The European lobster inhabits the Eastern Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and portions of the Black Sea. It grows to 60 centimeters and weighs 6 kilos. As juveniles, the lobster sheds its hard exoskeleton several times each year through a moulting process. As adults, the pattern of growth decreases and the lobster replaces its exoskeleton once every one or two years. The first segment of a lobster’s body is equipped with two distinct claws. The larger and heavier claw is the crusher and the smooth-edged claw serves as the cutter or holder. The claws take either crusher or cutter form during the early adult stage of life and is dependent on how the lobster uses its claws; they can be right-handed or left-handed. Lobsters have four pair of walking legs and four pair of swimmerets, appendages used for swimming or as a way for the female to carry her eggs.
