Member-only story
The Crab That Saved 10 Million Lives
The bloody history and medical marvel of the Limulus polyphemus
In 1968, scientists discovered that the blood of an ancient species of marine arthropods called “armored aliens” could quite literally save millions of human lives.
The secret of their blood rapidly spread across the global medical community, disrupting the face of medical testing forever.
Odds are, you have personally benefited from it. If you have used contacts, ingested medicine, or received an injection in the last 50 years, you can thank this species.
Since the 1970s, these spider-like saviors have prevented disease, protected vulnerable populations, and spared at least an estimated 10 million lives.
The history of the Horseshoe Crab is a fascinating tale of medical proliferation, massive bloodletting, and impending extinction.
The ancient survivor that predates the dinosaurs
If anything, Horseshoe Crabs are the ultimate survivors. They predate the dinosaurs and lived through all five global extinction events.
Including the one 250 million years ago that wiped out 96% of marine species and 70% of all land species.
