Lobster Claws

July 27, 2023

Question: Is it true that California lobsters don’t have claws?

Answer: Yes, it’s true. The California spiny lobster is a species of lobster that does not have claws. In fact, there are far fewer clawed lobsters than spiny lobsters, says CDFW Environmental Scientist Jenny Hofmeister. Out of all the lobster fisheries in the world, there are only a few that target clawed lobsters. Most lobsters are spiny like the species that live in California. However, as the name suggests, California spiny lobsters are covered in spines. This feature presents its own unique challenge for scientists who work with the species. Scientists don’t have to worry about claws when handling lobsters for conservation purposes, but they do have to watch out for their spines!

California’s spiny lobsters are a rocky reef kelp forest species found mostly off the coast of Southern California in shallow waters to a depth of about 300 feet. For more information watch CDFW’s Introduction to Lobstering video ( ) or visit the department’s recreational lobster fishing web page ( https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Marine/Invertebrates/Lobster ).

July 27, 2023

Question: Is it true that California lobsters don’t have claws?

Answer: Yes, it’s true.

That's all that should have been posted