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**Sri Lanka Red Crab
Scientific name: Ceylonthelphusa sanguinea
Article (short):
A living spark of color on mossy rocks, the Sri Lanka Red Crab is a highly localised stream specialist whose brilliant shell makes it an unforgettable sight — and a casualty of even minor stream degradation. When these freshwater crabs are lost, the small mountain ecosystems they support lose resilience.
Quick facts
Status (approx.): Critically endangered / micro-endemic.
Range: Knuckles and central highland streams (Sri Lanka).
Habitat: Fast-flowing headwater streams, mossy boulders and seep zones.
Diet: Omnivore -detritus, small inverts, organic film.
Lifespan: Several years (crustacean standard).
Reproduction: Brooded eggs; juveniles require stable water quality.
Ecological role: Stream nutrient cycling; prey for freshwater predators.
Main threats: Habitat modification, siltation, pollution, invasive species.
2025 October 27