Lobsters are a type of crustacean that can be found in many oceans around the world.
They are a popular seafood item and are considered a delicacy in many parts of the world. Lobsters are known for their hard shells and their sweet and succulent meat.
Freshwater and saltwater lobsters exist, although most of us are far more familiar with saltwater lobsters.
But what do lobsters eat?
Where are Saltwater Lobsters Found?
Lobsters live in seas and oceans all around the world from tropical waters in the Caribbean to the freezing arctic ocean.
They are found living under crevices, cracks, and caves on rocky, muddy, or sandy bottoms. They can be found everywhere from beaches to the continental shelf.
The European lobster (Homarus gammarus) is a species of clawed lobster from the eastern Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and parts of the Black Sea. It is closely related to the American lobster, H. americanus which lives off the coast of North America predominantly around New Jersey and Labrador.
Spiny lobsters are found in almost all warm seas, including the Caribbean and the Mediterranean Sea, in coastal waters of Southeast Asia and Australia, and off the coast of South Africa.
Slipper lobsters live in warm oceans around the world. The exact areas in which they live varies depending on the species. They are typically bottom dwellers of the continental shelves, found at depths of up to 500 metres (1,600 ft).
What Do Saltwater Lobsters Eat?
Lobsters are omnivores, feeding on live prey, decaying matter, and plants.
Typical prey includes sea urchins, snails, crabs, sea hares, mussels, and clams. They spend their day hiding and come out at night to feed.
Lobsters are known to eat other lobsters when other food is not available.
Where are Freshwater Lobsters Found?
These animals aren’t true lobsters however, you may see them sold in pet stores as such.
Freshwater lobsters are also known as crayfish, crawfish, crawdads, and other regional names. These animals are found in bodies of fresh water like lakes, streams, ponds, and rivers.
They are most often found in areas with water that is high in calcium, which is necessary for their exoskeleton health, and oxygen.
The White-clawed Crayfish is found from the Balkan Peninsula to Spain and reaches its northerly limit in Great Britain and Ireland, where it also has its greatest population density. The population of White-clawed Crayfish is rapidly declining and once found across most of England and Wales in Great Britain, it is now more or less restricted to central and northern England and eastern Wales.
What Do Freshwater Lobsters Eat?
Like saltwater lobsters, freshwater lobsters are omnivores. They will eat plant matter and scavenge when necessary, too. Freshwater lobsters are known to catch fish and invertebrates alike.