what happens after a crab molts its exoskeleton?

Question

1)a female will often mate
2)their bodies are soft for a few days
3)they are more susceptible to predators
4)all of the above

Answer 1

The correct answer is 4) all of the above. After a crab molts its exoskeleton, it often leads to several consequences:

1. A female crab may be more likely to mate post-molt due to her soft body being more desirable to males.
2. Their bodies are indeed soft for a few days after molting, making them vulnerable until their new exoskeleton hardens.
3. During this soft period, they are also more susceptible to predators because they lack the hard protection of their former exoskeleton.

All these factors contribute to the significance of the molting process in a crab's life cycle.