Lifestyles
Posted by Jane Wadden on January 21, 2004
Q: I was sure that the pincers of crayfish grow back when they molt. A friend of mine has a crayfish she got from a river here in Toronto and the pincer has not grown back yet. She asked a biologist who said that lobster legs grow back but not crayfish. I'd really like to know the correct answer. Thanks :)
P.S. I've just discovered this website and think it's absolutely amazing!
A: Crayfish do have a "special" joint on their legs that permits them to drop a leg if it is seized and/or irritated. Once lost, a leg will regenerate over time, gaining in size with each molt. Once a crayfish pincer is lost, however, I haven't found any indication that it can be regenerated. I'll keep looking on this one.
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John Wiessinger ( January 22, 2004)