Why are There 30 Million Horseshoe Crabs on This Beach?

The video explores the fascinating life of horseshoe crabs, focusing on their annual migration to Delaware Bay for mating. It highlights their unique biology, historical uses, and the critical role they play in the ecosystem, particularly as a food source for migratory birds. Conservation efforts and challenges faced by these ancient creatures are also discussed, emphasizing the importance of preserving their habitat.

What is the primary reason horseshoe crabs come ashore in Delaware Bay during spring?

• To escape predators

• To find food

• To migrate to warmer waters

• To mate and lay eggs

How are horseshoe crabs related to other species?

• They are a kind of mollusk

• They are more closely related to spiders

• They are closely related to lobsters

• They are a type of fish

What strategy do horseshoe crabs use to avoid aquatic predators during spawning?

• Spawning in rocky areas

• Spawning during the day

• Spawning high on the beach

• Spawning in deep waters

What is a significant historical use of horseshoe crabs?

• For their meat in pet food

• For their shells in jewelry

• As a source of food

• As fertilizer

Why is the blue blood of horseshoe crabs important?

• It is used in traditional medicine

• It is used to test the safety of vaccines

• It is a source of natural dye

• It is used in cosmetics

What role do horseshoe crab eggs play in the ecosystem?

• They are a primary food source for local fish

• They provide nutrients for beach vegetation

• They help in sand dune formation

• They are a crucial food source for migratory birds

Which bird species relies heavily on horseshoe crab eggs during migration?

• The Bald Eagle

• The Red Knot

• The American Robin

• The Snowy Owl