Krabi fisherman nets mutant horseshoe crab

KRABI: A Krabi fisherman discovered a mutant horseshoe crab with six tails last week.

“I was surprised to find the strange horseshoe crab among the fish and shrimp in my net,” said 63-year-old Matya Thamsuan. “Normally, they only have one long tail, but this one had six small curving tails that look like tiny elephant tusks – each about 2 to 5 centimeters long.”

Intrigued by his strange catch, Mr Matya decided to keep the marine arthropod alive in a bucket. Neighbors began to visit his house daily to see the mutant creature.

“I contacted the Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, Trang Campus, so they could study the creature,” Mr Matya said. “Maybe this is something completely new.”

— Kritsada Mueanhawong