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FWC needs your photos of where horseshoe crabs are to track populations

Horseshoe crab
Posted at 3:51 PM, Mar 08, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-11 10:09:26-04

The Florida Fish and Wildlife research institute is asking for your help to track horseshoe crabs across Florida to help study its population.

According to the FWC, horseshoe crabs are often called "living fossils" because they are one of the oldest animals on the planet.

Horseshoe crabs have existed for about 450 million years, yet the FWC says they know very little about the population in Florida.

They are about to enter their mating season this Spring, and the FWC says this is the best time to spot them during high tide, and within three days of a new or full moon.

The most recent new moon was March 6.

The FWC has a Florida horseshoe crab watch program, that's a citizen science initiative to collect data across the state.

The FWC asks the public to report sightings through one of several options. The FWC Reporter app is free to download on Apple or Android smartphones or tablets. You can also report findings via email at horseshoe@MyFWC.com or by phone at 866-252-9326.