Suspension of Ocean Park Hong Kong App (Effective 1 July 2026)Closure of "North Pole Encounter" for Renovation
Decorative imageDecorative image
Careers
Decorative imageDecorative image
Contact Us
Decorative imageDecorative image
Members Login
Stylized logo of blue mountains, water, and an orange crescent.Stylized logo of blue mountains, water, and an orange crescent.
Water World
Blue seahorse logo with waves in a white circleBlue seahorse logo with waves in a white circle
Ocean Park Corporation
Ocean Park Hong Kong logo featuring a seal mascot splashing water and the Chinese text 香港海洋公園.Ocean Park Hong Kong logo featuring a seal mascot splashing water and the Chinese text 香港海洋公園.
Ticket & OfferA Day at the ParkPark InformationAnnual Membership Conservation & EducationPlan Your Events
Buy Ticket

  • Homepage
  • Conservation & Education
  • Animals & Plants
  • Horseshoe Crabs
Invertebrates

Horseshoe Crabs

Scientific Name

Limulidae spp.

Body Weight

Up to 4 kg

Body Length

Carapace to tail: up to 80 cm

Horseshoe crab and human hand
Horseshoe crab on sandy beach near water.

Habitat

Beaches and coastal waters
Blue underwater scene with a slope and small dark dots.
Stylized beach with blue water and yellow sand.

Diet

Juveniles feed on algae and organic matter and their diet changes as they grow. Adults primarily prey on clams, snails, worms, and crustaceans.
Green seaweed on sandy bottom with bubbles.
Fish, scallop, squid, and shrimp.

Fun Facts

  • While horseshoe crabs are also invertebrates like crabs, they are actually not crabs. From a biological classification perspective, they are more closely related to spiders and scorpions.

  • The hard carapaces of horseshoe crabs not only protect their internal structures but also feature a pair of compound eyes on their sides. They possess excellent vision throughout day and night, which allows them to find mates even in darkness.

Underside of a horseshoe crab held in a hand, showing its legs and tail.
Horseshoe crab partially submerged in shallow water on a sandy beach.

Distribution

Eastern to southern Asia, as well as eastern and southern parts of North America

Threats & Conservation

Threats & Conservation

Threats

  • Stylized city buildings on a roadStylized city buildings on a road

    Urbanisation & Infrastructure

  • An axe and a hexagonal grid with red dotsAn axe and a hexagonal grid with red dots

    Overexploitation of Biological Resources

  • Forest fire with trees in the background.Forest fire with trees in the background.

    Human Disturbance & Ecosystem Disruption

  • Different types of microbesDifferent types of microbes

    Invasive Species & Diseases

  • Factory with smokestack emitting smokeFactory with smokestack emitting smoke

    Pollution

  • Earth globe next to a thermometer showing high temperature.Earth globe next to a thermometer showing high temperature.

    Climate Change

Horseshoe crabs are facing a severe survival crisis. In parts of Asia, they are captured as a delicacy. They are also overharvested as their blood can be made into medical products. Furthermore, beaches are essential breeding sites for horseshoe crabs. However, reclamation, pollution, urban development, invasive species, and sea-level rise caused by climate change are destroying these beaches. Human recreational activities on beaches also cause disturbance to juveniles, while extreme heat resulting from climate change impacts their survival.

Conservation

IUCN Red List logo with red graphic elements.

IUCN Red List

  • 1 species is Endangered, 1 species is Vulnerable and 2 species are Data Deficient.

Conservation Regulations​

  • Tri-spine Horseshoe Crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) and mangrove horseshoe crabs (Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda) are under Category 2 in the Chinese Wildlife Conservation Law.

  • Tri-spine Horseshoe Crabs and Mangrove horseshoe crabs are native to Hong Kong and are protected under the Marine Parks and Marine Reserves Regulation (Cap. 476A) in Hong Kong.

Ocean Park's Conservation Efforts

The Park has established the Asian Horseshoe Crab Conservation Centre at the back-of-house area to receive and care for horseshoe crabs rescued from the wild. We also organise the Juvenile Horseshoe Crab Rearing Programme, educating students how to care for and monitor them, and eventually release the juveniles to the wild.

Animal Rescue & Recovery in Ocean Park

Learn More
Man in blue vest cleaning a horseshoe crab in a water tank with a brush.

Support Mission R to protect animals & plants!

Saving Species & Habitats

Learn More
Panoramic view of a blue bay, green hills, and islands under a bright blue sky with white clouds.

Eat Local

Learn More
Person eating a salad with a fork and knife at a wooden table.

Plastic Challenge

Learn More
Plastic bottles and styrofoam containers float in polluted water.

Explore more animals & plants

A small brown mottled frog peeking from behind green leaves, looking forward.

Amphibians

Romer's Tree Frog

A spotted seal lies on white ice, looking up, with a blue background.

Mammals

Spotted Seal

Dark brown salamander on vibrant green moss.

Amphibians

Hong Kong Newt

Ocean Park Hong Kong logo featuring a seal mascot splashing water and the Chinese text 香港海洋公園.

Secure your membership today and embark on an extraordinary journey like no other! Join now

ACCREDITED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS & AQUARIUMSACCREDITED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS & AQUARIUMS
World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) logo, featuring a grey elephant and a blue fish, with text 'WAZA | United for Conservation'.World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) logo, featuring a grey elephant and a blue fish, with text 'WAZA | United for Conservation'.
Blue logo with white text "GLOBAL HUMANE CERTIFIED ZOOS & AQUARIUMS" and animal silhouettes.Blue logo with white text "GLOBAL HUMANE CERTIFIED ZOOS & AQUARIUMS" and animal silhouettes.
Accredited by the ALLIANCE of Marine Mammal Parks & Aquariums logoAccredited by the ALLIANCE of Marine Mammal Parks & Aquariums logo
Gold icon with "Accredited Attraction" and "cr" textGold icon with "Accredited Attraction" and "cr" text

Tickets and Offers

Admission Ticket & Special OffersOcean FasTrackVIP Premium TourGroup Ticket

A Day at the Park

Latest EventsAttractionsDining & ShoppingGet Closer to the AnimalsFamily Fun ActivitiesHotelsRecommended ItinerariesPanda Zone

Park Information

Park CalendarGetting HereGuest ServicesPark Notices

Annual Membership

Ocean Park Annual MembershipMembership TiersMember PrivilegesCurrent MembersTicket Conversion

Conservation & Education

ConservationEducation

Plan Your Event

Corporate Events and ChartersPersonal Celebrations
FAQ
Press ReleasePark Rules and RegulationsWebsite Use & Access AgreementPersonal Information Collection StatementPrivacy Policy StatementTender Notices

Copyright © 2026 Ocean Park Hong Kong. All rights reserved.

Ocean Park Corporation is a charitable institution registered with Inland Revenue Department, Hong Kong (File No: 91/2801).

Ocean Park Hong Kong, 180 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong | Tel: (852) 3923 2323 | Fax: (852) 2873 5584

Ocean Park channel

facebook.svgfacebook.svg
instagram.svginstagram.svg
weibo.svgweibo.svg
rednote.svgrednote.svg
youtube.svgyoutube.svg
tiktok.svgtiktok.svg
tripadvisor.svgtripadvisor.svg

Panda channel

instagram.svginstagram.svg
rednote.svgrednote.svg
tiktok.svgtiktok.svg