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Horseshoe Crabs | Ocean Park Hong Kong

Invertebrates

Horseshoe Crabs

Scientific Name

Limulidae spp.

Body Weight

Up to 4 kg

Body Length

Carapace to tail: up to 80 cm

Horseshoe crab on sandy beach near water.

Habitat

Beaches and coastal waters

Diet

Juveniles feed on algae and organic matter and their diet changes as they grow. Adults primarily prey on clams, snails, worms, and crustaceans.

Fun Facts

While horseshoe crabs are also invertebrates like crabs, they are actually not crabs. From a biological classification perspective, they are more closely related to spiders and scorpions.
The hard carapaces of horseshoe crabs not only protect their internal structures but also feature a pair of compound eyes on their sides. They possess excellent vision throughout day and night, which allows them to find mates even in darkness.

Underside of a horseshoe crab held in a hand, showing its legs and tail.

Horseshoe crab partially submerged in shallow water on a sandy beach.

Distribution

Eastern to southern Asia, as well as eastern and southern parts of North America

Threats & Conservation

Threats

Urbanisation & Infrastructure
Overexploitation of Biological Resources
Human Disturbance & Ecosystem Disruption
Invasive Species & Diseases
Pollution
Climate Change

Horseshoe crabs are facing a severe survival crisis. In parts of Asia, they are captured as a delicacy. They are also overharvested as their blood can be made into medical products. Furthermore, beaches are essential breeding sites for horseshoe crabs. However, reclamation, pollution, urban development, invasive species, and sea-level rise caused by climate change are destroying these beaches. Human recreational activities on beaches also cause disturbance to juveniles, while extreme heat resulting from climate change impacts their survival.

Conservation

IUCN Red List

1 species is Endangered, 1 species is Vulnerable and 2 species are Data Deficient.

Conservation Regulations

Tri-spine Horseshoe Crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) and mangrove horseshoe crabs (Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda) are under Category 2 in the Chinese Wildlife Conservation Law.
Tri-spine Horseshoe Crabs and Mangrove horseshoe crabs are native to Hong Kong and are protected under the Marine Parks and Marine Reserves Regulation (Cap. 476A) in Hong Kong.

Ocean Park's Conservation Efforts

The Park has established the Asian Horseshoe Crab Conservation Centre at the back-of-house area to receive and care for horseshoe crabs rescued from the wild. We also organise the Juvenile Horseshoe Crab Rearing Programme, educating students how to care for and monitor them, and eventually release the juveniles to the wild.

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Man in blue vest cleaning a horseshoe crab in a water tank with a brush.

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Threats & Conservation

Threats & Conservation

Threats

Conservation

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