Posted inNews:Environment

Video: Horseshoe crabs spawning at high tide

Eggs will begin to hatch in 2 to 4 weeks.

by Justin Taylor May 11th, 2024May 11th, 2024 Why you can trust The Current

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Type of Story: News

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

Tagged: Chatham County, Environment, Georgia

Justin TaylorVisual journalistVisual Journalist

jtaylor.thecurrent@gmail.com

Justin Taylor is a visual journalist based in Savannah. He is a Catchlight Local/Report for America Corps member. His versatile style blends elements of fine art, photojournalism, and drone photography. A... More by Justin Taylor

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Video: Horseshoe crabs spawning at high tide

by Justin Taylor, The Current
May 11, 2024

<h1>Video: Horseshoe crabs spawning at high tide</h1>
<p class="byline">by Justin Taylor, The Current <br />May 11, 2024</p>

<p>Visual journalist Justin Taylor was out last week working on another story when he got to witness an early morning sight few ever see -- horseshoe crabs spawning on a sandbar in Ossabaw Sound. He brought back photos and video to share. The crabs spawn on quiet beaches during high tides brought by the new and full moons, leaving several clusters of 4,000 eggs buried in nests in the sand. Eggs generally hatch within two to four weeks. The adults can live more than 20 years.</p>
<p>By the way, horseshoe crabs aren't really crabs -- they are closer in species to scorpions and spiders. <a href="https://www.fws.gov/species/atlantic-horseshoe-crab-limulus-polyphemus">Here's more from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. </a></p>
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<figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-64162" data-id="64162" src="https://thecurrentga.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240508-HSC-104-1024x768.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Horseshoe crabs spawning at high tide on a sandbar in Ossabaw Sound, GA. May 8, 2024. </figcaption></figure>
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<figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-64159" data-id="64159" src="https://thecurrentga.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240508-HSC-101-1024x768.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Horseshoe crabs buried in the sand to spawn on a sandbar during the hight of spawning season. May 8, 2024. Ossabaw Sound, GA.</figcaption></figure>
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<figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-64160" data-id="64160" src="https://thecurrentga.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240508-HSC-102-1024x768.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Horseshoe crab tracks on a sandbar during the hight of spawning season. May 8, 2024. Ossabaw Sound, GA.</figcaption></figure>
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<figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-64161" data-id="64161" src="https://thecurrentga.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240508-HSC-103-1024x768.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Red knots stop to feed on horseshoe crab eggs during their annual migration from southern South America to the Arctic. May 8, 2024. Ossabaw Sound, GA</figcaption></figure>
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<figure><img alt="" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-64163" data-id="64163" src="https://thecurrentga.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240508-HSC-105-1024x768.jpg" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">Horseshoe crabs spawning at high tide on a sandbar in Ossabaw Sound, GA. May 8, 2024. </figcaption></figure>
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Justin TaylorVisual journalistVisual Journalist