Horseshoe Crab Watch - Northwest Florida

Horseshoe crabs are large, “tank-like” sea creatures that crawl onto beaches to lay their eggs. Not actually crabs at all, they are more closely related to spiders than crustaceans. They have inhabited Earth’s oceans mostly unchanged for at least 445 million years, which makes them older than the dinosaurs.

Horseshoe crabs play an important ecological role in coastal habitats. Their eggs are a vital food source for migrating birds and the adults are a tasty snack for sea turtles and other animals.

FWC volunteers are participating in the statewide Florida Horseshoe Crab Watch to help us track the spawning and movements of horseshoe crabs at Bald Point State Park in Alligator Point, Florida.  

Volunteer opportunities are ongoing from August - October each year.

CONTACT A VOLUNTEER PROGRAM BIOLOGIST