Molting crabs has much bigger claws

[kevindub]

My emerald crab molted tonight. It's noticably bigger now. The thing that confuses me is that the new molt has much bigger claws. I'm not talking about a little big. I'm talking about more then twice as big. I know they can do this, but how does the new big shell fit in the old one before it molts?

 

[Anonymous]

Because the new bigger shell is soft it fits under the old shell to a point, until it grows too big. The new shell expands and hardens post shedding of the old.

 

[Len]

My mithrax just molted and the new body is HUGE! The claws are at least twice as large as the old ones. I believe the soft carapace expands after they molt, then hardens over the course of a couple days. Crustaceans usually hide for a day or two after molting since their outer shell is still soft and thus lack some level of protection.

 

[Dewman]

HOLY COW!!!!!
My emerald Mithrax just shed tonight too!!!
8O 8O

Was there a ripple in the force? A wrinkle in time?
Are we at the nexus of the universe?
I can't find my new Improved crab to report on his size... Man.. all this excitement

Wow... I'm spent... :lol: :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

:lol: :lol: :lol: