This is a phenomenal design.
A masterpiece.

Written superbly.
Excellent photo tutorial.
Incredible design details thru out.

Held pink yarn double.
I didn’t work the claws thru the back bump of the chains, rather worked the subsequent stitches thru one side of the chain.
Elected to work the body rows in cont rounds, without ch 1, sl st.
Worked shell with larger hook, body with smaller hook because of the different yarn qualities.