Crab' Spotted In Thailand's World Heritage Forest
The sighting of an exclusive purple crab species in a viral post puzzled the internet after it was found at Thailand's Kaeng Krachan National Park. Thailand's Kaeng Krachan National Park has emerged as host to an exclusive crab species, sporting a vibrant purple colour, unlike any other crab in the world. A viral post left internet users stunned, containing images of the purple crab. According to a translation of the post on Facebook, the crabs were spotted by the park rangers, who also captured them in a series of eye-catching images. The park officials called it 'precious gift from nature", while also highlighting how rare the species is. 'Officials captured the last glimpse of a 'King Crab,' also known as the 'Sirindhorn Crab' a rare waterfall crab species. This crab, displaying its stunning white and purple colours, was a precious gift from nature," read the shared post. With the post, Kaeng Krachan National Park highlighted what the sighting of an exclusive purple crab may mean to the ecosystem and biodiversity. The park is also taking the survival of the King Crab as an indicator of the strong health of the forest and a reflection of their sustained efforts in preserving the animals inside it. 'The appearance of the king crab not only marks the discovery of a rare animal, but also serves as a key indicator of the health of the ecosystem in Kaeng Krachan National Park, a World Heritage Site renowned for its incredible biodiversity. The survival of this protected wildlife demonstrates the outstanding quality of the forest's environment," read the park's social media post. The King Crab, also named Sirindhorn Crab, derives its name from the princess of Thailand, Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The crab species belongs to the panda family, according to a report by Popular Science. The panda crabs are usually famous for their white-and-black markings. However, the sighting of a purple crab was still unexpected, as it is a rare variation of the same. Very little information is available about the panda crabs as it is, people know even less about the purple variant. Why The Purple Colour? According to a 2012 National Geographic report, Hendrik Freitag of the Senckenberg Museum of Zoology observed in a study that the purple hue of the crab may have developed by 'chance". 'The particular violet colouration might just have evolved by chance, and must not necessarily have a very specific function or reason aside from being a general visual signal for recognition," said Hendrik. The lucky sighting of the species has created a buzz on the internet, leaving users puzzled and amazed. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Rare sighting of purple crabs in Thailand: Vibrant pics of elusive species stun internet
An elusive crab species spotted in Thailand's Kaeng Krachan National Park has stunned the world with its vibrant purple hue. Officials called it a 'precious gift from nature', adding that this variety is extremely rare. Pictures show elusive purple crabs at Thailand's Kaeng Krachan National Park. (Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation) The department published a series of photos of the alien-looking crustaceans. According to the translated Facebook post, the park rangers spotted and pictured the crabs. 'Officials captured the last glimpse of a 'King Crab,' also known as the "Sirindhorn Crab," a rare waterfall crab species. This crab, displaying its stunning white and purple colours, was a precious gift from nature,' read a part of the share. What does sighting of the rare species mean? According to the park's social media post, 'The appearance of the king crab not only marks the discovery of a rare animal, but also serves as a key indicator of the health of the ecosystem in Kaeng Krachan National Park, a World Heritage Site renowned for its incredible biodiversity. The survival of this protected wildlife demonstrates the outstanding quality of the forest's environment.' The crab named after the princess of Thailand, Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, is often referred to as 'Princess' or 'Sirindhorn'. According to a Popular Science report, the crab species belongs to the panda crab family. These crabs are usually famous for their white-and-black markings. Purple crabs are a rare variation of this species. Some reports claim that the crab was initially documented in 1986 at Ngao Waterfall National Park, others argue it was much earlier than that. While there isn't much information about panda crabs, people know even less about the purple variants. Why the purple hue? 'The particular violet coloration might just have evolved by chance, and must not necessarily have a very specific function or reason aside from being a general visual signal for recognition,' Hendrik Freitag of Senckenberg Museum of Zoology observed in a study, according to a 2012 National Geographic report. The pictures shared on Thailand Park's social media have created a buzz. While some social media users called the crustaceans stunning, others confessed they couldn't believe the crabs were real.
Bangkok Post
06-07-2025
- Bangkok Post
Rare panda crab spotted in western Thai forest
PETCHABURI - A panda crab, also known as a Sirindhorn Crab, was spotted at a waterfall in Kaeng Krachan National Park, reaffirming the rich biodiversity of western Thai forests. The park Facebook page posted striking pictures of the freshwater species on Sunday, with a caption in Thai saying, 'when exploring the forest, keep your eyes sharp because nature always hides its wonders in plain sight.' The park chief, Mongkol Chaiphakdee, said the crab was spotted by a park officer in the Panoen Thung area, and the sighting highlights the rich biodiversity and the ecological conservation of the park. The panda crab was officially named in Thailand as (Chao Fa) Sirindhorn Crab in honour of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. It was first discovered in Ngao Waterfall National Park in Ranong Province and has since been found in other western waterfalls, such as Prachuap Khiri Khan's Huai Yai. The crab is known for its white carapace and claws, contrasted by dark purple-black legs. The species, listed as a protected animal under Thai Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act in 2019, inhabits small rocky creeks, about 100 metres above sea level. The lucky discovery underscored the importance of preserving the park's unique ecosystems, Mr Mongkol said.
