From grand natural wonders to quirky roadside attractions and massive cities to coastal towns, the U.S. is home to countless incredible destinations including Slaughter Beach in Delaware. But not all of these spectacular spots are well-known. In fact, many of America’s most remarkable places fly under the radar. Even in our small state, you will find secret gems the rest of the country overlooks, including this vibrant coastal community you’re sure to love. Move over Rehoboth, Dewey, and Bethany, Slaughter Beach in Delaware is America’s best-kept secret, at least according to Reader’s Digest.
This ominously-named yet perfectly lovely beach is one of the world’s most unique, located in the town of Slaughter Beach.
Ideas for how the town got its name are various from the dying of the horseshoe crabs in the sun, "slaughter of the crabs;" a small Slaughter Creek found on early maps;
and after a local postmaster William Slaughter. One more interesting idea implies the moniker comes from the legend of a man named Brabant, who slaughtered several Native Americans at this site by cannon. While we may never know the meaning of Slaughter Beach, the town was officially incorporated in 1931.
Upon first glance, this might look like any other beach.
You’ll find fine, white sand and sparkling water, but it’s the tiny critters that invade this stretch of shoreline each year that makes Slaughter Beach unique.
You see, Slaughter Beach is designated as an official "horseshoe crab sanctuary."
Each year in May and June, hundreds of thousands of these prehistoric creatures that date back more than 450 million years ago come to Slaughter Beach to spawn, traveling from the depths of the ocean to the tiny state of Delaware.
While their gigantic, spiked tails make them seem like dangerous creatures, they're harmless.
In fact, these bizarre little crabs are quite important to humans. Their unique blood contains a substance that can detect small amounts of toxins. Their copper-based blue blood, then, is used to test the sterility of IV drugs and medical equipment. How cool!
Slaughter Beach’s 200 residents are far outnumbered by horseshoe crabs — the official marine animal of Delaware.
At its peak, you can witness a quarter-of-a-million horseshoe crabs preparing to lay their eggs, but the rest of the year, this seemingly ordinary beach is quite picturesque.
If you love hidden, often overlooked beaches or unique marine life, Delaware's Slaughter Beach absolutely must make it onto your United States' bucket list.
If you are asking yourself, "Where is Slaughter Beach?" You will find it in Sussex County, Delaware, and one way to access it is by the boardwalk Marvel Saltmarsh Preserve. Events involving the wildlife are sprinkled throughout the spring and summer beginning April-June with baby diamondback terrapin hatchlings moving to the marsh and shore birds returning, May-July offers nesting activity of female diamondback terrapins and, of course, the return of the horseshoe crabs May-August. Have you been to Slaughter Beach in Delaware? If not, add it to your America bucket list, and if you have, share your experiences and opinions with us in the comments below.
Then, check out some of Delaware's secret destinations, from little-known restaurants and museums to hidden hiking trails and beaches.
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