Negative phototaxis means they like it dark. Thigmotaxis means they aren’t comfortable unless their bodies are touching something. They dislike each other so much it’s a wonder they ever manage to mate, and they are governed in part by thigmotaxis and in part by negative phototaxis. The trouble is there’s nothing apparent about the life of the lobster. Relish your next lobster, as it may well be your last. Consequently, government scientists have long predicted a population collapse and the demise of the lobster fishing industry. Other desirable critters with this type of population growth pattern and reproduction strategy have to be very carefully regulated or they are doomed. It would seem apparent that few female lobsters can be expected to survive long enough to reproduce.

Lobsters take about seven years to grow to a harvestable size and that’s about when they start breeding. Or at least that’s what government scientists have thought - and with good reason. Might that be the lobster’s fate? It would seem so. Yuppie feeding frenzies have driven other species to the brink of extinction. Yuppie food, in other words.Ĭritters that become food fads generally suffer an unhappy ending. Then canning came along and after that, flash freezing and lobster became the proper fare of every Tom, Dick and Harry with money.

Not so long ago, lobster was considered a kind of junk food suitable only for swine, servants and prisoners.

The secret life of lobsters