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This week, we’re learning about one of the most fascinating circulatory systems on the planet. Drum roll, please… it belongs to the notorious living fossils: horseshoe crabs! While most animals have red blood, horseshoe crabs have blue blood. But that’s not all—their blood is also incredibly valuable in the world of science and medicine. It contains a special molecule that reacts to bacteria, making it a key ingredient in a test scientists use to detect harmful bacteria in vaccines, medical devices, and even drinking water. And here's the really cool part: horseshoe crab blood glows in the dark! Under ultraviolet light, their blood can emit a soft, eerie blue glow—an amazing natural phenomenon. Come join us to explore horseshoe crab habitat in the hopes of seeing one up close. We’ve got lots of experiments planned this week that will glow your mind. And what better way to understand this phenomenon than by searching for them under the stars during a favorite Sanibel Sea School tradition – a night snorkel!
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