rarely, if ever, molt again following their mature molt.However, mature females undergoing a second molt have been verified.No data on maximum age of blue crabs is available from the Gulf ofMexico, although it has been estimated to reach a maximum age of 4 years inFlorida and 7-8 years in Chesapeake Bay.Autotomy (voluntary breaking of appendages) and regeneration arecommon in blue crabs. One survey found that 19-25% of blue crabs wereeither missing or regenerating a limb. A functional appendage is formed byregeneration following the next molt, although three molts may be requiredfor 100% limb regeneration....
