The dialogue is a conversation between Coyote and Mark, two explorers who have stumbled upon an unusual creature while exploring tide pools in Harpswell, Maine. The creature is a horseshoe crab, a large arthropod with a unique and intimidating appearance. The two discover the creature while walking down the coastline and are surprised to find it.
The horseshoe crab, which is not actually related to crabs, but to spiders and scorpions, has a large, hard exoskeleton (carapace) that looks like a horseshoe, hence its name. It has nine eyes, including five light-sensing eyes on the top of its carapace and two simple eyes on the underside.
The horseshoe crabs are unique because they have been on the planet for over 450 million years, and this specific species has not changed in over 230 million years. The creatures are capable of breathing underwater or out of the water, and they breed during June to August when they come close to the shore.
Despite its intimidating appearance, the horseshoe crab is actually one of the friendliest marine animals. If encountered in the wild, it should be admired from a respectful distance. If found flipped on its back, it can be gently picked up and set back into the water.
The conversation ends with the two explorers expressing their fascination with the horsehoe crab and encouraging viewers to subscribe to their show, Beyond The Tide, for more adventures.
1. The text is a transcript of a conversation between two individuals, Mark and Coyote, as they explore the marine life exposed during low tide at Harpswell, Maine. They are specifically looking for a water beast they had been hoping to feature on their series, Beyond The Tide.
2. They encounter an unusual creature that Mark identifies as a grass full of tiny fleas or something jumping. This creature is later identified as sand fleas.
3. The sand fleas are described as jumping all over them and are so numerous that they can't be grabbed.
4. The pair continues down the coastline, but they only find more sand fleas and no other living creatures.
5. Their luck changes when they come across an animal they had always hoped to get up close for the cameras. It is initially mistaken for a turtle, but it turns out to be a horseshoe crab.
6. The horseshoe crab is described as a bizarre-looking creature with a horseshoe-like shape. It is pinching Coyote, but it doesn't have a stinger or fangs and its tail is not venomous.
7. The horseshoe crab is revealed to have nine eyes in total, including five light-sensing eyes on top of its carapace and two simple eyes on the underside.
8. The horseshoe crab is a living fossil, with the ancestors of this species having been on the planet for over 450 million years. This specific species has not changed in over 230 million years.
9. The horseshoe crab is almost impossible to hold on to due to its size and density. However, it cannot hurt humans and is one of the friendliest marine animals.
10. If a horseshoe crab gets flipped on its back, it tries to right itself but can't. There is a conservation effort called Just Flip 'Em that encourages people to gently grab the carapace and flip the crab right-side up if they see it flipped on its back.
11. Horseshoe crabs come very close to shore to breathe between June and August. The female will nestle down in the rocks and the male will latch himself onto the back of the female.
12. The horseshoe crab is released back into the ocean after being examined. The transcript ends with a call to action, encouraging viewers to subscribe to Beyond The Tide for the next adventure.
13. The transcript also mentions an encounter with an octopus, but the details of this encounter are not provided in the given text.