Nearby shorebirds surround HORSESHOE CRAB, their beaks dart to claim eggs that may be on her undercarriage as Horseshoe Crab slap-flips her lance-like tail (telson) to try turn herself over... (Smith et al 2019) #2025MMM. - ThreadSky

tcastanea.bsky.social • 8 days ago

Nearby shorebirds surround HORSESHOE CRAB, their beaks dart to claim eggs that may be on her undercarriage as Horseshoe Crab slap-flips her lance-like tail (telson) to try turn herself over... (Smith et al 2019) #2025MMM.

Comments

mrsh-sci.bsky.social•8 days ago

There better not be a lousy human picking her up by the tail!!! #TeamInvert
#2025MMM

petnoodle.bsky.social•8 days ago

Awww :(

peculiarpetunia.bsky.social•8 days ago

OH NO. #2025MMM

tcastanea.bsky.social•8 days ago

The shorebird melee attracts PELICAN'S attention. Rather awkwardly Pelican flaps his wings & kicks his short legs with large webbed feet to take off from the water surface & investigate an opportunity for a scavenged meal (Megaze & Melesse 2013) #2025MMM

tcastanea.bsky.social•8 days ago

HORSESHOE CRAB successfully flips herself over with her telson & scrambles into deeper waters, sending scores of fish, ~0.5lbs, scattering in silvery flashes. #2025MMM

tcastanea.bsky.social•8 days ago

PELICAN, large wings gliding low over the water, spots the darting silver fish exactly his preferred size & dives to scoop fish & water into his expandable, bucket-like throat pouch... (Megaze & Melesse 2013) #2025MMM

tcastanea.bsky.social•8 days ago

PELICAN'S lowers his massive beak... scooping up water, fish... as HORSESHOE CRAB accidentally scuttles into his throat #2025MMM