American Lobster

ocean · crustaceans · Atlantic coast · super strong

Heaviest crustacean ever. American lobsters are the biggest and heaviest crustaceans in the world, and they're also the heaviest arthropods of all. Some can grow to 25 inches long and weigh over 44 pounds, which is about as heavy as a large dog.

Atlantic coast home. These lobsters live in the cold waters along the Atlantic coast of North America, from Labrador all the way down to New Jersey. They're found in places like Maine, where they're super important to fishermen and restaurants.

Colorful and spiky. Most American lobsters are bluish-green or brown with red spines covering their bodies, but some have unusual colors like bright blue, yellow, or even white. These spikes help protect them from other sea creatures.

Close European cousin. The American lobster's nearest relative is the European lobster, which looks similar but has different colors and lacks spines on the underside of its nose-like part called the rostrum.