Soft-shell crab is a prized dish in many ocean-side resorts. Why are the crabs' shells soft? Soft-shell crab is a prized dish in many ocean-side resorts. Why are the crabs' shells soft? These species have evolved a light and soft exoskeleton so that they can float in the water column. These species have evolved a light and soft exoskeleton so that gases can diffuse directly between body of the crab and the surrounding water. The crab has just molted and the new exoskeleton has not yet hardened. These species of crabs live under rocks and therefore have lost the hard exoskeleton over evolutionary time.

Question

Biology

Gillian Peterson

5 November, 11:14

Soft-shell crab is a prized dish in many ocean-side resorts. Why are the crabs' shells soft? Soft-shell crab is a prized dish in many ocean-side resorts. Why are the crabs' shells soft? These species have evolved a light and soft exoskeleton so that they can float in the water column. These species have evolved a light and soft exoskeleton so that gases can diffuse directly between body of the crab and the surrounding water. The crab has just molted and the new exoskeleton has not yet hardened. These species of crabs live under rocks and therefore have lost the hard exoskeleton over evolutionary time.

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Answers (1)

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Teagan Schmidt · Answer 1

The crab has just molted and the new exoskeleton has not yet hardened.

Explanation:

Crabs have an exoskeleton or shell which protects and supports them. From time to time crabs molt i. e. they discard the old exoskeleton and begin forming a new one. This process is a part of their normal growth. Soft-shell crabs had recently undergone molting and the new shell had just started to form. Hence, it has not hardened completely and is comparatively soft. Soft-shell crabs are in popular demand because it is easier to remove the soft shell and access the meat as compared to the normal crab.