It gets its name from the horseshoe shape of its body. Behind its body is the slender, stiff spike of the telson or tail which is about as long as the body. It can look pretty scary too when you turn it over and see the six pairs of legs, five of which have claws. This crab is famous because it has been on the earth for millions of years, and because it has blue blood which scientists used for scientific projects, returning the crabs to the water after drawing their blood. It lays its eggs along the bay shores which provide much needed food for migrating birds.
Crabs are an important part of our eco-system.
Help give them clean water to live in. Until next time. The Website maintained by the Alliance for a Living Ocean.