Why is a prehistoric creature still vital for the pharmaceutical industry?
By 
Mariana Kneppers2025-07-10T08:30:00
Every year, horseshoe crabs are harvested for their blue blood, but alternatives are now coming through that could help protect these ancient animals
It’s a June summer evening in Delaware, and as Slaughter Beach slowly empties of beachgoers, a different crowd takes their place. It’s horseshoe crab mating season, and thousands of these prehistoric creatures are emerging onto beaches all along the eastern US coastline.
This emergence also signals open season for horseshoe crab harvesting. Each year, an estimated 1 million of these crabs are collected for their blood, which has unique properties that have probably saved your life at some point. But what is it that makes these creatures’ blood so special?