‘Vampire’-like creature found lurking along road in Malaysia. It’s a new species
As darkness fell across a mountain in Malaysia, a “vampire”-like creature crawled inside a burrow near the road and waited. But the night wouldn’t be restful.
Passing scientists spotted the lurking animal — and discovered a new species.
A team of researchers trekked up Mount Jerai in October 2023 to survey wildlife, according to a study published March 19 in the peer-reviewed journal Raffles Bulletin of Zoology.
During one of their nighttime searches, the team found a few unfamiliar-looking crabs, the study said. They took a closer look at the animals and quickly realized they’d discovered a new species: Geosesarma bunian, or the Bunian vampire crab.
Bunian vampire crabs have relatively square bodies, measuring about half an inch across, the study said. Their legs are “long” and “slender,” and they have a slightly rough texture.
Photos shared on Facebook by Fish in the News show the distinctive coloring of the new species. Its head and claws are light yellow, while its lower body and legs are bluish-black.
Bunian vampire crabs were found at night “in burrows” near a road leading to the summit of a mountain at an elevation of about 3,800 feet, the study said. Some crabs were also seen on shrubs, suggesting the new species may live in trees.
Researchers said they named the new species after the Bunian, also known as the Orang Bunian, a hidden forest people of Malaysian folklore who “are often described as beautifully dressed.” The name “alludes to the beautiful colours of the new species as well as it escaping scientific attention until now.”
So far, Bunian vampire crabs have only been found at one site on Mount Jerai, a peak in peninsular Malaysia and near the border with Thailand.
The new species was identified by its coloring, preferred habitat, appendage shape, body proportions and other subtle physical features, the study said. Researchers did not provide a DNA analysis of the new species.
The research team included Peter Ng, S. Khadijah-Ahmad and Amirrudin Ahmad.
This story was originally published March 20, 2025 at 11:00 AM with the headline "‘Vampire’-like creature found lurking along road in Malaysia. It’s a new species."
