Science Speaker Series: Living Legacy: The Atlantic Horseshoe Crab by Christina Norman

If you've walked the beaches during high tide recently, you likely have seen horseshoe crabs crawling along the water line. Even during low tides, you may have seen their tracks in the sand from where they've traveled around to mate. Horseshoe crabs are a common sight in the summer, but there's a lot more to these prehistoric critters than meets the eye. Relatively unchanged on Earth for nearly 450 million years, horseshoe crabs are unique even among the usual oddities we see in the ocean.

 

With ten eyes, blue blood, six pairs of appendages, green eggs, and more, the Atlantic horseshoe crab is enigma that could have a semester-long course dedicated to it, but at this talk, we'll do our best to condense the creatures into an hour-long discussion about biology, behavior, and human relations. All who want to learn more about these fantastic creatures are welcome to join!

 

As an Aquarium Intern in 2022, Christina got to learn about the wonders of Nantucket. The first time she saw horseshoe crabs spawning at Monomoy Beach, she knew she'd made the perfect choice of internships. After finishing her internship, Christina did a six-month AmeriCorps term in Holderness, New Hampshire, working with the Lakes Region Conservation corps and Squam Lakes Association to monitor water quality, manage trails, remove invasive aquatic plants, and inspect boats for hitchhiking invasives. After her AmeriCorps term, Christina rejoined the Maria Mitchell Association in 2024 as the Interim Natural Science Museum Manager. Now, as the Aquarium Manager, Christina enjoys talking to the public about the marine wonders of Nantucket. She tries not to be biased, but it's clear that horseshoe crabs hold a special place in her heart.