These crustaceans have been misnamed for two reasons: First, they’re not true crabs, like blue crabs ... which they protect using the discarded shells of other animals, like whelks.

After molting (note the discarded shell in the background), a black-backed land crab struggles to move its flimsy new exoskeleton The Art of Sausage Making A Rare Look at Tucker Cars National ...

Soft-shell season comes around every spring for about two weeks and happens as Atlantic blue crabs molt out of their hard shells when the water's climate and outdoor temperature is just right.