I found this deceased Horseshoe Crab at Bridgeport, Connecticut’s Pleasure Beach in June. As you can see it has a large tag on it from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Here along the Connecticut coast Sacred Heart University is studying the Horseshoe Crab through Project Limulus. This effort monitors populations, helps to track individuals by tagging, seeks to better understand their biology, and works to aid the spawning process by protecting the species and educating the public. Learn more by visiting their website! I reported this individual, a male, which I was told was first tagged on May 27, 2010 in Branford, Connecticut. Very cool! Thank you to everyone who is doing this incredible work with the unique and stupendously important species. Horseshoe Crabs need our protection and help, and not just for the food web – even if we are concerned strictly with humans. They play a role in our health as their blood is used for medical testing and research in detecting toxins and bacteria, and may hold additional astonishing abilities that are actively being studied.
Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
