Diners at a restaurant in China witness a crayfish's cunning escape after it tears off its own claw

A crayfish has made a desperate attempt to avoid being served to a group of diners by severing its own claw to escape.

The crustacean was seen clinging for its life on the edge of a hotpot at a restaurant in China, before trying to make a break for it.

In footage viewed more than a million times, the crayfish climbs out of the pot while one of its claws remains caught.

Then in a final bid for freedom, the crustacean tears itself free with the aid of its right claw.

The 11-second video first surfaced on Chinese platform Weibo, where users left comments in support of the crayfish.

Juike, who originally posted the video, later revealed to Taiwan News that he adopted the crayfish as a pet.

"I let him live," he said.

"I already took him home and am raising him in an aquarium."

While some users were concerned the crayfish will have to live without one claw, marine experts say they are able to grow limbs back.