European lobster

Presentation

The European lobster is a large decapod crustacean, emblematic of the Atlantic coasts and the Mediterranean. Equipped with a robust shell and two powerful claws, it is one of the most prestigious seafood and represents a major economic importance for coastal fisheries.

The European lobster has an elongated body covered with a brown to bluish chitinous carapace, punctuated with ocher spots. Its first two pairs of legs are transformed into imposing and uneven claws, the left being generally more massive. The compound eyes are located at the base of the long antennae.

Characteristics

Indicative values: they vary by subspecies, sex and region.

Habitat and distribution

The European lobster inhabits the rocky, sandy and silty coastal waters of the Northeast Atlantic and the Mediterranean, between the surface and 100 meters depth, sometimes up to 300 m. It prefers areas with crevices, rocks and uneven bottoms where it can dig burrows and hide.

Behaviour

The European lobster is a primarily nocturnal and solitary animal, hiding in burrows and rock fissures during the day. It is very territorial and aggressive towards its conspecifics, using its pincers to fight. During mating, individuals establish complex dominance hierarchies.

Reproduction

The European lobster reaches sexual maturity between 5 and 7 years of age. After mating, the female lays several thousand eggs which she carries attached under her abdomen for several months. The larvae are released into open water and go through several stages of development before settling on the seabed.

Peculiarities

The European lobster has the remarkable ability to regenerate its legs and antennae if they are lost or damaged. It can also autotomize a pincer to escape from a predator. In addition, it has copper in its blood (hemocyanin) which gives it a bluish tint, unlike the iron in vertebrates.

Threats and conservation

The European lobster faces overfishing, which has significantly reduced its natural stocks in some areas. It is also vulnerable to marine pollution, temperature changes and the destruction of coastal habitats. Despite these pressures, its current status remains stable thanks to stock management and conservation measures.

References

UICN — Liste rouge des espèces menacées

Profile updated 27 August 2026 · Reviewed by the TunisieVet editorial team.