Lobster question

[matt_unique]

I dove Halfway Rock three times this week/weekend. On two dives I spotted the same lobster missing both claws. This was a large lobster - I am guessing a 4-5 pounder if it had claws. Do you guys think this thing could have lost them "naturally" (i.e. fight with another lobster or such)? My first thought was a jerk diver trying to get the thing ended up ripping both claws off. Although I am to understand the large lobsters do not typically release their claws in self defense as smaller bugs do. I wonder if this lobster can survive without any claws? Obviously they use the claws for defense and to break up food.

Unrelated to the lobster but on my night dive Thurs (at Halfway) a seal tugged one of my fins. When I turned around I could not see anything. It was an unmistakable tug and my buddy was not in arms reach. He also confirmed on the boat that he did not grab my fin. We spotted a small seal on the surface at Halfway before we descended.


--Matt

 

[ThatsMe]

the lobsters down here in SC dont have claws

 

[ThatsMe]

did you have to clean out or replace your drawers after the tug? That would be a good time to do a ditch the weights emergency assent!

 

[MSilvia]

That would be a good time to do a ditch the weights emergency assent!

Why? A tug on the fin is hardly an emergency.

Good question about the lobster... I don't know, but I'd guess it would still be able to scavenge easy meals.

 

[scubastew]

Chances are this lobster has been missing its claws for a little while now, so I'd guess it's doing an okay job getting meals, though if a preditor happens to get a beed on it, well we might have a different story. (Run, Forest, Run...) 4-5 pounds is pretty big so he may not get too much trouble from other creatures. hey I'm no scientist (though I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night).

And I'd bet he got the claws pulled off by a diver, which stinks, but I dont/cant believe that anyone intentionally pulls them off (the tail is the best part).

Also, I agree with MSilvia dropping the weight belt should only be the ABSOLUTE last resort. Your weight belt/system is a core peice of (buoyancy) control, being with out it is like not having a steering wheel in your car (and the BCD is like the brakes). Well someone should have a better analogy than might but my point is made.

think twice before you decide to ditch the weights

Though, in agreement with ThatsMe, I would have soiled my undergarments for sure, especially if I turned and saw something big...(one good reason for being a wetsuit diver)...

 

[Spectre]

Anything could really have caused the lobster to loose his claws. If you've ever been grabbed by a lobster, you know they really don't much like to let go. It's very possible that a claw was lost defending itself from a predator or a fight with another lobster. It's also quite possible that the lobster got attacked after a molt, in which case claws are a quick snip off...

They will regenerate the claw; and it's just a matter of surviving until that time. Those claws are for defense and not for eating, so that won't be any sort of issue. If you look you'll see the front legs have little claws; which is what they use to feed.

At 4-5 lbs, I'd say it has a better chance then a smaller lobster, but it's gotta find itself a nice safe place to wiggle into and hide for a long while.

 

[Kennedydive]

You're right larger lobsters tend not to release their claws. They lobster will survive with out claws. It takes a while to grow back so as long as the little bugger can stay away from predators he'll make it.
We have a shipwreck up here that seals often call home. At first they will buzz you like a dive bomber than after they get comfortable with you being there they will grab you're fins and give them a shake. Kinda scary the first time a 800lb seal does it and then swims off with a big smirk on his face.
Jason

 

[matt_unique]

Thanks - yeah this is basically what I thought. I wonder if this bug will survive until the claws grow back?

I double checked a lobster website. Lobsters do not use their claws to stick food into their 'mouth' but they use them to capture food, break shells to get to meat, etc.

When my fin was tugged I thought it was my buddy at first. I was not alarmed or surprised since he was behind me. When I turned my buddy was not in arms reach nor did I see the seal. I did not really think too much about it at the time. When we surfaced I asked my buddy about tugging on my fin and he verified he had not. (This would have been totally uncharacteristic of this buddy as well). I realized that it had to have been the seal. Funny stuff...

--Matt

 

[RonFrank]

They will regenerate the claw; and it's just a matter of surviving until that time. Those claws are for defense and not for eating, so that won't be any sort of issue. If you look you'll see the front legs have little claws; which is what they use to feed.

At 4-5 lbs, I'd say it has a better chance then a smaller lobster, but it's gotta find itself a nice safe place to wiggle into and hide for a long while.

The large claw on the Main Lobster is used for crushing shells of live food, and very much a part of their ability to eat. They perfer live food, however they are very adaptable, and can eat a variety of things, even plants.

Large Lobsters molt once a year, or less. This fellow will not regenerate his claws until he molts. Molting is very hard on Lobsters, so if he survives his next molt, he will likely live to be even older. A *guess* would put this guy in the 25-30 year age range, and it will take him several molts, or several years to regenerate the claws back to the size they once were. :frown:

I would not give this Lobster great odds at surviving without claws to defend itself, and forage for food. Large Lobsters however do NOT have a great number of perdators (humans DEFINATELY #1), so it may make it....

Ron

 

[Green_Manelishi]

the lobsters down here in SC dont have claws

Then it is not a lobster. REAL lobster have claws.