Horseshoe Crab

Common Name: Horseshoe Crab

Scientific Name: Limulidae

Adaptations: The horseshoe crab has a pair of appendages called the chelicerae which help place food into it's mouth. It also has eyes on top of it's shell to find mates as well as five more eyes on the center part of his shell. Two can see ultraviolet and visible light. There are also two eyes under the crab that help the crab see when it's swimming underwater. This crab also has five pairs of legs: eight for walking or mating and two for insurance it won't get stuck in the sand.

Habitat: Horseshoe crabs live in various homes throughout their lives depending on their development stage. When it comes time to lay eggs the females lay them in soft coastlines. When they get to the juvenile stage they can be found on sandy ocean floor. Finally, adult crabs stay in deeper waters until it's time to lay more eggs.

Endangered/Threatened/or Not?: The horseshoe crab is threatened because of over harvesting and habitat loss. The horseshoe crab is used to catch eels and the mass development of buildings on beaches hinders them from being able to lay eggs.

Why the Horseshoe Crab?: When I first saw the horseshoe crab, I thought it was a type of stingray. When I found out it was a type of crab I was intrigued and I wanted to find out more about this crustacean.