Noticed something about lobsters today - Dr. Bill?

[shoupart]

Hello Dr. Bill (and everybody else)

Today I did a couple of shallow shore dives in Malibu to snag some last minute lobsters on my 2008 license.

I got 4 and found numerous clickers. Interestingly, they were all out in the open AND many seemed to be recent molts- they were still a little squishy to touch.

What I was curious about is: Is there some mass trigger for moltings? Do lobsters do it together, or do individuals just molt according to their growth rate?

 

[drbill]

Good question. I'm not very knowledgeable about bugs (although I did eat a great one last night here in Georgia). My understanding is that the time to molt is in part a function of feeding but I seem to remember it may also be tied to reproductive state (although it should be too early for that to be a factor). The one I ate last night had definitely not molted recently, but I wasn't sure if it was Caribbean or South African... but it tasted great!

 

[White Knight]

I believe they were trying to molt in between 2008/2009 fishing licenses. Trying to shed the shell before anyone would be set to hunt again. They obviously didn't count on you.