Do lobsters feel pain?

Scientists debate whether lobsters feel pain as humans do. Lobsters have a simple nervous system without a brain comparable to vertebrates. However, they do have nerve clusters and react to harmful stimuli. Many jurisdictions now require humane killing methods before cooking lobsters.

Why do lobsters turn red when cooked?

Live lobsters contain multiple pigment proteins including red astaxanthin bound to other proteins. Heat from cooking destroys all proteins except the red pigment, which becomes visible. This is why lobsters of any living color turn bright red when boiled. The chemical change is irreversible.

Are lobsters immortal?

Lobsters are not truly immortal but show unusual aging resistance. They do not weaken with age, maintain fertility, and continue growing throughout life. However, lobsters eventually die from molting exhaustion, disease, or predation. Their unique biology has made them subjects of aging research.

What do lobsters eat?

Lobsters are carnivorous scavengers that eat fish, mollusks, worms, sea urchins, and other crustaceans. They also consume dead and decaying matter. Lobsters hunt at night using their sense of smell. They occasionally eat plants but prefer animal protein. Lobsters sometimes practice cannibalism.

Why is lobster blood blue?

Lobster blood is blue because it contains hemocyanin, a copper based molecule that carries oxygen. When exposed to oxygen, hemocyanin turns blue. This differs from human blood which uses iron based hemoglobin that appears red. Many arthropods and mollusks have blue copper based blood.

Can lobsters regenerate claws?

Yes, lobsters can regenerate lost claws and other limbs. When a lobster loses a claw, a small claw bud begins growing at the injury site. With each molt, the new claw grows larger. Complete regeneration takes several molts over multiple years. Regenerated claws are fully functional.

Where do lobsters live?

Lobsters inhabit ocean floors from shallow coastal waters to depths of 1,500 feet. American lobsters prefer cold North Atlantic waters. Spiny lobsters live in warmer tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide. Lobsters hide in rocky crevices and burrows, emerging at night to hunt.

Lobster Facts: Lifespan, Biology & Ocean Habitat

Explore the fascinating biology of these ocean dwellers

Lobsters can live over 100 years and never stop growing throughout their lives. Discover lobster biology, molting, unusual blue blood, and ocean habitats.

Key Facts

Scientific Family

Nephropidae

Species Count

About 49 species

Lifespan

50 to 100+ years

Weight

1 to 15+ lbs (0.5 to 7+ kg)

Length

10 to 20 inches (25 to 50 cm)

Diet

Carnivore (fish, mollusks, worms)

Blood Color

Blue (copper based)

Growth Pattern

Continuous throughout life

Molting Frequency

20+ times in first 5 years

Walking Legs

8 legs plus 2 claws

Heart Location

Behind the head

Habitat Depth

Surface to 1,500 feet deep

Quick Stats

Attribute	Value
Scientific Family	Nephropidae
Average Lifespan	50+ years
Longest Recorded Lifespan	Over 100 years
Heaviest Recorded	44.4 lbs (20.1 kg)
Typical Adult Weight	1 to 5 lbs
Maximum Depth	Up to 1,500 feet (480 m)
Eggs Per Female	5,000 to 100,000
Incubation Period	9 to 11 months
Conservation Status	Varies by species

About Lobster Facts: Lifespan, Biology & Ocean Habitat

Lobsters never stop growing throughout their lives and can live for over a century. These remarkable marine crustaceans possess unusual blue blood, powerful claws, and the ability to regenerate lost limbs.

Why They Never Stop Growing

Lobsters never stop growing throughout their entire lives, a phenomenon called indeterminate growth. To grow lobsters must periodically shed their hard exoskeletons in a process called molting. Young lobsters molt frequently up to twenty five times in their first five years.

How They Regenerate Lost Claws

Lobsters can regenerate lost limbs during molting. If a lobster loses a claw to a predator or fight, a new claw begins growing at the next molt. Full regeneration may take several molts over multiple years.

Why Their Blood Is Blue

Lobsters have blue blood because it contains hemocyanin, a copper based molecule that transports oxygen. This differs from human blood which uses iron based hemoglobin. Their hearts are located dorsally behind their heads.

How They Live One Hundred Forty Years

Lobsters can live for many decades with some individuals exceeding one hundred years. The oldest lobster ever caught was estimated at one hundred forty years old though this age is debated. Lobsters show no signs of typical aging seen in other animals.

Why Females Carry One Hundred Thousand Eggs

Lobster reproduction involves elaborate courtship and timing around the female's molting cycle. Females can only mate immediately after molting when their shells are still soft. After mating females carry fertilized eggs under their tails for nine to eleven months.

How They Squirt Urine From Their Eyes

Lobsters inhabit rocky coastal ocean floors from the intertidal zone to depths of one thousand five hundred feet. Lobsters are nocturnal and spend days hiding in rocky crevices or burrows. At night they emerge to hunt for food.

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Did You Know?

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Lobsters can live over 100 years and never stop growing throughout their entire lives

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Lobster blood is blue because it contains copper based hemocyanin instead of iron based hemoglobin

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Lobsters were once so abundant they were fed to prisoners and used as fertilizer in colonial America

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Female lobsters can carry up to 100,000 eggs under their tails for 9 to 11 months before hatching

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Lobsters can regenerate lost claws and legs, with full regrowth taking several years and multiple molts

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The heaviest lobster ever caught weighed 44.4 pounds and was estimated to be over 100 years old

Frequently Asked Questions

Lobsters can live 50 to 100 years or more in the wild. The oldest lobster ever caught was estimated at 140 years old. Determining exact ages is difficult because lobsters shed their shells, removing growth rings. Lobsters show minimal signs of aging and maintain fertility throughout life.