Delaware Symbols, Marine Animal: Horseshoe Crab

Adopted on June 25, 2002 .

Recognizing its great importance and value, the horseshoe crab was designated as Delaware's official marine animal on June 25, 2002. These crabs contain a compound, limulus amebocyte lysante (LAL), that is used to detect bacterial poisons in certain medications, vaccines and medical devices. Chitin, a natural polymer found in the horseshoe crab's shell, is used to make bandages. The crab is used in vision studies because their complex eye structure is similar to the human eye. It is the principal food source for over a million shore birds. Delaware Bay is the home to more horseshoe crabs than any other place in the world.