Apart from the terrapin-related research and conservation work that we do at the Wetlands Institute, we do other research work too. For example, one of the earliest projects that we were all involved in was the horseshoe crab spawning census that was conducted in May and June.
A census was conducted 2 days before the new moon and full moon, on the new moon and full moon, and 2 days after the new moon and full moon. During the spawning census, an intern walks some totally random number of steps on the beach for 1 km, and then count the number of male and female horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus) that are found in the quadrant. Another intern records the number of horseshoe crabs in a data sheet.
The female horseshoe crab is bigger than the male, and she is usually partially submerged in the sand and the males would be “hooked” onto her. We have seen as many as 10 males to a female! 
Apart from the obvious difference in size, the male horseshoe crab is also characterized by the presence of a pair of boxing-gloves look-a-like legs.
Besides counting the number of horseshoe crabs in the quadrant, two other interns are responsible for counting all the male and female horseshoe crabs in the same 1 km length of the beach.
Despite what you might think about horseshoe crabs, they are pretty harmless. Some people eat them, though they haven’t much meat to begin with. And whatever you do, NEVER EVER pick a horseshoe crab up by its tail. I guess it’s akin to me picking you up by your THUMB. And, legend has it that whoever kisses a LIVE horseshoe crab will have 7 years of good luck! 
More pictures taken during the horseshoe crab spawning census here.
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where did that legend come from???
How do the American horsecrabs differ from the Malaysian ones?
Can you secretly bring back a horsecrab for me? I would love to kiss one too, but of course I wouldn’t mind kissing two at a time (=
Crab is the Sun Sign for Cancer. You must know that the crabs are excellent friends and very sentimental. I am not surprised about this legend.
What funny pictures of Crab!
very interesting… learning new things each day
Legend or not, I don’t think I’ll be trying to kiss one anytime soon. I know they’re probably friendly, but MAN are they ugly.