Have you seen a lobster? If yes, you might have seen it on the beach or in the market. Right? For those who don’t know what a lobster is, let me tell you what lobsters are. Lobsters are large marine crustaceans with a cylindrical body and have two claws. These little water animals live underwater. Lobsters can walk forward, backward, and sideways, but when they need to move fast, they tuck their tails under their abdomens.
Lobsters are famous in Sweden, Asian countries, and Western countries. If you know Jordan Peterson, you probably know what a lobster is. Jordan Peterson explains in one of his books how the attitude of lobsters is the same with humans when it comes to social hierarchy. This man made lobsters famous.
If you have already seen a lobster and look at its two claws, you are probably wondering why lobsters have two different claws. Well, that is what we will talk about today. Before we get deeper, let me tell you a quick answer on why lobsters have two different claws.
Why do lobsters have two different claws? The reason why lobsters have two different claws is that lobsters need two different claws. Lobsters need it for hunting, fighting, and mating. The big claw of lobsters is called a crusher while the small claw of lobsters is called a pincher. The two claws of lobsters have different power and use.
Today, we will talk about lobsters and their two different claws. You will learn more about lobsters today. I will tell you the broader reason why lobsters have two different claws and answer various questions related to our subject.
Why Do Lobsters Have Two Different Claws?
I asked this kind of question before when I was still young and naive. It was my first time seeing a lobster. My first thought was why lobsters have two different claws similar to humans. I thought that lobsters have their dominant hand. If their left hand is bigger, then their dominant hand is left and if the right is bigger, then their dominant hand is right.
However, what is the main reason why lobsters have two different claws? I already told you the short answer about why lobsters have two different claws above. But let me tell you a broader answer for you to understand why lobsters have two different claws.
The reason why lobsters have two different claws is that they have different uses for each of their claws. Lobsters use their two different claws for hunting, mating, and fighting other lobsters.
The crusher claw of lobsters is considered the dominant and bigger one. It has rounded, molar-like teeth on the outside. Inside, the closer muscle of the crusher claw of lobsters is composed of 100% slow-twitch muscle fiber. This means that the crusher claw is stronger and the endurance is much better.
The other claw of lobsters has lots of names. Some call it a cutter, pincher, or seizure. This claw of lobsters has a serrated edge with great tufts of sensory hairs lining the sharp, pointed teeth. On the inside of this claw, the closer muscle is made up of fast-twitch muscle fibers. Fast-twitch muscle is characterized by rapidity but is not strong enough.
The seizure claw is a fast-twitch that is used by lobsters to grab their prey or enemy, while the crusher claw is for devouring or reducing it to bite-size morsels. Lobsters use their larger claw to crack open shellfish and the pincher to tear out the meat inside of it.
Aside from that, lobsters use their claws in mating. The bigger their crusher claw is, the more attractive male lobsters are to female lobsters. Lastly, the bigger the crusher claw is, the more dominant they are and other lobsters will become scared.
Where Do Lobsters Use Their Two Different Claws?
Lobsters have two different claws. Their claws have different sizes, strengths, endurance, and use. However, if lobsters have two different claws, where do lobsters usually use their claws?
Lobsters use their two different claws in hunting, mating, defending, attacking, and fighting. The big claw of lobsters is used when mating. The bigger their dominant claw is, the more attractive they are to female lobsters. Lobsters use their big claws to kill their prey instantly. Their small claws are used as their backup claws.
Can Lobsters Hurt You With Their Claws?
Yes! The claws of lobsters are painful if they capture you. However, the claws of lobsters are not strong enough to cut off your fingers or arms. But they will surely do an incredible amount of damage if you are dumb enough to get grabbed but chances are your finger will just get dangled. Just stay out of lobsters on the beach if you are afraid of getting hurt by their two different claws.
Final Words
The main reason why lobsters have two different claws is that they need two different claws to survive under the ocean. Lobsters need their big claws to finish their prey fast, attract female lobsters to have a successful mating, and beat their opponent easily. Lobsters need their small claws to back their big claws up.
