American lobster
Quick Summary
The American lobster (Homarus americanus) is a common marine crustacean found along the northeastern coast of North America. Lobsters are bottom-dwelling, often nocturnal, and belong to the order Decapoda. They possess a rigid exoskeleton, five pairs of legs (some with pincers), compound eyes, and antennae. Their muscular tails aid in backward swimming.12
While often depicted as mating for life, lobsters actually engage in serial monogamy, forming short-term exclusive partnerships. They are commercially important as a food source, with the American lobster being a valuable species caught in lobster pots or by trawling.32
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