Oh, My! Is that a Horseshoe Crab in My Eye?

I learned something new today. The horseshoe crab’s shell (called chitin) is used in the manufacturing of contact lenses. Huh. It’s also used in skin creams and hair sprays.

Why am I sharing this?

I received a request today from one of the Green Guide Instructors. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) biologists are seeking a lil’ bit o help from the beach going public.


If you’re out and about and see horseshoe crabs spawning on any of Florida’s fabulous beaches, report the following to the FWC:

• Time of the sighting
• Date
• Location
• Number of horseshoe crabs seen
• If the horseshoe crabs are spawning (you can observe discretely so not to embarrass the crabs)

This can be reported via the agency’s Web site (just click here).

Or, email the findings to horseshoe@MyFWC.com.

For those who are old school (and if you’re reading this blog, I find it hard to believe you’re old school), call the FWC at 1-866-252-9326.

Horseshoe crabs are pretty cool. While living in the Everglades, I would see hundreds of them mating each year, something wild to see. Really. They’d pile on top of each other, storming the shore. My dog was always freaked out by them and couldn’t stand the horseshoe crab shells.

Be a good observer, report your crab findings!