UPDATE: https://pixelfed.crimedad.work/p/crimedad/717794020275353272

cross-posted from: https://pixelfed.crimedad.work/p/crimedad/715310569850044948

Time comes for us all.

We found this dead horseshoe crab on the beach today. It had a numbered tag on its shell apparently put there by The Maryland Fish & Wildlife Conservation Office. I’ve seen many horseshoe crabs here over the years, but never one with a tag. I made sure to go to the website and log it.

#beach #shore #NewHavenHarbor #HorseshoeCrab #conservation

@[email protected]

  • @Kbobabob
    11•3 months ago

    I didn’t know that they lived that long.

    • @Guy_Fieris_Hair
      15•3 months ago

      That’s how long the species has existed. They live ~25 years.

        • CrimeDadOPEnglish
          9•3 months ago

          It’s an important ingredient for the safety of injectable drugs and the crabs are returned to the sea alive. If a synthetic alternative takes off, I am concerned that the government will not care as much about protecting this species.

          • @[email protected]
            6•3 months ago

            It’s sad and crazy that raw “usefulness” is one of very few motivators to put effort into protecting things at a national level.

            Everything is a hostage standoff negotiation to capitalism. :(

            “Why should I care about you?”

            “But you need me!”

            “…Fine.”

            • udon
              2•3 months ago

              And then there are cats. Who destroys your favorite tableware? Who scratches all your furniture except the one made specifically for that purpose? Who walks over your keyboard?

              “Meow!”

              “Oh well, all right then, haha!”