Atlantic Horseshoe Crab Molt
Limulus polyphemus
Markings and exact colorations may vary.
A hollow shed shell from an animal older than the dinosaurs.
- Typical size
- 4 to 18 inches
- How often it turns up
- Common
- Collecting
- Usually legal to collect
- Handling
- Safe to handle
Empty molts may be kept. Do not take living animals.
Never lift one by the tail.
How to tell it apart
- Horseshoe-shaped carapace with a long spike tail
- Hollow and very light if it is a molt
- Split seam around the front edge on molts
Where to find these in Florida
Beaches rated very good or excellent for tidepool life. Each page shows today’s score, the best window and access details.
- Bathtub Reef Beach · Stuart
- Anne's Beach · Islamorada
- Bahia Honda State Park · Big Pine Key
- Bathtub Beach · Stuart
- Caspersen Beach · Venice
- Curry Hammock State Park · Marathon
- Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park · Key West
- Harry Harris Park · Tavernier
- Higgs Beach · Key West
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park · Key Largo
- Long Key State Park · Long Key
- Marineland Beach · Marineland
Found one?
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More tidepool life in the field guide
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