Thank you for looking at this listing.

This is an Atlantic Horseshoe Crab, which is actually an not a crab, but rather it is related to spiders and other arachnids. They are often referred to as “living fossils”. Horseshoe crabs have not changed very much in an evolutionary sense. They have been around for approximately 445 million years and have had the relatively same form with little to no changes.

As these fascinating creatures develop and grow, they shed their shells (molt) multiple times into maturity.

You will be receiving the actual horseshoe crab shell identified in the photographs for this item. The shell has been recovered from the New Jersey shore after it died and washed ashore. They have been cleaned and soft tissues have been removed, as have any barnacles or animals attached to the exterior shells. Occasionally, shells may have minor defects ranging from wear on tail tips on the ocean bottom, possible worm or organism holes in the shell, or slight bruises or scuffs from washing around in the surf & waves, etc. These creatures are sold as they have naturally presented to me on the Jersey beach with the exception that I will add glue in the weaker joint areas, as the natural ligaments are extremely fragile as they dried out. Glue appears as a tan-brown material (see tail joint and abdomen to head photos). 

Photographs will be considered as part of the item description, so please examine each one closely. 

Note that most of the "moveable spines" on the abdomen have fallen out and are no longer present. There is a large scar on the right side of the head portion. It is an older injury, as it appears to have partially healed? The Left Compound Eye actually had the remnants of a barnacle growing into it. I have never seen this before. The injury appears to have happened some time back as it has a smoothed over appearance in the opening. The last inch of the tail has been worn down. This usually occurs when the animal spends time washing around in the surf before being beached.  

Please contact me if you have any questions and I will attempt to respond as soon as I am able. Thank you again for looking at my listings.

I am a retired individual simply attempting to remain busy and to supplement my income.

Size description:

Height - approximately 4"

Width - approximately 10.5"

Length - approximately 18.0"

*****************I will gladly combine shipping with any other purchases when beneficial. Buyers must first request an invoice be sent from seller from your cart, this must be done BEFORE payment is made. ********

Box # 15 weight: 15 ounces