Facts about Atlantic Horseshoe Crab

1. 06

   During spawning season, female Atlantic horseshoe crabs are significantly larger than males, with females capable of laying tens of thousands of eggs per season.

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2. 05

   A horseshoe crab's compound eyes are among the largest of any arthropod, and the Atlantic horseshoe crab has a total of ten eyes distributed across its body.

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3. 04

   Limulus polyphemus, the Atlantic horseshoe crab, has existed largely unchanged for over 400 million years, predating the dinosaurs.

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4. 03

   Each spring, Atlantic horseshoe crabs migrate en masse to spawn on sandy beaches, providing a critical food source for migratory shorebirds.

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5. 02

   Despite their name, Atlantic horseshoe crabs are more closely related to spiders and scorpions than to true crabs.

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6. 01

   The blue blood of the Atlantic horseshoe crab contains amebocytes used to detect bacterial endotoxins in medical and pharmaceutical testing.

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