At The Booth Library––

Clams! Can You Dig It?

By Larissa Lytwyn

Eager hands threaten to snatch various marine-dwelling critters from each of their watery transports. Finally, with careful instruction from Robert Fox, educator at the Cedar Island Marina Research Laboratory in Clinton, all 60 children are permitted an up-close-and-personal visit with visitors from Long Island Sound.

Mr Fox’s visit was the latest in a series of C.H. Booth Library activities sponsored by Friends of the C.H. Booth Library. The event seemed particularly full, perhaps, on account of the downpour that had been beating steadily all morning. Mr Fox’s presentation, spiked with exuberance, delighted his young audience.

After describing various characteristics of starfish and whelks, Mr Fox presented the “bully of the beach,” a Japanese shore crab. “These guys were stowaways on ships headed to America from…can you guess where?” invited Mr Fox. “China!” someone screamed. “I’ll give you a hint,” chuckled Mr Fox. “It starts with a J.”

Mr Fox explained that the Japanese shore crabs had acquired their crusty reputation after arriving in Long Island Sound only about 20 years ago. “They tend to pick on other [species of] crabs,” said Mr Fox, “because they’re scared.”

Although Japanese shore crabs spawn an average of 30,000 young, many are of various sizes — at times temptingly small to a winged or finned shoreline predator. Unlike the great snow, king, and blue crab, Mr Fox did not recommend the Japanese shore crab for dinner. “They taste pretty bad,” he said. “Very bitter!”

Next, Mr Fox presented a parent and child pair of green crabs. “You know how you outgrow clothes?” said Mr Fox. “Well, like clothes, green crabs outgrow their shells.” Originating in European waters, green crabs came to US shores well over 100 years ago through, like Japanese shore crabs, clinging as “stowaways” to the undersides of ships.

After returning the green crabs to their traveling tray, Mr Fox introduced an oyster toad fish that, true to its name, emitted a series of sharp, clearly audible grunts when lifted. “Fisherman used to catch them and then hear them make these noises,” said Mr Fox.

“Why is its tail all red?” one member of the audience asked.

“When the toad fish is scared, all the blood rushes to its tail,” Mr Fox explained. “That way, a predator will be less likely to bite its head. After all, it can still swim with part of a tail.”

For the finale, Mr Fox brought out his personal favorite a horseshoe crab named Dino. While referred to as a crab, Mr Fox quickly explained that Dino was actually an arthropod — related to spiders and scorpions. Just as spiders have eight legs, horseshoe crabs have eight eyes. “They have been on earth for 35 million years,” said Mr Fox. “Longer than dinosaurs! And they haven’t changed much at all.”

To enjoy its favorite food, worms, the horseshoe crab will dig its helmetlike head into the sand like a shovel, using its spindly legs and feet to bring its catch to its mouth. Mr Fox said the horseshoe crab’s starlike mouth evokes as much pain “as a toothbrush against your finger.” Likewise, their daunting-looking tails are used primarily for steering through the water and flipping itself to its feet after being overturned by waves.

After Dino was securely returned to his transport bin, the children rushed forward, forming a line to handle each of the creatures Mr Fox had discussed. Like Mr Fox, the participants seemed to favor Dino the horseshoe crab with its exotic appearance.

For more information about the Cedar Island Marina Research Laboratory, contact Director Matthew Mroczka at 860-669-8681.