Did you know that horseshoe crabs have blue blood? I was fascinated by this fact, then I read that 500,000 are captured and released after some of their blood is harvested. It is used by pharmaceutical companies. I'm not sure how I feel about this. I saw a picture of the poor animals being strapped down and it just seems a little cruel. They are such an interesting animal, I hope this harvesting doesn't hurt them.
Horseshoe crabs aren't really crabs at all. The are closely related to spiders. Even though they look scary with their long pointy tail and many legs, They don't bite or sting. Their tail is used to help them turn back over if they are turned over by a wave. You can pick them up to help them get turned right.
I hope you're having a happy Tuesday. I don't have anything I need to do today so I'm just gonna vegetate.
Not sure how I feel either about the blood harvest. I just hope in the end the crabs are fine and just maybe a scientist will figure out what this blood could do to help humans. 2nd day of above 32 and sun out. The foot of deep frozen snow is softening when I walk else where other than my frozen hard paths. Enjoy a lovely day of quiet and peace.
ReplyDeleteLynn, we're on a nice warm up. Cool in the mornings but warming up nicely in the afternoon, Later this week we will have a high of 70!!! Do you get tired of the cold and snow by this time? Or do you continue to enjoy it. Have a great week, take care.
ReplyDeleteThey are vital to the success of migrating shorebirds, especially Red Knots, and it’s critical that they continue to thrive in numbers that permit these birds to survive.
ReplyDeleteDavid, how do the horseshoe crabs help the Red Knots? Are they food for them? They are such an interesting creature.
DeleteThat's very interesting! That tail looks scary, good to know it's purpose. I looked it up and the blood is used because it coagulates around bacteria. It also said the migrating birds need them because they eat their eggs.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoyed your quiet day!
Mari, thanks for the extra information about the horseshoe crab. The tail does look scary. My daughter picked one up when we were vacationing in Florida many years ago. It looked so creepy with it's legs moving and it's tail waving.
DeleteThis is fascinating. But even though they are not dangerous, that tail looks intimidating!
ReplyDeleteThe whole animal is scary looking! But especially the tail.
DeleteVery interesting information.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Take care.
ReplyDeleteBlue blood? Fascinating, and fascinating that pharmaceutical researchers harvest their blood. I can wonder why it is so useful to them.
ReplyDeleteThe blood does something with bacteria. Thanks for visiting. Take care.
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