This is the cute moment a four-year-old girl took her pet crab to school - only to cry as she was afraid it could bite her fingers.

Schoolteacher Supree Tonpong saw the child approaching her with tears in her eyes in Songkhla province on December 9.

The girl, Hongyok, was hesitant to answer while eyeing her pink backpack when the teacher asked her what happened.

"A crab," the girl finally said crying. The teacher caught on the back and checked what was inside.

When she flipped the student's bag open, she found a black flower crab crawling back and forth.

Shocked, Supree asked the girl how she caught a crab and after a few questions, Hongyok confessed that she and her sister wanted to have a pet crab.

Hongyok said: "My sister put the crab in my bag. We helped each other catch it from the ditch near our house."

The teacher then asked the child if she could release the sea creature back to where it belongs.

Hongyok warned Supree that the crab will snap on her fingers if she releases it. At first, the girl was reluctant but later agreed to have her pet crab released to the sea.

Supree said: "What am I supposed to do when students bring these things to school?"