Full moon in May brings high tides and warm waters to Narragansett Bay, and that inspires the horseshoe crabs to start a new generation. The big females swim to the edge of the ocean and dig into the sand, leaving their eggs at the max high tide line where they’ll be safe from marine predators. The smaller males follow behind and fertilize the brood.
This ancient species has been repeating this ritual for millions of years. The Bay is only about 15,000 years old, so I guess as long as there’s been sand at Gaspee Point, it’s been a horseshoe crab nursery. In this video clip, three eager males wait their chance, as a female takes her time, deep in the sand.
Mary Grady 