The last few days we have been finding lots of those funny prehistoric looking horseshoe crabs washed up on the shore and this one in particular was HUGE !!!! Now the breeding season (which is when they wash up the most) for them here in Florida is Spring and Fall so it is a bit odd to see so many of washing up in the middle of Summer. We also noticed that this year there are hardly any turtle nests and we are wondering if it because it has been sooooo hot here in Florida (in the past 6 weeks it hasn't gone below 90 degrees) Now - just a bit of usless trivia for you all - did you know horseshoe crabs are not related to crabs at all and are in fact related to spiders and scorpions. People use to think their tails were dangerous but in fact they are simply used to help the crabs flip themselves over if they end up on their backs.
http://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/crustaceans/horseshoe-crabs/facts/ Did you also know they have blue colored blood and it is used for medicinal purposes to assist in clotting blood - sadly this also led to huge decrease in their population?
http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/how-horseshoe-crab-blood-saves-millions-lives Of coarse the thing we really love is that they smell so awesome after a day or two baking in the 90-100 degree sun - but for some reason Mom wouldn't let us roll on them - she is just no fun at all :) And just to make you all jelly - we thought we would share a pic of the beach today - it was so calm and we had it all to ourselves !!!!
The last few days we have been finding lots of those funny prehistoric looking horseshoe crabs washed up on the shore and this one in particular was HUGE !!!! Now the breeding season (which is when they wash up the most) for them here in Florida is Spring and Fall so it is a bit odd to see so many of washing up in the middle of Summer. We also noticed that this year there are hardly any turtle nests and we are wondering if it because it has been sooooo hot here in Florida (in the past 6 weeks it hasn't gone below 90 degrees) Now - just a bit of usless trivia for you all - did you know horseshoe crabs are not related to crabs at all and are in fact related to spiders and scorpions. People use to think their tails were dangerous but in fact they are simply used to help the crabs flip themselves over if they end up on their backs. http://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/crustaceans/horseshoe-crabs/facts/ Did you also know they have blue colored blood and it is used for medicinal purposes to assist in clotting blood - sadly this also led to huge decrease in their population? http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/how-horseshoe-crab-blood-saves-millions-lives Of coarse the thing we really love is that they smell so awesome after a day or two baking in the 90-100 degree sun - but for some reason Mom wouldn't let us roll on them - she is just no fun at all :) And just to make you all jelly - we thought we would share a pic of the beach today - it was so calm and we had it all to ourselves !!!!
You really do live in a beautiful area!
ReplyDeleteMonty, Harlow and Ramble
Oh, I'll bet it smells GREAT after baking in the sun like that! Moms can be such spoil-sports!
ReplyDeleteCammie!
Ooh mom wants the linky to Chester the Cocker's post can you send to us? No fun not getting to roll in stinky stuff! Oh, you can have your beach it's nice and all but... Love Dolly
ReplyDeleteOh, we are sure that must be one fantastic smell. Like your Mum, ours never thinks the smells we like are good at all:{
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the trivia about those horseshoe not-crabs.
Woos - Ciara and Lightning
that is huge! DakotasDen
ReplyDeleteWe never knew all that stuffs about horseshoe crabs, Reilly. They sure are strange looking creatures!
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeletewhat a great critter! Did know about the scorpion thing - but not about the blood clotting. Good observations about the differing breed cycle too... and am TOTALLY jelly about that beach! Hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx
Its sooo good to see you out patrolling your beach....you find such interesting thingys there
ReplyDeleteLoves and licky kisses
Princess Leah xxx
You guys always track down the most pawsome things!
ReplyDeleteWow! I didn't know any of that.
ReplyDeleteMom loved clicking the link and reading about the crabs after seeing your lovely pictures with them. I am dreaming about rolling in that wonderful smell. Mmmm.
ReplyDeleteOh My that guy IS huge!!! we love all the interesting stuff you show us and educate us about!
ReplyDeletehugs
Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel
Mom is envious of your ocean and the walks you get to take. stella rose
ReplyDeleteWow! Those are huge! We wish we had a beach like yours to explore!
ReplyDeleteI can only see them useful as something wonderful to roll in. Blue blood sounds really weird.
ReplyDeleteWe think they may be go to roll on.....medicinal even.
ReplyDeleteWe are ever so happy to see you on the beach with you favorite stinky friends, Reilly!! What a beautimous day indeed!!
ReplyDeleteSmileys!
Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo
OMG! I can't believe the size of it! I'm glad you guys posed next to it so we could tell the size.
ReplyDeleteYou are so LUCKY to see these critters... Dead or Alive... We would love to see one...
ReplyDeleteThey are AMAZING thingys for SURE... Hope finding them NOW doesn't mean somethingy BAD fur them. THANKS fur Sharing with us...
OMD it is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooo good to see you able to be back on YOUR BEACH.
POTP may take a while to work... butt Work it Does!!
Those horse shoe crabs are so weird looking
ReplyDeleteLily & Edward