Was wondering because thought crab was dead in fish tank, but then saw crab later, so assumed it must shed it's outer layer, and was wondering if this was true?
2006-08-24 06:49:28 · 15 answers · asked by Carl_the_Cobbler 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Just like all other arthropods with an exoskeleton, the crabs must molt in order to grow.
Look at it like someone wearing a suit of shining armour, as they keep eating and growing, eventually they will have to purchase a bigger suit, so they leave behind their old one. Whw crabs shed their old exoskeleton, they ahve a brand new soft shell underneath. This shell will gradually become harder, this is aided by calcium deposits in the water.
The frequency at which they shed theit outer shell is determined by age and quantity of food they are eating. Very young well fed crabs can molt quite often. Older even well fed crabs molt slowly, because they dont keep growing forever.
Really fascinating stuff!
I hope this answers your question!
2006-08-24 06:52:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes, crabs shed. It's called molting. Without shedding, crabs couldn't grow. Moreover, female crabs must molt in order to mate; their reproductive organs are otherwise inaccessible.
I'm from Maryland, home of the famed Chesapeake Bay blue crab. Crabs that have shed their shells are considered a delicacy and are eaten whole, usually fried. A fried soft crab sandwich is a treat indeed.
2006-08-24 06:54:07 · answer #2 · answered by x 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Crabs do molt, shedding its outer layer once the base of the next, bigger shell is in place underneath, so what you saw would make sense. Cheers.
2006-08-24 06:52:27 · answer #3 · answered by flammable 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they do. In fact, certain kinds of edible crab are most popular when they have lost their shells--they are called "soft shelled crabs" at that time.
Crabs shed their shells because they are outgrowing them. They grow new shells out of a protein called keratin, which is also in hair, fingernails, and horse hooves.
2006-08-24 06:55:35 · answer #4 · answered by telcontar328 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Hermit Crab hasn't got a shell, It finds an empty shell to live in.
2006-08-24 06:59:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, crabs shed their shell every year, its the only way they can grow. The new shell is soft at first which leaves them vulnerable to predators until it hardens.
2006-08-24 07:00:55 · answer #6 · answered by boracic1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's stated as bare. real crabs don't have shells. you're pertaining to hermit crabs. A crab isn't ineffective merely because of the fact it doens't have a shell. You adult males are ignorant.
2016-12-11 14:38:35 · answer #7 · answered by hayakawa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes but they are born with it.not like a hermite crab's which it outgrows and finds another one
2006-08-24 18:06:53 · answer #8 · answered by ApoLLo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
crabs do molt periodically
2006-08-24 06:51:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
2006-08-24 10:32:39 · answer #10 · answered by cognito44 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋