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Atlantic Horseshoe Crab

Limulus polyphemus

VU — Vulnerable

Description

A 450-million-year-old living fossil. Not a true crab — closer to spiders and scorpions. Has blue, copper-based blood used to test vaccine safety.

CategoryMarine

Size30–60 cm

PopulationDeclining

HabitatSandy coastlines, shallow bays

Range

Atlantic coast (Maine to Yucatán)

Threats

Overharvesting for bait and biomedical useHabitat lossClimate change

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Horseshoe crab blood is blue (copper-based) and worth $60,000 per gallon — it's used to test every vaccine and injection for bacterial contamination!

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