A Celebration of International Horseshoe Crab Day

The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster presents A Celebration of International Horseshoe Crab Day, Thursday, June 19, 2025, 10am-2:30pm, Last Museum admission at 1:45pm
*Special guest speaker, Derek Perry, Massachusetts State Horseshoe Crab Biologist at 2:30pm, FREE TO THE PUBLIC
 
Fossil evidence confirms horseshoe crabs have been on earth for at least 445 million years, over 200 million years BEFORE dinosaurs! As a keystone species, horseshoe crabs play a crucial role in maintaining the health of coastal and marine ecosystems. Learn about the horseshoe crab’s amazing endurance, resilience, survival and their connection to Wampanoag life, commercial fisheries, human health, and space travel.
 
There will be horseshoe crab arts & crafts, fun hands-on interactive learning activities, a Museum scavenger hunt and sweet treats available at the Local Scoop ice cream truck. See live horseshoe crabs at various stages in their life cycles as eggs, juveniles, and adults. Also, there will be two horseshoe crab feedings at 11am & 1:30pm during which you will hear about the Museum’s nine-year horseshoe crab head start program.
FREE WITH MUSEUM ADMISSION
 
*At 2:30pm Derek Perry will be discussing how the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries monitors the abundance of horseshoe crabs, along with the state of our horseshoe crab fisheries. Learn when and where to see large numbers of spawning horseshoe crabs, how you can contribute to data collection, and how you can get involved in horseshoe crab