Crabs moult through a process called ecdysis, which allows them to grow since their hard exoskeleton (shell) doesn’t stretch. Here's how it works step-by-step: Pre-molt stage: The crab absorbs calcium from its old shell and stores it in its body. It also starts forming a soft new shell underneath the old one. During this time, the crab may stop eating and hide to prepare for moulting. Shedding the old shell: The crab takes in water to swell its body, which causes the old shell to crack—usually a

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SHEDDING YOUR SUIT OF ARMOR (ECDYSIS) Many invertebrate species such as insects, spiders and crustaceans must undergo a shedding of their exoskeleton (hard body armor). Technically known as ecdysis, this shedding allows these animals’ bodies to expand as they grow. The animal’s back cracks open and a soft vulnerable animal wriggles out of the old suit of armor. In many species, the new cuticle is pale, even ghostly white as in the case of the cockroaches in this video. The new body may take hour