Great Video on Crab Molting

[Logical1]

[KC_Jones]

Many years ago I netted a pair that were mating.  The one difference from this video is they were facing the opposite direction from one another with their aprons open.  Not sure if both methods are common in nature, but was a difference I noted in this video.

It really is fascinating stuff.  I do wonder one thing, and maybe someone knows.  Crabs are known for cannibalism, so, do males eat females and vice versa, or due to mating rituals, do males only eat males, and females only eat females?

[Harford Crabber]

A few years ago I caught a buster with a doubler on the trotline.  She was about 1/3 way out when I caught em.  I was amazed that the Jimmy would feed while she was busting and just as amazed that he held on while line was coming up to the boat.   Guess his mind was on what comes next...lol     
She somehow found her way into my  livewell and I had a nice softy about an hour later.

[Harford Crabber]

And Jack, I don't think males ever reach full maturity.....   at least that's what my wife says,  lol

[Harford Crabber]

Here's another one of molting... This one shows mating around the :55 mark.