Japanese spider crab moults its shell in amazing timelapse video

Process took over six hours and allows animal to eat more and grow bigger

Amazing footage shows a Japanese spider crab moulting its shell at Seaworld San Diego marine park.

In the video, the crab can be seen leaving its old shell behind and reappearing in a new vibrant red colour.

The process took over six hours and allows the animal to eat more and grow bigger.

Aquarium curator Mike Price said: “It’s a perfectly natural occurrence for a spider crab.

“But for us as marine scientists to be able to witness Mother Nature in action in such an impressive way, that’s a great day at SeaWorld.”

Moulting is a natural process by which an animal casts off a part of its body. It happens with birds, but also snakes, cats, lizards, arachnids, insects and, of course, crabs.