What is the life cycle of a horseshoe crab?

Horseshoe crabs begin their lives as eggs. Horseshoe crab eggs are typically laid in the spring and summer months in shallow waters near the shore. Each female horseshoe crab can lay up to 100,000 eggs at a time.

2. Trilobite larva

The eggs hatch into trilobite larvae. Trilobite larvae are small, free-swimming creatures that resemble ancient trilobites. Trilobite larvae feed on plankton and other small organisms in the water.

3. Colt horseshoe crab

After a few weeks, the trilobite larvae settle down to the bottom of the ocean and molt into colt horseshoe crabs. Colt horseshoe crabs look like miniature versions of adult horseshoe crabs. They continue to feed on plankton and other small organisms in the water.

4. Juvenile horseshoe crab

As colt horseshoe crabs grow, they molt several more times and eventually become juvenile horseshoe crabs. Juvenile horseshoe crabs look like smaller versions of adult horseshoe crabs, but they are not yet sexually mature.

5. Adult horseshoe crab

When horseshoe crabs reach sexual maturity, they are considered to be adults. Adult horseshoe crabs typically mate in the spring and summer months. The males deposit their sperm on the females' eggs, and the females lay the eggs in shallow waters near the shore.

6. Death

Horseshoe crabs can live for up to 25 years in the wild. They typically die of old age or from being preyed upon by other animals.