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Two sympatric species of horseshoe crab Tachypleus gigas and Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda are found along the coastlines of Odisha, India facing the Bay of Bengal. The distribution and abundance of these two species were surveyed for a period of 1 year from two coastal sites at Ekakula and Balaramgadi of Odisha in link with phases of the moon. At Ekakula, both species were encountered during the study period; however, over 95 % of the horseshoe crabs recorded were dead. While the numbers of horseshoe crabs counted during new and full moon phases were statistically similar for both species, relatively fewer sightings were recorded in the winter period. Combining all live and dead specimens, a higher mean density of 1.34 individuals/m² was recorded for T. gigas than that of 0.18 individuals/m² for C. rotundicauda. In addition, a clear habitat preference was noted, in which T. gigas was found on …