Crabs and lobsters are similar in many ways. For example, they are both crustaceans with scissors. There are also several differences between these two animal species. For example, crabs lay more eggs than lobsters. In addition, the body of a lobster looks different and the legs are positioned differently than that of a crab. This is why they run differently. What are the other differences between these two animal species?
The Differences Between Crabs And Lobsters
To Scratch
Classification
- Scientific name: Brachyura
- Order: Decapoda (Decapods)
- Suborder: Pleocyemata
Lobsters
Classification
- Scientific name: Astacidea
- Order: Decapoda (Decapods)
- Suborder: Pleocyemata
Agreements
Crabs and lobsters are crustaceans with large claws. By means of their claws, they can defend themselves against all kinds of predators that occur in their environment. Both crabs and lobsters generally have larger right claws than left claws.
Both species have ten legs and a sturdy exoskeleton. The cell walls of the exoskeleton contain the building material ‘chitin’. The exoskeleton protects them from both predators and enemy conspecifics. In addition, it offers protection against sharp rocks and corals that can occur in its habitat.
A number of crab and lobster species use camouflage. In addition, there are specimens that have bright colors and thus show that they are poisonous, such as the mosaic crab.
Difference between Crabs and lobsters
Body
Crab
The body of a crab is on average both smaller and flatter than the body of a lobster. He does have a relatively broad body. However, some crab species, such as the Japanese spider crab, can grow huge. Despite crabs being on average smaller than lobsters, the Japanese spider crab is larger in size than the largest lobster species. The body of a crab is round and flat. These animal species move sideways because of the way their legs are attached to its body. Most crabs cannot move forward or backward because of this. The exoskeleton (‘carapace’) of a crab is on average thicker than that of a lobster. This makes it better protected.
Lobster
The body of a lobster is elongated. They can reach a length of about 50 centimeters. On average, they have a larger body size than crabs. These crustaceans can only move forward and backward. The exoskeleton of a lobster is lightweight. This is because it has a thinner exoskeleton than the crab. Despite this, its exoskeleton is robust enough to serve as a defense against all kinds of predators.
Tail
Crab
A crab has a tiny tail hidden under its body. For this reason, crabs are also called ‘short-tailed’. His tail is curled up. The tail of a male is thin and ends at a point. Females have a tail that is rounder.
Cancer
Lobsters have a large tail that is clearly visible. The tip of its tail stands out the most and is also known as the ‘tail fan’. The middle lobe of this is the ‘telson’. The tail fan gives it the ability to swim backward.
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Living Environment for Crabs and lobsters
Crab
Crabs have a very diverse habitat. They are found in both the ocean and freshwater. In addition, they occur in brackish water. Brackish water is water with lower salinity than the sea, namely between salt and fresh water.
Lobster
Lobsters are often found in salt water and have a less diverse habitat than crabs. They are normally only found in the ocean. In some cases, they are found in fresh or brackish water. Lobsters are less likely to be found on the beach, as they can only survive on land for a short period of time.
Number Of Species Crabs and lobsters
Crab
In total there are more than 6,700 crab species. Some of these species have a very exotic appearance. Originally, it was believed by researchers that modern crab species share a common ancestor. By studying the evolution of each species, scientists have found that this is not the case.
Lobster
There are a total of 48 different types of lobster. In general, the different species have many similarities with each other. They can be classified by, among other things, studying their legs and examining whether they have spines. In addition, the species can be distinguished from each other on the basis of the colors and patterns that can be observed on their bodies.
Posterity
Crab
Crabs lay at least five hundred to about two million eggs at a time. They do this spread over several days. The larger a female is, the more eggs she can lay
Lobster
The number of eggs that a lobster can lay is approximately between fifty and several hundred eggs. Like crabs, larger females lay more eggs on average. The eggs are laid over a period of three to five days.
Maximum age Crabs and lobsters
Crab
Crabs reach an average age of 8 to 13 years. In extreme cases, they can reach the age of 40 years. An elderly crab usually dies because it suffocates, it has been above water for too long.
Cancer Cancer
can live many times older than crabs. They can reach an age of about 70 years. They owe this to a certain enzyme called telomerase. In most cases, a lobster eventually dies of fatigue during molting. In addition, a lobster can die when the exoskeleton falls apart due to old age.
