The stuffed Japanese spider crab toy is seen in this photo provided by Enoshima Aquarium. The old shell, above, can also be used as a bag.

       FUJISAWA, Kanagawa -- An aquarium here has apparently fished up a sales hit with its stuffed giant Japanese spider crab toys that can shed their shells just like the real animals.

       The crab toy was launched by Enoshima Aquarium in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, in collaboration with mail-order company Felissimo Corp., headquartered in Kobe. The stuffed crustacean simulates how the Japanese spider crabs, one of the world's largest arthropods, shed their old shells as they grow, and customers have called it "more educational than what you seen in picture books."

       The double-layered toy is made up of a hard outer shell with a zippered opening along its bottom, and a slightly larger soft-shell crab inside.

       The shapes of crab's leg joints and shell were recreated authentically under the supervision of the aquarium's staff. Despite its 6,380-yen price (about $56), the aquarium says there has been a spate of orders because Japanese spider crab-themed toys are such a rarity, and can be an educational gift for people's children and grandchildren. The toy is available at the aquarium as well as at its online store at: https://item.rakuten.co.jp/enoshima-aquarium/4549725292322/

       (Japanese original by Kenetsu Inaba, Kamakura Local Bureau)

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