Lobster vs Crab

Both of these marine animals are part of the crustaceans and are well known for their contribution to seafood cuisines worldwide and culture in general. These species are extremely abundant, inhabit every ocean in the world, and play a significant role in the oceanic ecosystem.

Main Differences Between a Lobster and a Crab

• Appearance: The lobster is a long-bodied animal with eight walking legs, two sets of pincers, and a long tail, whereas the crab is typically wider in stature and has eight legs also, but has one pair of claws.
• Size: Both the lobster and crab have a wide range of sizes within their respective family. The crab, however, at its smallest can be millimeters, while at its largest, it can be 12.5 feet in length. The lobster ranges from 55 millimeters to 3.5 feet.
• Habitat: Both animals are found in every ocean on Earth. However, the crab is found in freshwater and on land, whereas the lobster inhabits saltwater mainly.
• Diet: Both lobster and crab are omnivores and have an extremely varied diet. Both are scavengers.

We’ll explore these differences and exciting facts about these two animals below.

Lobster

Appearance 

Lobsters are a type of marine crustacean of the family Nephropidae. The well-known creature is highly regarded within the culinary world due to its elongated body and muscle-filled tails.

The common size range is between 25-50cm or 10-20 inches long. However, some have been seen to reach 3.5 feet, with the smallest species measuring 55 millimeters.

They are eight-legged creatures, which they use for mobility, and they have two sets of claws.

The lobster is a blue-blooded animal. This is caused by the high levels of copper in their blood. They share this trait with various other invertebrates, such as spiders and snails.

Lobsters are a species of invertebrates, meaning that they have an exoskeleton. Due to the rigidity of their thick exoskeleton, in order to grow in size, shedding and subsequent rebuilding of the skeleton occurs. This process does not come without its risks, however, as during this period, the lobster is exposed to outside threats without its ‘shield.’ This period of transformation also included color changes. Normally, they are dark in color, with a typical blueish hue.

Female lobsters are distinguishable from males by their tails. Males have straighter tails, while females’ tails are wider and curved.

Habitat

The lobster tends to locate itself near the ocean floor, finding holes and crevices to call its home. They are found worldwide, occupying every sea and ocean in the world. The reef lobster, for example, occupies rocky reefs in the Indo-pacific region.

They generally search for rocky and sandy areas in which they can shield themselves from the treacherous open ocean.

The lobster moves around in its environment by traversing the ocean floor, normally at a slow speed. It is only when they are under threat that they can reach speeds of up to 11mph, swimming backward.

Diet 

Lobsters are not fussy eaters by any stretch of the imagination. As omnivores, they have varied diets. They ordinarily feast on fish, other crustaceans, mollusks, seaworms, and a variety of marine plant life.

Don’t forget their dark side. As instinctive scavengers, when in captivity and left without food, they won’t hesitate to engage in cannibalism.

Threats 

The obvious threat that faces the lobster is the demand for its meat. As a very profitable commodity, fishermen worldwide seek out the pricey lobster on a daily basis. Traps are set for the lobster on the sea floor.

There has been some controversy surrounding the way in which lobsters are prepared in certain cuisines. Chefs have been known to boil them alive, which has since been banned in areas of Italy and in Switzerland.

If lobsters manage to avoid human intervention, they commonly have a lifespan of 45-50 years in the wild.

Crab

Appearance 

The crab is a type of decapod crustacean. Unlike the lobster, the crab has a small tail that is hidden within its exoskeleton. The vast majority of crab varieties have a rounded abdomen. One of the most common images of a crab people see is that of the king crab, which is also sought after for its taste and flavor.

The range of sizes between the many crab species is extremely wide. at the lower end of the spectrum lies the incredible Pea Crab, which is only a few millimeters long, whereas the humungous Japanese Spider Crab can reach sizes of up to 12.5 feet leg span, or 3.8 meters, from claw to claw.

Female crabs vary from male crabs in their body shape. Females have wider abdomens, while males are more triangular in shape. They both have five pairs of legs.

Habitat

Crabs are found in nearly every type of water body in the world. From oceans to freshwater, and can even be found on land. A great example of this is the rock crab, which is commonly seen on rocks that sit both in the water and on land.

Diet

The theme of variety doesn’t just stop with its habitat. The crab has a broad diet, and this allows them to adapt to many different environments. Like the lobster, the crab is an omnivore and will eat nearly enough of anything it desires, despite feeding mainly on algae species, other crustaceans, worms, mollusks, bacteria, fungi, and plant detritus.

Some species are more selective with what they eat, however, as they will target plankton, fish, clams, and other sea species.

Threats 

Similarly to many crustacean species, and in particular the lobster, the crab is constantly under threat from commercial fishing. An exorbitant 1.5 million tonnes of crab are caught each year in order to supply the demanding seafood trade.

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