Posted by Do you know the size of a lobster? A good question! Most people have no idea, but one knowledgeable old timer that comes around all the time will tell you that a lobster, like a giant cockatoo or a purple Martin, is not something most people can eat. For that kind of size, it’s best just to leave it alone, but when in your mind you’ve got ideas of how you’re going to fit a lobster in your mouth, here are some things to keep in mind before you decide to shellfish this magnificent creature. Remember, these aren’t edible so don’t feed them to your family.
Lobster lobsters can live up to 400 pounds (average) and have an expected life expectancy of only about ten years. Although they are extremely social by nature, lobsters can be aggressive if they feel threatened, so you should never attempt to feed them anything; your local seafood shop is the place to go for information on what to cook with lobsters and where. However, lobsters do make excellent pets, as long as you buy them from a reputable breeder or pet store. There are many reputable breeders out there, so be sure to check them out before buying a litter.
The next question you might ask yourself is, “How many lobster lobsters do I need?” Well, the answer varies depending on how many lobsters you plan to get. If you’re planning on selling them at a pet store or to a friend or family member, you’ll obviously want more than one; if you’re just going to raise them yourself, you’ll probably want a few extra to freeze for future use.
When you’re feeding them, you’ll also want to pay close attention to their size; too big a lobster may not be a healthy choice. Larger lobsters can eat quite a bit and develop bloat, which is when the food inside them spills out all over the tank, causing the water to get too bad and killing the fish in the tank. You’ll also want to pay close attention to their gills. Lobsters with gills that hang down and away from the body don’t always have good breathing air, so this is something to look into if you plan on raising more than one.
One thing you can do to figure out how many legs a lobster has been to pinch its head. Hold it between your two fingers, then touch it. If it moves, that’s an indication of three legs. If it doesn’t move, however, you can’t get a clear finger impression, so you’ll have to assume two legs. This isn’t foolproof, but it’s an easy way to determine the age of the lobsters, as well as how they might be sold.
If you’re raising baby lobsters, this may be easier. Bab lobsters grow very slowly, up to a year or two. To find out how many legs a lobster has before breeding, insert the end of its tail into a jar of water and keep watching. Over time, you’ll be able to see a number on the end of the tail. Baby lobsters usually only have one or two tail segments.