Lobsters are resilient marine crustaceans that inhabit the seafloor, often seeking shelter in rocky crevices and burrows. Their bodies are protected by a hard exoskeleton, which serves as a primary defense. Despite this tough outer layer, lobsters are an integral part of the marine food web and serve as a food source for a variety of animals at different life stages, from vulnerable larvae to adulthood.
Major Marine Predators
Many large marine fish actively hunt lobsters, particularly those inhabiting the seafloor. Atlantic cod are known for their powerful jaws, capable of breaking through lobster shells. Haddock also feed on lobsters in North Atlantic regions, and wolffish possess strong jaws and teeth adapted for crushing hard-shelled prey. Other fish such as flounder, sculpins, ocean pout, monkfish, eels, and dogfish opportunistically prey on lobsters. Eels, with their elongated bodies, can navigate rocky crevices, allowing them to target vulnerable lobsters, especially when their shells are soft.
Sharks also include lobsters in their diet, particularly bottom-dwelling species. Tiger sharks can handle the lobster’s hard exoskeleton with their robust teeth. Certain bottom-dwelling sharks, like deepsea cat sharks and houndsharks, have teeth adapted for crushing crustacean shells. Smooth dogfish sharks also consume lobsters. While not a primary food source for all sharks, these opportunistic predators will consume lobsters when available.
Marine mammals like seals prey on lobsters. They use powerful jaws to crush exoskeletons and access the meat. Although seals consume lobsters, studies suggest that crustaceans do not form a major part of the diet for most seal populations.
Coastal and Invertebrate Eaters
Closer to shore, various crab species pose a threat to lobsters. Crabs are known to prey on smaller or molting lobsters, which are particularly vulnerable due to their temporarily soft shells. Larger crabs can use their claws to grasp and crush smaller lobsters.
Lobsters can exhibit cannibalistic behavior, where larger individuals prey on smaller or weaker lobsters. This phenomenon is particularly noted during the molting process, when their new shells are soft and defenseless. Research suggests that factors like warming ocean temperatures and changes in natural predator populations might contribute to increased instances of cannibalism in wild lobster populations.
Coastal birds, such as gulls, may snatch lobsters from shallow waters or scavenge them. Gulls are opportunistic omnivores that consume various items, including crustaceans.
Cephalopods, notably octopuses, are highly skilled predators of lobsters. An octopus typically approaches a lobster with stealth, using camouflage. Once within range, it swiftly envelops the lobster with its eight powerful, suckered arms. The octopus then injects venomous saliva through its beak to paralyze the lobster, using its strong beak to target vulnerable points in the lobster’s armor, such as joints. Octopuses are so adept they can even enter lobster traps.