# Lobster (*Homarus americanus*) Lobsters are fascinating creatures found in the ocean. They have hard shells that protect their bodies and strong claws for catching food and defending themselves. - **Category:** [Invertebrate](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/invertebrate) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Marine - **Also known as:** American Lobster, Maine Lobster ![Lobster](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Nur01521_-_Flickr_-_NOAA_Photo_Library.jpg&width=800) Photo: OAR/National Undersea Research Program (NURP)., Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nur01521_-_Flickr_-_NOAA_Photo_Library.jpg) ## Appearance The Lobster has a hard, segmented exoskeleton that ranges from dark blue-green to reddish-brown, often with mottled patterns. It possesses two large, unequal claws—one for crushing and one for cutting—and ten walking legs. Long antennae help it sense its surroundings. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Malacostraca - **Order:** Decapoda - **Family:** Nephropidae - **Genus:** Homarus ## Interesting facts - A female lobster can carry her eggs tucked under her tail for nearly a year before they hatch! - Its brain is located in its throat, which is a very unusual place for an animal's brain! - Lobsters can walk both forwards and backwards, helping them navigate tricky ocean floors! - Lobsters have blue blood because it uses copper, not iron, to carry oxygen through its body! ## Special abilities - **Limb Re-Grower:** Lobster can regrow lost claws or legs over several molts, which helps them survive attacks from predators. - **Crushing Grip:** Lobster has two specialized claws, one for crushing and one for cutting, helping them open hard shells for food. - **Underwater Sniffer:** Lobster has tiny hairs on its legs and antennae that 'taste' chemicals in water, helping find food and mates. - **Shell Shedder:** Lobster sheds its hard exoskeleton to grow bigger, which helps them increase in size throughout their lives. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 50 cm - **Weight:** 1 kg - **Lifespan:** 50 years - **Speed:** 5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 80000 - **Incubation:** 300 days ## Diet & Feeding Lobsters are opportunistic eaters that scavenge the seabed for various small animals and decaying matter. - **Primary Foods:** fish, crabs, clams, mussels, sea urchins, detritus - **Foraging Method:** Scavenging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Atlantic Cod](https://www.snappit.app/explore/atlantic-cod) (*Gadus morhua*) — Adult cod prey on young lobsters in their habitat. - **Eaten by:** Atlantic Wolfish (*Anarhichas lupus*) — Large wolfish are known predators of adult and juvenile lobsters. - **Hunts:** Jonah Crab (*Cancer borealis*) — Lobsters actively hunt crabs, especially smaller or molting individuals. - **Eaten by:** Humans (*Homo sapiens*) — Humans fish for lobsters, making them a popular seafood. ## Traits - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient): Ancient refers to organisms, objects, or geological formations that have existed for an extremely long period. - [Spiky/Thorny](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spiky-thorny): Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Armored](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/armored): Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense. - [Natural](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/natural): Natural refers to organisms, materials, or phenomena existing or produced by nature, not artificially created. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. ## Collections - [Marine Life](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/marine-life) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Avoid touching lobsters in the wild as they can pinch with their claws. Always observe them from a safe distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Lobster? Look for fins, arms, tentacles, shells and body symmetry. Underwater light shifts colors, so structure and markings usually matter more than shade. Sea Creature Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Lobster? 50 cm ### How much does Lobster weigh? 1 kg ### How long does Lobster live? 50 years ### How fast can Lobster move? 5 km/h ### What does Lobster eat? Lobsters are opportunistic eaters that scavenge the seabed for various small animals and decaying matter. ### Where is Lobster usually found? Marine ### How does Lobster hunt? Scavenging ## Where to spot - [Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mystic-aquarium-and-institute-for-exploration) — Connecticut, US · Aquarium - [Heal the Bay Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/heal-the-bay-aquarium) — California, US · Zoo - [Newport Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/newport-aquarium-kentucky) — Kentucky, US · Aquarium - [Maria Mitchell Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/maria-mitchell-aquarium) — Massachusetts, US · Zoo [View all places to see Lobster](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/lobster) ## More Invertebrate - [Coral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coral) - [Crab Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/crab-spider) (*Mecaphesa asperata*) - [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Araneus diadematus*) - [Brown Recluse Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-recluse-spider) (*Loxosceles reclusa*) --- Source: [Lobster: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lobster)