1. Horseshoe Crabs Life History & Management

2. Life History Unchanged for over 300 million years
Pre-dated dinosaurs by 150 million years
Only 4 species exist today
Three in Southeast Asia
One along the Atlantic Coast

3. Has 10 eyes!
Tail is not a weapon, it aids in mobility

4. Reproduction
Males are smaller
then females
Mate in May

6. Juveniles Each female lays over 4,000 eggs a year
Eggs hatch in 2-4 weeks
Crabs must molt to grow
Can live for 18 years
(Picture taken from class)

7. Horseshoe crabs play an important ecological role in the food web for migrating shorebirds.

8. Work Cited
The Ecological Research & Development Group (ERDG)
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission