Some pics of my red-claw crab's moult.

[KissThis]

Red claw crab (Perisesarma Bidens)
If you look closely, you will see my crab had only one claw/pincer. However he emerged from his old exoskeleton nicely complete with both pincers perfect and present.
Crabs emerge from their old shell backwards. The shell begins to split, and the crab will slowly push himself out of the rear end.
They will hide away for a few days after a moult, because the new exoskeleton takes a few days to harden, so he is very vulnerable at this time. During these few days, while his shell is still soft, he will do his growing. Once the shell hardens, he will usually come out of hiding.
Quite often, a crab eats his cast off exoskeleton to help replace lost calcium and other nutritients lost during the stress of the moult.

[Toodles McGinty]

Amazing pics. It fascinates me that it seems even their eyes are part of the moult. Nature is astounding.

Thanks for the photos.

[Chris R]

Thank you for sharing Kiss This, it is totally amazing, please keep us updated with his progression

[KissThis]

Amazing pics. It fascinates me that it seems even their eyes are part of the moult. Nature is astounding.

Thanks for the photos.

I'm glad you enjoyed them Toodles Nature is indeed incredible, and even at her cruelest, which it can indeed be at times, it is nothing compared to the cruelty that our own species can dish out!

Thank you for sharing Kiss This, it is totally amazing, please keep us updated with his progression

Glad you liked them Chris! I've got some video links of my crabs too, will pop them up in a bit

[said]

Interesting! When is it ready to eat?

[KissThis]

Interesting! When is it ready to eat?

It's a good job I still have my humour or I'd be chasing you with my welly boot held aloft That however would be a fruitless effort anyway now seeing as my HD has buggered up most of my coordination.. Couldnt hit a cow's bum with a shovel now This little chap is only as big as a 10 pence piece including his little leggies, he wouldn't even make a decent houre derv
So NERRRR !!

[toothache]

Was it you who posted about an axolotl last year? If so, have you still got her and how is the little girl? I would love to see an update with photo.

[theantiquesman]

hi,
Evelution is so fantastack

Mind bogeling.

who, what, or how and why, makes you think.

Is there an architect behind it all.
or is it all a big coincedence.

[KissThis]

Was it you who posted about an axolotl last year? If so, have you still got her and how is the little girl? I would love to see an update with photo.

Hi, yes it was me Mavis gave me a tremendous fright some time back, I was just enjoying a quiet time watching her, when I spotted a growth right near one of her back legs. Frantic dash on to the caudata forums with a photo, where I was advised to turn her round and check the other side...
Sure enough, a matching pair HIS doodahs had dropped
All is good again now in the world of a boy called Mavis

hi,
Evelution is so fantastack

Mind bogeling.

who, what, or how and why, makes you think.

Is there an architect behind it all.
or is it all a big coincedence.

It really is incredible Mick. Animals are seen as so far below humans, yet you only have to watch how they adapt and equip themselves for survival in their ever changing worlds.
We can't hold a candle to them

[Hamble]

Great Photo's KT.

[KissThis]

Great Photo's KT.

Thank you When the little guydecides to come out of hiding a bit more, I will hopefully get a clear shot of him, and not just his cast off overcoat

[Hamble]

Thank you When the little guydecides to come out of hiding a bit more, I will hopefully get a clear shot of him, and not just his cast off overcoat

Send them to the National Geographic.

[toothache]

[QUOTE=KissThis;6694078]Hi, yes it was me Mavis gave me a tremendous fright some time back, I was just enjoying a quiet time watching her, when I spotted a growth right near one of her back legs. Frantic dash on to the caudata forums with a photo, where I was advised to turn her round and check the other side...
Sure enough, a matching pair HIS doodahs had dropped
All is good again now in the world of a boy called Mavis
QUOTE]

So pleased Mavis is fine - so trendy to have changed her sex (albeit unwittingly). It seems to be all the rage these days.

[KissThis]

Send them to the National Geographic.

Really? Now that's something I'd never have thought of!

[QUOTE=toothache;6694156]

Hi, yes it was me Mavis gave me a tremendous fright some time back, I was just enjoying a quiet time watching her, when I spotted a growth right near one of her back legs. Frantic dash on to the caudata forums with a photo, where I was advised to turn her round and check the other side...
Sure enough, a matching pair HIS doodahs had dropped
All is good again now in the world of a boy called Mavis
QUOTE]

So pleased Mavis is fine - so trendy to have changed her sex (albeit unwittingly). It seems to be all the rage these days.

It does doesn't it! He's a very 'with-it' and 'clued-up' axolotl though is my Mave the Rave. He should be on television

[said]

It's a good job I still have my humour or I'd be chasing you with my welly boot held aloft That however would be a fruitless effort anyway now seeing as my HD has buggered up most of my coordination.. Couldnt hit a cow's bum with a shovel now This little chap is only as big as a 10 pence piece including his little leggies, he wouldn't even make a decent houre derv
So NERRRR !!

Well - that is illegal advertising - they look much bigger in your photos! Don't worry - I will shop elsewhere!