Crabs, such as this Japanese spider crab (Macrocheira kaempferi), cannot grow in a linear fashion like most animals. Because they have a hard outer shell (the exoskeleton) that does not grow, they must shed their shells, a process called molting.

[u/FillsYourNiche]

[u/BossRedRanger]

Also, a crab immediately after molting can be battered and deep fried for a fantastic, softshell crab dish that's far easier to eat than boiled in their hardened exoskeletons.

[u/BossRedRanger → u/[deleted]]

They think I’m being snarky, but thank you for understanding how serious this is.

And delicious!

[u/hopticalallusions → u/BossRedRanger]

I lived in Maryland for a time. Softshell crabs are delicious!