Florent's Guide To The

South Florida Reefs

Atlantic Horseshoe Crab
Limulus polyphemus
Atlantic Horseshoe Crab
Category: Horseshoe Crabs
Scientific Name: Limulus polyphemus
Size: 10 to 20 in. (25 to 50 cm)  
Depth: 1-15 ft. (0-5 m)
Distribution: Florida, Gulf of America, Yucatan peninsula, East Coast of USA
Despite its name, the Horseshoe Crab is more closely related to spiders, ticks, and scorpions than to crabs
Arthropoda (Phylum)
└Chelicerata (Subphylum)
 └Merostomata (Class)
  └Xiphosurida (Order)
   └Limulidae (Family)
    └Limulus (Genus)
     └L. polyphemus (Species)
WoRMS ID: 150514🔗
iNaturalist ID: 48302🔗

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© 2026 Florent Charpin