Every June thousands of horseshoe crabs make their way to Connecticut’s shoreline. These creatures, also known as living fossils, arrive under the full and new moons to participate in a mating ritual that has survived for millions of years. Their invasion of our coastline is nothing to be feared, but rather a miracle to be celebrated.
Each year from late May to early July, thousands of horseshoe crabs come to the coast. They migrate into the shallow waters along the shore to breed under the full moon and new moon when the tides are just right.
Wikimedia Commons/Asturnut (talk)
Their invasion of our shoreline may cause alarm for some, but this natural phenomenon is actually quite incredible.
Flickr/Victoria Pickering
Smaller male crabs attach themselves to the larger females who then drag one or more attached males to the shore.
Flickr/Paul VanDerWerf
The female crab digs a hole in the sand and lays a few thousand eggs while the males fertilize them. Unfortunately, not many of the eggs survive, they are a major food source for shorebirds.
Flickr/Jennifer
These living fossils aren’t just creatures from the past, they are important to humans today. Their distinctive blue blood is harvested for medical testing to make sure injectable drugs and medical implants are safe for humans.
Flickr/Chris Howard
Horseshoe crabs save lives daily in the medical field, but even on the shores they aren’t dangerous. Their claws are encased securely within their shells.
Flickr/Cameron McCormick
And even the crabs long scary spear-like tail can’t hurt you. These living fossils use their tails to steer them through the water or to flip themselves over if they get stranded on their backs.
Flickr/Matías Ignacio Fernández Gaete
Because horseshoe crabs are so important to humans, the US Fish and Wildlife Service has been tagging these crabs to research their activity. If you find a horseshoe crab that has a circular tag on its shell, please report it here.
Flickr/jpellgen (@1179_jp)
You can find horseshoe crabs spawning along the Connecticut shoreline at state parks like Rocky Neck, Hammonasett, and Silver Sands. Bluff Point, Milford Point, Indian Cove Beach, and Stratford Point are also great places to see this phenomenon occur each year.
Flickr/David Smith For your best chances to see this incredible animal activity, plan around the lunar calendar, and make sure you visit the beach during the full moon or new moon.
You can joint Mystic Aquarium staff on a horseshoe crab watch on June 28th at Bluff Point State Park. For more information about this event, visit their website.
Wikimedia Commons/Asturnut (talk)
Flickr/Victoria Pickering
Flickr/Paul VanDerWerf
Flickr/Jennifer
Flickr/Chris Howard
Flickr/Cameron McCormick
Flickr/Matías Ignacio Fernández Gaete
Flickr/jpellgen (@1179_jp)
Flickr/David Smith
For your best chances to see this incredible animal activity, plan around the lunar calendar, and make sure you visit the beach during the full moon or new moon.
Did you know about this yearly invasion of living fossils on our shores? How do you feel about horseshoe crabs? Let us know in the comments section below.
Horseshoe crabs are pretty ancient but so are dinosaurs. You might want to check out this spot in Connecticut where dinosaurs once roamed.
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