How Do I Dry Out a Horseshoe Crab?

eHow
July 13, 2011

Finding a horseshoe crab shell on the beach is like finding buried treasure. These large, ancient creatures are fascinating to look at, and their shells make impressive souvenirs. More closely related to spiders and scorpions than crabs, horseshoe crabs have remained virtually unchanged for 350 million years. You can find them all along the Atlantic coast, from Maine to the Yucatan Peninsula. Unlike seashells and sand dollars, horseshoe crab shells must be cleaned and preserved properly to make good souvenirs. Always check local laws about removing wildlife from the beach.

Things You'll Need

• Large bucket
• Rubbing alcohol 
• 3 gallons water
• ½ cup bleach
• Spray-on lacquer 

Step 1
Choose your shell carefully. Never take a live horseshoe crab from the beach. Like all sea creatures, horseshoe crabs are an important part of the ecosystem. Disturbing their life cycle and habitat is harmful to the environment and, in many places, illegal. Horseshoe crabs molt their shells as they grow, so try to find a vacant shell to take home.

Step 2
Remove any tissue left inside the shell. The tissue cannot be preserved and will decompose quickly, giving off an unpleasant odor. Soak the body in enough rubbing alcohol to cover it for 48 hours. Lay the body in the sun, shell-side down, to dry. Remove the tissue. The tail can be preserved.

Step 3
Flush the shell thoroughly with water to remove all remaining tissue.

Step 4
Soak the shell in a solution of bleach and water in a large bucket, using ½ cup of bleach per 3 gallons of water. Soak for 20 to 30 minutes to sterilize the shell and remove any odor.

Step 5
Rinse the shell thoroughly, inside and out, to remove any residual bleach and sand.

Step 6
Lay the shell in the sun to dry completely.

Step 7
Spray both sides of the shell and the tail with a spray can of lacquer to strengthen the shell. Let it dry completely, about 10 minutes. Add a second coat if desired.

References
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: The Horseshoe Crab
Horseshoe Crabs: Horseshoe Crab Shell Preservation