The Horseshoe Crab
For many, the horseshoe crab is a childhood acquaintance, first introduced by a fierce-looking shell on a sandy beach.
For ecologists, the horseshoe is an important creature — a vastly adaptable generalist that predates most species on the planet, with a lifecyle that is interlocked with other animals.
For the scientist, the limuli are an intriguing puzzle, offering insights into evolution, bacteria, vision and species- interdependence.
We invite you to explore the website and discover this remarkable creature...
Discover:
Take a closer look and learn about their incredible age, remarkable eyes, amazing life cycle and more... See Natural History
Locate:
So, where can you see horseshoe crabs? If you’re looking to find one (or if you’ve just spotted one), take a look at our international sightings maps... See Crab Sightings and let us know if you have a new sighting location.
Celebrate!
Explore art from around the world that celebrates the horseshoe crab... Visit Poems, Tales, & Images
Participate:
For teaching resources, information on sanctuaries, crab counting, or our Just Flip 'Em program, visit the Get Involved section and discover what you can do to help protect this remarkable creature.
Shop...
Gifts for crab lovers that support horseshoe conservation at the same time... Visit the Company Store.
And more...
Please Join us on FaceBook
Protecting Health
In 2009 ERDG launched its “Protecting Health” initiative to bring awareness to the excessive and lethal harvesting practices by the endotoxin testing industry engaged in the production of Tachypleus Amoebocyte Lysate (TAL) and the detrimental impact it is having on the Tachypleus horseshoe crab population throughout Southeast Asia. The intent of this initiative is to delineate the problems and to raise awareness of the possible implications for the global health industry and provide tools to promote communication regarding how the pharmaceutical/biomedical industry can become a driving force behind the conservation of the world’s four horseshoe crab species by eliminating unsustainable endotoxin testing products from their supply chain.
Please watch “The Harvest of the Tachypleus Horseshoe Crab Species for the Production of TAL is Unsustainable.”
Backyard Stewardship™
Interested in forming a horseshoe crab sanctuary in your beachfront community? Learn more about how to do that by watching our video.
Just flip ’em!™ an ERDG program since 1998
Our Just flip ’em!™ program is designed to bring attention to the hundreds of thousands of horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus) who die each year from stranding (stuck upside down) during their yearly spawning ritual and to encourage individuals, through a simple act of compassion, to take the time to assist and appreciate these remarkable creatures, who will not survive public indifference. Learn how you can make a difference.
Make a donation to support us!
We maintain our site and other programs through donations from visitors and supporters like you. Please consider making a donation today through PayPal’s secure server. Thank you!
The Science and Conservation of Horseshoe Crabs
- 4th International Workshop on the Science and Conservation of Horseshoe Crabs to be held in Qinzhou City, Guangxi, China in 2019.
- 1st International Conference for the Conservation of Asian Horseshoe Crabs was held in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2017.
- 3rd International Workshop on the Science and Conservation of Horseshoe Crabs was held in Sasebo City, Nagasaki, Japan in 2015.
- 2th International Workshop on the Science and Conservation of Asian Horseshoe Crabs was held in Hong Kong, in 2011.
- 1st International Symposium on the Science and Conservation of Horseshoe Crabs was held in New York, USA, in 2007.
Explore the most comprehensive collection of research and educational material on the world’s four horseshoe crabs species.
It is our goal to compile the most comprehensive collection of research and education material on the world’s four horseshoe crab species ever assembled in one easy to access location. With over 4,000 entries and growing by the day, our Research and Teacher Toolbox sections are off to a good start.