Horseshoe Crab

About the Horseshoe Crab

Living fossils that have existed for 450 million years - they survived all five mass extinctions. Their blue blood is worth $60,000 per liter and is used to test every vaccine and medical device in the world for bacterial contamination. Over 600,000 are bled annually for their blood; 10-30% die in the process. They are not true crabs but are more closely related to spiders and scorpions. They have 10 eyes, including one on their tail. They mate during full moons in massive beach invasions. Their eggs are critical food for migratory shorebirds. A synthetic alternative exists but has been slow to be adopted.