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Lobster

life science Maturity 7-9 Next article →

Lobsters are fascinating sea creatures with long bodies and muscular tails.

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

They belong to a group called crustaceans and live on the ocean floor. You might find them in rocky areas or sandy spots. Most lobsters hide in small cracks or burrows. They are very important to people living near the coast. Many people prize them as a delicious type of seafood.

Lobster for sale in Connecticut in salt water tank
Lobster for sale in Connecticut in salt water tank

How does a lobster grow and move? They have a hard outer shell called an exoskeleton. To get bigger, they must go through a process called moulting. This means they shed their old shell to make room for a new one. This is a very hard job for them. About 10 to 15 percent of lobsters die from the exhaustion of moulting. They also have blue blood because it contains copper.

Bugre europeu
Bugre europeu

People have been eating lobster for a very long time. Historians believe humans have eaten them since early history. In the Roman period, lobster was a popular treat. A mosaic found in Pompeii shows that Romans liked spiny lobsters. During the Viking period, people ate more shellfish as they built better boats. In the Middle Ages, lobster appeared in early French cookbooks.

Lobster, Crab, and a Cucumber - 1891P32
Lobster, Crab, and a Cucumber - 1891P32

There are many interesting facts about lobster life. Most lobsters are bluish-green or greenish-brown to hide. However, rare colors like blue, orange, or yellow do exist. An albino lobster is very rare, appearing only once in 100,000,000. In the wild, lobsters can live up to 50 years. They stay healthy using an enzyme called telomerase to fix their DNA.

Lobster - Maine
Lobster - Maine

If you have ever eaten lobster, you know it turns bright red. This happens because of a chemical called astaxanthin in the shell. When heat is applied, it changes the shell's color.

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

You can find lobster in many dishes like soup or rolls. Some people use crackers to break the hard shell. It is a meal that many people around the world enjoy.

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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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