Why should I never lift a horseshoe crab by its tail?

The tail is sensitive and easily injured, so hold the sides of the shell instead.

Upside-down horseshoe crab

Gently turn the crab over by its shell

Flip only an upside-down horseshoe crab. Gently turn it over by holding the sides of its shell.

Help only when the horseshoe crab is upside down.

Gently hold the sides of the shell and flip the crab upright. The tail is sensitive and easily injured, so never lift the crab by its tail.

After you set the crab upright, it can return to the water on its legs.

This page gives general guidance only for an upside-down horseshoe crab.

It does not report a Surfside Beach sighting, local abundance, season, population, collection rule, legal allowance, treatment step, or phone number.

Should I flip every horseshoe crab I see?: Help only when the horseshoe crab is upside down.; Source: UF/IFAS horseshoe crab guide (opens in a new tab)
How should I turn over an upside-down horseshoe crab?: Gently hold the sides of the shell and flip the crab upright. The tail is sensitive and easily injured, so never lift the crab by its tail.; Sources: UF/IFAS horseshoe crab guide (opens in a new tab), SCDNR horseshoe crab page (opens in a new tab)
Why should I never lift a horseshoe crab by its tail?: The tail is sensitive and easily injured, so hold the sides of the shell instead.; Sources: UF/IFAS horseshoe crab guide (opens in a new tab), SCDNR horseshoe crab page (opens in a new tab)
What happens after I turn the horseshoe crab upright?: After you set the crab upright, it can return to the water on its legs.; Source: UF/IFAS horseshoe crab guide (opens in a new tab)