November 21st 2008 • HOME •

The Aquatic Fauna of Fire Island:

A seal, as photographed by FIE director Martin van Lith in February 2005, between
Old Inlet and Whalehouse Point. It would appear to be a harbor seal, more at home in colder waters, but on rare occasions seen at this latitude.

Horseshoe crab. They may be a bit on the homely side, but we are lucky to have these "crabs" (actually, they are more closely related to spiders). Over three million years old, this species is not endangered in the Fire Island area, though they used to be more common than they are today, and in other regions they are in trouble. Their decline has caused serious problems for migrating birds, who feed on their eggs during their spring flights from South American to the Arctic. Lately, the birds have often had to continue their flights north inadequately nourished. Horseshoe crabs are also useful to humans, who use them as bait to catch conch and eel, and for medical (cancer) research.

Horseshoe crabs spend most of their time in deep water. But in the spring, at full moon/highest tide they come ashore in large numbers to mate and bury fertilized eggs. When the next full moon occurs, the larvae will be transported to the sea.

So if you find a live horseshoe crab in trouble (upside down on beach) do everyone a favor and upright it. And do yourself a favor by reading about this wondrous creature.

Hungry? See our Jelly-fish page.

The Whale: It has been a long time since Fire Islanders have seen one. But in the 19^th Century this was big whaling territory. (No whales have been taken here since 1907.)

Updated 8 April '05