‘Dragon’-like creatures seen mating at cave in Thailand. They’re a new species
At a cave of northern Thailand, a “dragon”-like creature with “long” legs moved across the rock wall to reach a potential mate. The pair blended in with the stone but not quite enough to avoid detection.
Visiting scientists found the mating animals — and discovered a new species.
A team of researchers visited Pha Daeng Cave in 2024 as part of a project to survey wildlife “in unexplored areas of (Thailand), especially karst” rock habitats, according to a study published Oct. 14 in the peer-reviewed journal Tropical Natural History.
During their fieldwork, researchers climbed up some rock formations and found dozens of unfamiliar-looking millipedes on the walls and in crevices, the study said. They took a closer look at the animals and soon realized they’d discovered a new species: Desmoxytes chaofa, or the princess dragon millipede.
Princess dragon millipedes have about 20 body segments and can reach just over an inch in length, researchers said. Their antennae are “slender,” and their legs are “long.” Each of their body segments has several bumps and a pair of “wing-like” spike structures.
Photos show the “dark brown” coloring of the new species and its jagged appearance. The millipede’s coloring “allows it to blend visually with the brown or black humid rocks, which may contribute to concealment in its habitat,” researchers said.
Princess dragon millipedes were seen mating and “moving along rock walls,” the study said. “The rocky surfaces in this environment are covered with moisture-retaining mosses, while small herbaceous plants emerge from the crevices, possibly contributing to the overall damp microhabitat essential for the species’ survival.”
Researchers said they named the new species after the Thai word “chaofa” which “signifies a royal princess of the Thai monarchy.” The name honors Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand who is “renowned for her dedication to biodiversity research and environmental conservation.”
So far, princess dragon millipedes have only been found at Pha Daeng Cave and “a few nearby locations” in Mae Hong Son Province, a region of northwestern Thailand bordering Myanmar, the study said.
The new species was identified by its coloring, body proportions, genitalia and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had at least 10% genetic divergence from related species.
The research team included Ruttapon Srisonchai, Khanet Srikampha, Theemaporn Benchapong and Somsak Panha.
The team also discovered a second new species of dragon millipede with pink legs.
This story was originally published October 16, 2025 at 8:01 AM with the headline "‘Dragon’-like creatures seen mating at cave in Thailand. They’re a new species."
