Freshwater Crab

Description:

Malacostraca; Decapoda; Gecarcinucidae; Unidentified Parathelphusinae. The body, legs and claws are all dark brown with small areas of lighter brown. The tips of the claws ( I think the scientific word is Chelae) are reddish, perhaps a warning.. mind your fingers!

Habitat:

I spotted this Freshwater Crab in the rice field behind our house. They seem to have a strong presence in rice fields during the rainy season when the rice is planted and growing. They are only occasionally seen in the fields when they are parched in the dry season.