Lobster Bio

What is the average size of a lobster?

The average weight of a lobster is about 1.25-1.5 lbs. If a lobster is under 1 pound the lobsterman are not allowed to keep it. There have been reports of lobsters growing up to 44 lbs. The maximum legal length of a lobster is 5 inches in carapace length.

http://www.lobsteranywhere.com/maine-lobster/category/lobster101

http://maine-lobster.com/lobster-facts

What is the usual diet of a lobster?

Lobsters are nocturnal animals. The diet of a lobster consists of small fish, crabs, mussels, clams, and sea urchins. Lobsters also scavenge around on the sea floor, which means they will eat dead things and basically eat whatever they can find for food. Lobsters have been known to be cannibalistic and will eat each other often.

http://www.lobster.um.maine.edu/index.php?page=50

How often and why do lobsters molt there shells?

The reason lobsters molt there shells, is so that they can grow. A lobster will molt about 25 times in for about 5-7 years until the lobster has reached its maximum size and cannot grow anymore. The months that lobsters usually molt there shells are June to the end of July. After a lobster molts, it becomes very soft but the lobster will harden over time.

http://www.lobsteranywhere.com/maine-lobster/category/lobster101

What is the mating process of a lobster and when do they mate?

A female lobster can only mate after molting and a male lobster can only mate before molting. After a female molts, she will go searching for the most dominant male she can find. When she finds a male she will release pheromones into the water signaling to the male that she wants to mate. The male will come out of its den with its claws raised. Facing the male lobster, the female will either accept or deny the male. If she accepts she will place her claws on top of the males head signaling she has accepted the male lobster. The female lobster can have up to 10,000-15,000 eggs. Only about 1% of the eggs will survive and become lobsters. The female will carry these eggs for 9 to 11 months. 

http://www.parl.ns.ca/lobster/lifecycle.htm