Molting
The crab during molting removes legs, eyestalk, mouthparts and the gills along with him leaving behind the old shell, esophagus, entire stomach lining, and the last half inch of its intestine [1]. Crabs may molt 15 – 20 times during their lifespan [2]. The molting process has other benefits beside growth, such as getting rid of parasites, barnacles, bacteria degrading the chitin and other animals growing on the shell [1]. However, the molting process remains very dangerous and stressful. During molting the crabs will be at the risk of cannibalization by other crabs or vulnerability to other predators. Even small physiological, mechanical or chemical problems may result in a certain death [2]. Crabs that have lost legs can regenerate them during molting. Crabs need three molts to grow their leg back to its normal size [1]. The table below shows the frequency of molting thought-out the lifespan of a king crab.
Table. 1: Molting Frequency At Specified Years [1]
Interaction
They do not like to be moved around and being disturbed. These pet will form bubbles in their mouth due to over excitement from the environment which shocked them. Therefore, it is important to minimize movement of their living habitat and touching them.
[1] D. B. G. Stevens. (18 May). Molting: How Crabs Grow. Available: http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/Kodiak/shellfish/cultivation/crabGrow.htm
[2] A. R. G. a. J. A. Anderson, "Soft Shell Crab Shedding Systems," SRAC Publication 4306, October 2011.