Crabs' birds and bees: Effects of crab sex life on

[ArkRescue]

"BALTIMORE, Md. -- It's nearly Valentine's Day. And for humans, love is in the air. But it's a good time to examine how love is in the air for crabs, too, and how their mating affects a Maryland industry.

For blue crabs, it's all about the pheromones in the water. And for female crabs looking for mates, size really does matter. "

Crabs' birds and bees: Effects of crab sex life on Maryland industry - WTOP.com

 

[b23hqb]

"Timing is everything. When the female crab sends out a signal by excreting pheromones into the water, the males show up. The one who impresses her the most will get the chance to mate. But Chung says he's got a very narrow window: The female has to mate when she's ready to shed her hard shell. Then it's up to the male to clutch her in a protective grasp, keeping her safe in her vulnerable state, and mate while she's in her soft-shell state. "

This scientist, and this paragraph made a routine article very interesting.

Sure sounds a lot like mating for, errr... humas as well? Once the dude has impressed her enough, and she drops that defensive shell....

Wonder if Mr Krab from Sponge Bob could use a few pointers.