Is the horseshoe crab a protected animal? Let us guide you through the protection levels of horseshoe crabs

The horseshoe crab is an ancient creature with high medicinal value, but due to widespread hunting and killing by people, it is now an endangered species. So is the horseshoe crab a protected animal?

1. Is the horseshoe crab a protected animal?

The horseshoe crab is a protected animal, and is a key protected animal in Guangdong, Guangxi and Fujian. It has currently been included in the 2012 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Any unit or individual is prohibited from illegally hunting, killing, purchasing, processing or carrying them.

2. Can horseshoe crabs be artificially bred?

At present, horseshoe crabs still cannot be artificially bred; they can only be kept temporarily, that is, raised for a period of time. If the artificial breeding period is too long, they will develop symptoms of anemia and eventually die, which means the longest breeding period is about one year. If large-scale artificial breeding is to be carried out, what is most lacking now is breeding technology, so breeding technology still needs to be continuously improved before true artificial breeding of horseshoe crabs can be achieved.

In general, the horseshoe crab is a protected animal, and is called a key protected animal in Guangdong, Guangxi and Fujian. It is prohibited for anyone or any unit to hunt, kill, purchase, etc.