Delaware’s bay towns are full of treasures to discover. Whether you want to explore the geocaching sites along the shoreline or you’d prefer to spend a day in an old fashioned fishing town, there’s something for everyone here. Not many people realize, though, that one of our tiny bayshore towns is home to one of the most important beaches on earth for a prehistoric critter that’s lived here for millions of years. If you’ve never seen the Slaughter Beach horseshoe crab spawn, you’ve got a few weeks left in 2017 to check it out!
Slaughter Beach - pardon the name - is one of the most unique beaches on earth.
Flickr / Brenda Reddinger There are a few stories behind the name of this town - but the most likely origin is that it was named for the local postmaster, William Slaughter. Of course, there are some people who continue to tell the legend of a man named Brabant, who slaughtered several native Americans at the site. While we’ll never know the real meaning of the town’s name, it has certainly stuck - and the town was officially incorporated in 1931.
At first, it seems just like any other Delaware bay beach.
Flickr / Norton Gusky There’s beautiful water, it’s quiet, you’ll run into a few greenheads (pack bug spray) and you’ll enjoy the feeling of sand beneath your toes. In fact, if you were just dropped here at the end of the summer, you might not even be able to tell which bay beach you were visiting. So, what’s so special about this beach?
If you visit during May or June, you’re in for a real treat.
Flickr / Allison Richards The Horseshoe Crab is the official marine animal of Delaware, and Slaughter Beach has been designated as an official “horseshoe crab sanctuary.” These curious crustaceans date back to over 450 million years ago - long before even dinosaurs roamed the earth - and they have changed very little in millions of years. They are more than just bizarre crabs, though. They are extremely important to the medical industry because of their unique blood. It contains a substance that can detect small amounts of toxins. Because of this trait, the copper-based blue blood is used to test for the sterility of medical equipment and IV drugs.
During late spring and early summer, hundreds of thousands of these prehistoric critters invade this small beach town.
Flickr / USFWS Northeast They arrive here to spawn, traveling from the depths of the ocean to our tiny state of Delaware. While their gigantic, spiked tails make them seem like dangerous creatures, they’re harmless. The tail is not a stinger, and is primarily used to help flip horseshoe crabs back over. If you see one on its back, help it out and flip it right side up. It will appreciate your help, and you’ll feel good about doing a good deed for these strange crabs.
Thousands of horseshoe crabs is quite the sight - at its peak, you can see a quarter of a million of them getting ready to lay their eggs.
Flickr / USFWS Northeast Watch a short video about these bizarre creatures and their Slaughter Beach ritual below:
Their eggs are a delicacy, as well!
Flickr / Judy Gallagher Although I wouldn’t expect many humans to enjoy them, the annual horseshoe crab spawn attracts birdwatchers, who come to see the sanderlings and other coastal birds have a feast. Their eggs are part of the reason that the Delaware Bay is home to so many bird species. Dozens of birds flock here to eat these eggs, including the threatened Red Knot. This is a great place to set up a camera and try to catch some amazing shots of Delaware’s most interesting and unique bird species.
Slaughter Beach is a small town with just over 200 people, which means that the residents are way outnumbered by these cool crabs. Be sure to set aside time to take a day trip out to see this incredible natural phenomenon this year, and while you’re out there, help out any horseshoe crabs that you see flipped on their back. They’ll appreciate it, the birds will appreciate it, and you’ll feel good about helping these incredible crabs survive.
Flickr / Brenda Reddinger
There are a few stories behind the name of this town - but the most likely origin is that it was named for the local postmaster, William Slaughter. Of course, there are some people who continue to tell the legend of a man named Brabant, who slaughtered several native Americans at the site. While we’ll never know the real meaning of the town’s name, it has certainly stuck - and the town was officially incorporated in 1931.
Flickr / Norton Gusky
There’s beautiful water, it’s quiet, you’ll run into a few greenheads (pack bug spray) and you’ll enjoy the feeling of sand beneath your toes. In fact, if you were just dropped here at the end of the summer, you might not even be able to tell which bay beach you were visiting. So, what’s so special about this beach?
Flickr / Allison Richards
The Horseshoe Crab is the official marine animal of Delaware, and Slaughter Beach has been designated as an official “horseshoe crab sanctuary.” These curious crustaceans date back to over 450 million years ago - long before even dinosaurs roamed the earth - and they have changed very little in millions of years. They are more than just bizarre crabs, though. They are extremely important to the medical industry because of their unique blood. It contains a substance that can detect small amounts of toxins. Because of this trait, the copper-based blue blood is used to test for the sterility of medical equipment and IV drugs.
Flickr / USFWS Northeast
They arrive here to spawn, traveling from the depths of the ocean to our tiny state of Delaware. While their gigantic, spiked tails make them seem like dangerous creatures, they’re harmless. The tail is not a stinger, and is primarily used to help flip horseshoe crabs back over. If you see one on its back, help it out and flip it right side up. It will appreciate your help, and you’ll feel good about doing a good deed for these strange crabs.
Watch a short video about these bizarre creatures and their Slaughter Beach ritual below:
Flickr / Judy Gallagher
Although I wouldn’t expect many humans to enjoy them, the annual horseshoe crab spawn attracts birdwatchers, who come to see the sanderlings and other coastal birds have a feast. Their eggs are part of the reason that the Delaware Bay is home to so many bird species. Dozens of birds flock here to eat these eggs, including the threatened Red Knot. This is a great place to set up a camera and try to catch some amazing shots of Delaware’s most interesting and unique bird species.
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