Photo #2 of 8. Having reached the "buster" molt stage, a Maryland blue crab , Callinectes sapidus, sheds its shell. During its lifetime a crab may molt 20 to 25 times, increasing its size as much as 1/4 to 1/3 each time. The genus and species mean tasty beautiful swimmer.

Image ID: line0960, NOAA's America's Coastlines Collection
Location: Tangier Island, Virginia
Photo Date: 1999 October 16
Photographer: Mary Hollinger, NODC biologist, NOAA


Category: Coastline/Chesapeake Bay Virginia/

• High Resolution Photo Available