Lava Crabs may be differentiated from nodes by striking them with a [[Weapons|weapon]]. A Lava Crab will make a knocking sound and a zero damage indicator will pop up when hit with a weapon, while a node will not.
The Lava Crab can only be dealt damage if it is mobile, and not hiding beneath its shell. Strike an immobile Lava Crab with a [[Pickaxes|pickaxe]] to make it mobile again.
Striking a Lava Crab with a [[Pickaxes|pickaxe]] enough times will knock the shell off of its back, and will cause it to flee. Alternatively, setting off a [[Crafting#Bombs|bomb]] near a Lava Crab can remove its shell, and will cause it to flee as well.