But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids Are horseshoe crabs…crabs?
May 30, 2025
Sara Grady, a Senior Coastal Ecologist at Mass Audubon, joins to unravel the mysteries of horseshoe crabs, fascinating creatures that are more closely related to spiders than crabs. Discover why they mate along Atlantic coastlines and learn about their unique anatomy and behaviors. Grady discusses their ancient lineage, including whether they predate dinosaurs, and the amazing uses of their blue blood. Tune in to find out how humans can interact with these remarkable arthropods and the challenges they face in our changing environment!
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Horseshoe Crabs Aren't Crabs
- Horseshoe crabs are not true crabs; they are more closely related to spiders and scorpions.
- Their name comes from humans assuming they're crabs due to their claws and habitat, similar to misnamed animals like starfish and jellyfish.
Horseshoe Crabs' Longevity Secret
- Horseshoe crabs have survived over 450 million years by being tough and having an effective body shape.
- They generally lack many natural predators and are well adapted to their environment to endure extinctions.
Safe Horseshoe Crab Handling
- If you want to pick up a horseshoe crab, hold it by the rounded front shell like a bowl of cereal.
- Never pick it up by its tail or put your fingers between its shell segments to avoid pinching injuries.