A crayfish tore off its own claw to avoid being cooked in a steaming hotpot at a restaurant in eastern China.

In the clip, shot in Suzhou City in Anhui Province on May 20, the crayfish clings to the edge of a pot and snaps loose its own claw to free itself.

According to reports, the crayfish was then adopted by the diner.

At the end of the video, the lucky crayfish can be seen in a tank, safe and sound - albeit minus a claw.