Horseshoe crab is an animal that belongs to the group, arthropod, which insects, spiders, and shrimps also belong to. Horseshoe crab is well known to many people because they have existed on earth since Paleozoic era and never changed their shape and lifestyle.
The surprising fact is that their blood is very helpful for human medical world. Their blood color is blue because they use copper for circulating oxygen inside body instead of iron like red blood animals like us. Since their blue magical blood is very sensitive to bacterial toxins, it can be applied to find toxins inside human body. The most important function is when their blood meets toxins, the blood components react and form gel. This reaction is a unique ability of horseshoe crab blood so many researchers and companies are already utilizing them for hospitals in the United States.
Although it seems there are only benefits for humans, indiscriminate hunting is becoming a big problem of ecosystem. There are some research ongoing to create artificial component in place of horseshoe crab blood to save this wonderful ancient animal.
I used to go to Cape Cod as a kid and we'd see the exoskeletons of these crabs on the beach. It was like some weird horrible bug monster come to life! I was always fascinated and wondered about them. I really hope they don't become extinct!
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