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The Fascinating World of Lobsters

Lobsters are truly captivating creatures that have been intriguing humans for centuries. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most interesting facts about two of the most popular lobster species – the American lobster and the European lobster.

The American Lobster – A True North American Icon

The American lobster (Homarus americanus) is a quintessential part of North American cuisine and culture. These crustaceans are most commonly found along the Atlantic coast of North America from Labrador Canada down to New Jersey, USA. The American lobster can grow up to an impressive 20 kilograms (44 lb) in weight, making it the heaviest crustacean species in the world!

American lobsters have a greenish-brown coloration with red tones and spines coming off their body. Their most distinctive feature are their large, asymmetric claws – one crusher and one cutter. The crusher claw has blunt nodules for crushing prey, while the cutter claw has sharp inner edges for tearing. The lobster’s brain determines whether it will be left or right handed, which claw will be the crusher and which the cutter!

These lobsters thrive in the cold, shallow waters of the northwest Atlantic Ocean. Here they hide among the rocky seabed and reefs, waiting to ambush their prey which includes mollusks like clams and mussels, other crustaceans, echinoderms and polychaete worms. Their natural camouflage helps them blend into their surroundings and avoid larger predators.

The life cycle of the American lobster begins with the female laying up to 100000 eggs which attach to her pleopods. After hatching the larvae undergo several molts before reaching maturity. At this point, their diet shifts more towards muscle, allowing them to grow quite large. Some American lobsters have been documented living over 100 years!

The European Lobster – A Close Cousin

The European lobster (Homarus gammarus) is very closely related to the American lobster. In fact, these two species are so similar they can hybridize, although this rarely happens in the wild since their ranges don’t overlap. The European lobster is found along the coasts of Europe and North Africa, from Norway down to Morocco.

Like its American cousin, the European lobster has a greenish-brown coloration. It too lives among rocky reefs near the shore, feeds on similar prey and can grow to an impressive size. The main differences between the two species are:

• The European lobster lacks the spines on the underside of the rostrum which are present on the American lobster

• The claws of the European lobster have white coloration instead of red

• The underside shell of the European lobster claws are pale compared to the vivid orange/red hue of the American

• The two species have slightly different DNA and pheromones

Lobsters – A Valued Seafood Delicacy

Both American and European lobsters are highly desired by chefs and seafood lovers across the world. Their sweet, rich meat has made lobster an extremely valuable commodity. Live lobsters are often shipped thousands of miles from where they are caught to eager consumers.

The American lobster supports a massive fishing industry worth over $2 billion annually. Lobstermen use traps to catch the creatures alive and ship them to markets. Strict fishing regulations help prevent overexploitation of lobster populations. There are even laws about the minimum and maximum size of lobsters that can be kept, ensuring juveniles and breeding adults are protected.

Lobsters are most commonly prepared by boiling or steaming them alive. This quickly kills the lobster and coagulates its proteins, making the meat firm and easy to extract. Many people enjoy dipping the flavorful meat in butter or lemon juice. The claws, tails and legs contain the most substantial chunks of meat, but some also like to eat the greenish tomalley hepatopancreas which filters impurities from the lobster’s body.

Lobster is cherished for its subtly sweet taste and unique texture. Though some find the preparation methods controversial, these fascinating crustaceans will continue to be a desirable delicacy for the foreseeable future. They are truly captivating creatures!