horseshoe crab

Horseshoe crabs are ancient marine creatures that have been around for over 450 million years, making them more closely related to spiders and scorpions than to crabs. They have a hard, shell-like exoskeleton and a long tail spine. Found mainly along North America's Atlantic coast, they play a vital role in the ecosystem and human health. Their blue blood contains a unique substance used to test for bacterial contamination in medical equipment and vaccines. Horseshoe crabs are also crucial for migratory birds, providing a food source during breeding seasons. Despite their name, they are not true crabs.