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Lobster

life science Maturity 7-9 Next article →

Lobsters are sea animals with long bodies and strong tails.

Lobsters awaiting purchase, Trenton, ME IMG 2477
Lobsters awaiting purchase, Trenton, ME IMG 2477

They live in holes or cracks on the ocean floor. Most lobsters are dark green or brown. This helps them hide from others. Some lobsters are very rare colors. They can be blue, orange, or even yellow!

Bugre europeu
Bugre europeu

Lobsters have a hard outer shell called an exoskeleton. They must shed this shell to grow. This is a hard task. About 10 to 15 percent of lobsters die from the work. Lobsters also have blue blood. This is because of a metal called copper. They use long antennae to feel things in dark water.

Lobsters can live a long time. Some live up to 50 years in the wild. They stay strong because of an enzyme called telomerase. This helps fix their DNA.

Lobster chips and vegetables typical food in a African beach lodge
Lobster chips and vegetables typical food in a African beach lodge

People enjoy eating lobster. When cooked, the shell turns bright red. This happens because of a chemical called astaxanthin. Heat breaks down other parts of the shell to show this color.

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🖼️ Images & Media (7)
File:Lobsters awaiting purchase, Trenton, ME IMG 2477.JPG
Lobsters awaiting purchase, Trenton, ME...
File:Bugre europeu.jpg
Bugre europeu.jpg
File:Lobster chips and vegetables typical food in a African beach lodge.jpg
Lobster chips and vegetables typical food...
File:Lobster, Crab, and a Cucumber - 1891P32.jpg
Lobster, Crab, and a Cucumber - 1891P32.jpg
The Lobster Pot - a shellfish company...
File:Lobster for sale in Connecticut in salt water tank.jpg
Lobster for sale in Connecticut in salt...
File:Lobster - Maine.jpg
Lobster - Maine.jpg
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