Earlier this August, park rangers patrolling at the Panoen Thung checkpoint Kaeng Krachan National Park, Thailand, have received a wondrous gift from mother nature, as they stumbled upon the exquisite “Sirindhorn” or “Princess” crab.
As captured in a post uploaded by Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation’s Facebook account, the Sirindhorn is no ordinary crab, but an extremely rare purple colored crab.
This striking purple crustacean adds an intriguing dash of color to the national park’s collection of diverse wildlife.
Sirindhorn and the origin of their name
One interesting fact about this elusive purple crab species is that it is named after Thailand’s Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, hence the name Sirindhorn which means princess, as explained in Popular Science. Additionally, according to Huahin Locality Guide, the vibrant purple hue symbolizes Saturday—the princess’ day of birth.
However, they are commonly identified as Panda Crabs (Lepidothelphusa cognetti)—a semi-terrestrial crab with black and white patterns, resembling those of a panda. When completely grown, the crab’s back shell or carapace can reach around an inch long.
The Bangkok Post reported that the panda crab was initially spotted back in 1986 at Ngao Waterfall National Park, albeit other reports suggest that the black and white crustacean was discovered earlier.
The Panda Crab Species
While the purple variety of panda crabs were just discovered, the original black-and-white version of this specimen has been spotted earlier in the same park.
According to Aquatic Arts and Thaiger.com, the panda crab is a visually appealing freshwater invertebrate, widely known for its panda-like marking. The panda crab typically likes to reside in well-structured environments with areas where it can climb and hide in. Given its peaceful behavior, this semi-terrestrial crab is a favorite among community aquariums.
Since the crab lives in clear, rocky creeks around 100 meters above sea surface, the panda crab is especially vulnerable to pollution and habitat loss. Therefore, like the purple type, the panda crab is also in dire need of conservation efforts in order to sustain Thailand’s natural heritage.
What makes the Sirindhorn purple?
The precise explanation on why this crab is purple-colored is still undiscovered, since the purple Sirindhorn crab has only been found recently. Nonetheless, according to Hindustan Times, as mentioned in a National Geographic Report, the particular violet hue might have evolved by chance, as a general visual signal for recognition.
Sirindhorn purple crab as a sign of healthy ecosystem
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kaeng Krachan National Park is renowned for its outstanding biodiversity, serving as a vital habitat where protected wildlife species seek refuge. The recent appearance of the exquisite purple Sirindhorn crab further emphasizes both the park’s rich array of species and exceptional environmental quality, particularly its forest ecosystems.
The sighting of the rare crustacean indicates how Kaeng Krachan National Park is able to maintain a balanced healthy ecosystem, hence why it makes it more important to preserve the wildlife of this World Heritage forest. Beyond crabs, the national park is also home to other diverse faunas, such as bears, leopards, king cobras, and broadbill birds.
