“A tremendous resource that provides insight into one of the great wildlife wonders of the world...”

David Mizrahi, PhD, Vice-president for Research and Monitoring, New Jersey Audubon Society

Horseshoe Crab Moon

Produced & Directed by Mitchell Smith

48 minutes | SDH captions | Scene Selection

Horseshoe Crab Moon follows biologists Larry Niles and Amanda Dey and their team of dedicated researchers and volunteers as they study the decline of the Horseshoe Crab along the Delaware Bay area and its relationship to the precipitous population crash of the Red Knot, a globe-trotting sandpiper whose numbers have dropped nearly 80% in the last 20 years.


Through a combination of meticulous cataloging of crab egg numbers and the physical health of various shorebirds of interest (including Red Knots, Turnstones and Sanderlings) and careful monitoring of migratory flight paths using geolocators, these scientists are crafting a body of scientific data that can be used to influence state and federal policies related to the conservation of coastal wetlands and bays from crab overharvesting and commercial development.


Horseshoe Crab Moon is an inspiring story of the scientist and field biologist's successful efforts to connect an ancient ecosystem with the interconnected relationship of the moon, tides, Horseshoe crabs and sandpipers.

Horseshoe Crab Moon is now available on DVD with public performance rights for purchase and rental by schools, libraries, and other organizations. Academic streaming can be licensed from Docuseek. Campus and community groups interested in hosting a community screening can book now through Bullfrog Communities.

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Watch the August Pace: 1989 - 2019 trailer on Vimeo

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Horseshoe Crab Moon is an exquisite film about interspecies relationships and illustrates the indispensability of horseshoe crabs to our marine ecosystem. As a keystone species, horseshoe crabs are connected to the wellbeing of birds, turtles and fish. Showcasing conservation efforts, this lively documentary follows citizen scientists as they gather health data about shorebirds and documents the longitudinal effects of humans' use of horseshoe crabs for bait.”

Lisa Jean Moore, Professor of Sociology and Gender Studies, Purchase College SUNY, Author, Catch and Release: The Enduring, yet Vulnerable Horseshoe Crab


Horseshoe Crab Moon depicts the complex nature of the interaction between horseshoe crabs and red knots along Delaware Bay. It highlights the importance of horseshoe crabs and how this animal sits within its ecosystem. This is an especially informative documentary educating the community in general as it presents a complex story in a very approachable manner.”

Dr. Russell Bicknell, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England - Australia


The Crabs, The Birds, The Bay


Released in 1997, the short documentary The Crabs, The Birds, The Bay provides an intimate yet bold look at the annual phenomenon of migrant shorebirds stopping to feed on Horseshoe crab eggs along the beaches of Delaware Bay. The behavior documented here provides the basis for the current research featured in Horseshoe Crab Moon.


Available now on DVD for just $79

To order Horseshoe Crab Moon,

visit the Bullfrog Films online catalog.

Order by phone at (610) 779-8226

or email us at info@bullfrogfilms.com

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Bullfrog Films is the oldest and largest publisher of documentary films about the environment in the United States. We define "environment" broadly, and our catalog includes programs on ecology, energy, agriculture, indigenous peoples, women's studies, environmental justice, international relations, sustainable development, anthropology, economics, ethics, and conflict resolution.

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