Do not let the name fool you! Slaughter Beach is one of my favorite beaches. When we went on a hot summer day, there was only 10 people on the beach. The parking and bathrooms were free. If that does not sell you, I don’t know what will.
Not only is it not polluted with a ton of sun bathers and vacationers, but it is unique with its stony shore. You do not have to worry about the puddles of sandy mud or finding irritating sand in all your nooks and crannies.
Have you ever seen a beach without waves?
The Name
Now, let’s get back to that name… Although it sounds like some 1970s horror film, it is nothing to be afraid of. Yet, when you come to the beach you may find some dead bodies. In the spring and early summer, this shore is a spawning location of Horseshoe Crabs.
Unfortunately, the waves flip over the crabs and leave them stranded on the beach, until a very nice sun bather flips them back over (correctly) so they can join their ocean friends. For those that do not get assistance, die on the shore. Therefore, it is not uncommon to find their deceased bodies on the beach.
Today, you can find instructions on how to safely return the Horseshoe Crabs back to the sea. As a certified wildlife habitat community, Slaughter Beach strives to maintain its status as a Horseshoe Crab Sanctuary.
Why are Horseshoe Crabs Important?
Although they are called Horseshoe Crabs, they do not look like crabs. Instead, they are a hard exoskeleton with legs attached to its mouth and a long tail. (Make sure you NEVER grab the tails, since it can badly hurt the Horseshoe Crabs). They are big and intimidating, but completely harmless.
If you have never heard of them, these animals are extremely valuable to the ecosystem and to us humans. Each year, hundreds of thousands of Horseshoe Crabs are bled for its blue blood to make a substance called Limulus Amebocyte Lysate, which is used to detect bacteria in medicinal settings.
Things to Know:
The largest parking area is at the fire house. It also has free public bathrooms.
Just a short drive away from the popular Rehoboth Beach. Check out my post Beach Day: Rehoboth Beach.
The beach is located off of a small town. Therefore, there is no boardwalk or major restaurants in the area.
If you find a Horseshoe Crab, carefully pick them up by the sides of the shell and NEVER the tail.
Horseshoe crabs are one of the oldest animals on the planet.
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Are You Interested In Learning More About Horseshoe Crabs?
