Living Fossil: Horseshoe Crab Larvae Now on Exhibit at Shikoku Aquarium
Key facts
- Living Fossil: Horseshoe Crab Larvae Now on Exhibit at Shikoku Aquarium
- Shikoku Aquarium in Kagawa Prefecture began exhibiting second-instar horseshoe crab larvae on May 16, 2026. Transferred from the Kasaoka City Horseshoe Crab Museum, these specimens help educate visitors about the ecology and conservation of these rare creatures once common in the Seto Inland Sea.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: May 19, 2026
Direct answer
Shikoku Aquarium in Kagawa Prefecture began exhibiting second-instar horseshoe crab larvae on May 16, 2026. Transferred from the Kasaoka City Horseshoe Crab Museum, these specimens help educate visitors about the ecology and conservation of these rare creatures once common in the Seto Inland Sea.
- Citation
- Living Fossil: Horseshoe Crab Larvae Now on Exhibit at Shikoku Aquarium (May 19, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- May 19, 2026
Shikoku Aquarium in Kagawa Prefecture began exhibiting second-instar horseshoe crab larvae on May 16, 2026. Transferred from the Kasaoka City Horseshoe Crab Museum, these specimens help educate visitors about the ecology and conservation of these rare creatures once common in the Seto Inland Sea.
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- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 03:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 18, 2026 at 18:31
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Shikoku Aquarium (located in Utazu, Kagawa) is now exhibiting horseshoe crab larvae, frequently referred to as "living fossils."
The larvae on display were originally bred and hatched at the Kasaoka City Horseshoe Crab Museum in Okayama Prefecture. These individuals were being raised for wild release before being transferred to Shikoku Aquarium for this educational exhibit.
Horseshoe crabs were once found throughout the Seto Inland Sea. However, due to factors such as land reclamation and marine pollution, they have vanished from most areas except for a few specific regions. Kasaoka City in Okayama Prefecture is designated as a national natural monument and is a known breeding ground. In Kagawa Prefecture, they are only rarely caught in bottom trawls, and their population is believed to be significantly diminished.
This exhibition recreates the natural habitat of horseshoe crabs, allowing visitors to observe the larvae as they burrow into the mud and feed on plankton.
We hope that by bringing visitors closer to these horseshoe crabs—creatures that have remained virtually unchanged for millions of years—we can encourage everyone to think about what can be done to ensure their survival into the future.
[Exhibition Details]
Period: Starting Saturday, May 16, 2026
Location: 1st Floor, Main Building, Setouchi Zone (next to the "Living Fossil" space)
Species: Horseshoe crab (2nd instar larvae)
*Note: Exhibit content is subject to change or termination without notice based on the condition of the animals.
The larvae on display were originally bred and hatched at the Kasaoka City Horseshoe Crab Museum in Okayama Prefecture. These individuals were being raised for wild release before being transferred to Shikoku Aquarium for this educational exhibit.
Horseshoe crabs were once found throughout the Seto Inland Sea. However, due to factors such as land reclamation and marine pollution, they have vanished from most areas except for a few specific regions. Kasaoka City in Okayama Prefecture is designated as a national natural monument and is a known breeding ground. In Kagawa Prefecture, they are only rarely caught in bottom trawls, and their population is believed to be significantly diminished.
This exhibition recreates the natural habitat of horseshoe crabs, allowing visitors to observe the larvae as they burrow into the mud and feed on plankton.
We hope that by bringing visitors closer to these horseshoe crabs—creatures that have remained virtually unchanged for millions of years—we can encourage everyone to think about what can be done to ensure their survival into the future.
[Exhibition Details]
Period: Starting Saturday, May 16, 2026
Location: 1st Floor, Main Building, Setouchi Zone (next to the "Living Fossil" space)
Species: Horseshoe crab (2nd instar larvae)
*Note: Exhibit content is subject to change or termination without notice based on the condition of the animals.
FAQ
When did the horseshoe crab exhibit start?
It began on May 16, 2026, and is located in the Setouchi Zone on the 1st floor of the main building.
How much is the admission for children?
1,400 yen for elementary/junior high students, 700 yen for children aged 3 and over, and free for those under 3.
What kind of horseshoe crabs are on display?
Second-instar larvae that were bred in Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture, are currently on display.