Here's why:
* Survival Rates: Crab eggs have a low survival rate due to predation, environmental conditions, and other factors. Releasing a large number of eggs increases the chances of at least some surviving to adulthood.
* Species Variation: The number of eggs released varies greatly between species. For example, some small shore crabs release only a few hundred, while larger crabs like blue crabs can release millions.
So, crabs are definitely not stingy with their eggs! They lay a lot to ensure the continuation of their species.