Horseshoe Crab Educational Display

This past October, the City of Cedar Key Commission gave preliminary approval for development of a horseshoe crab educational display to be located either in the City Park or along the railing adjacent to the park on A Street.

The display will inform visitors about this marine arthropod, which is among the world`s oldest animals, often called a "iving fossil." Although populations are declining, Cedar Key`s beaches support active nesting sites. The display will also educate boaters on how to protect horseshoe crabs during the spawning season.

The display will feature a customized fiberglass panel, similar to the new educational signs posted at the Shell Mound Trail by the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, and be developed in partnership with Florida Sea Grant, Dr. Jane Brockmann with the University of Florida, and the Tuck family.

Kathleen Tuck and Horseshoe Crab Exhibit

These panels are expensive and costs could reach around $2200 including the mounting. Currently, about 60% of the costs have been collected through donations. Kathleen Tuck, a Cedar Key resident, dedicated countless hours conducting beach surveys and educating the public about this unique creature. For a horseshoe crab to grow larger, it must molt and shed its shell. Crab molts, collected by Kathleen, have been mounted in various sized shadow boxes and are available for purchase at Deja Vu located on 589 2nd Street. By purchasing one, you will be contributing to this educational display on horseshoe crabs in Kathleen`s memory.