Horseshoe crabs — also known as “living fossils” — have existed nearly unchanged for the past 445 million years, long before dinosaurs even existed, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
And now, it’s time for these creatures to breed.
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The FWC reports that horseshoe crabs typically mate year-round, though mating groups are most often seen along Florida’s beaches in March and April.
“Beachgoers will have the most luck spotting horseshoe crabs around high tide within a few days of a new or full moon,” the FWC says.
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To mate, these critters pair up, with a smaller male attaching himself to a larger female. After crawling along the beach to the high-tide line, the females then dig nests and lay their eggs.
During this time, the FWC asks members of the public to report any horseshoe crab sightings through the state’s Horseshoe Crab Watch Program.
To do so, you can visit the FWC’s website here.
The initiative helps experts to research Florida’s horseshoe crab populations across the state, including beaches in the following counties:
| Hernando | Pinellas | Pasco | Brevard |
| Taylor | Volusia | Indian River | Martin |
| St. Lucie | Franklin | Nassau | Dixie |
| Levy | Sarasota | Charlotte | Lee |
| Miami-Dade | Palm Beach | Collier |
Volunteers can also join the watch program and walk along certain beach sections at predetermined times to count the number of horseshoe crab mating groups. To do so, click here.
In addition, if you see a horseshoe crab on its back, you can help flip it back over by gently picking it up — holding both sides of the shell — and turning it over before releasing it back into the water.
However, never pick it up by the tail, as it can harm the animal, the FWC warns.
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