Did he molt?

[Just_saving_crabs]

This guy was buried for only a few days maybe a week but he looks brighter to me did he actually molt that quickly?

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[wodesorel]

It would be borderline impossible for a crab of that size to molt that quick. Tiny crabs can do it, but big guys normally need a lot more time to get through the physical act of loosening, shedding and hardening.

Does he have sharp black toe points? They would look like skinny mechanical pencil lead. I would also expect a freshly molted big guy to be hairier all over.

They will darken and/or get significantly stronger colors when wet or moist. Even higher levels of humidity will hide the dusky coating they start to develop after going a long time without molting!

[Just_saving_crabs]

It would be borderline impossible for a crab of that size to molt that quick. Tiny crabs can do it, but big guys normally need a lot more time to get through the physical act of loosening, shedding and hardening.

Does he have sharp black toe points? They would look like skinny mechanical pencil lead. I would also expect a freshly molted big guy to be hairier all over.

They will darken and/or get significantly stronger colors when wet or moist. Even higher levels of humidity will hide the dusky coating they start to develop after going a long time without molting!

Ok that must be what it is then. As he doesn't have any of the features you pointed out. Thank you!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk