When spring's warmth returns, the youngsters crawl out and resume eating and molting. The crabs also resume attacking and eating one another. One of a crab's defenses is to sacrifice an arm or leg to an attacker. Remarkably, special cells in the stump will begin multiplying, quickly regenerating the lost limb in two or three molts. When males reach sexual maturity, they typically measure 4 to 5 inches across and may molt several more times, moving into the jumbo sizes that command much higher prices.
Females are usually a little smaller.
After that molt, the male begins releasing the pheromone that attracts females, bringing the saga full circle. News Jobs AP Shopping Archives Entertain.