Lobsters undergo a growth process known as "molting." In this process, a lobster absorbs extra water, creating internal pressure that results in the splitting of its shell. The lobster subsequently frees itself by shedding its old outer shell, revealing a fresh, pliable exoskeleton. #lobster #molt #shed #crustacean #maine #intresting #unique #perfecttiming #education #commercialfishing #mainer #boat #boatlife #fisherman #lobsterfishing #cool #discover #newengland #ocean | The Downeast Cowboy

Let’s watch the full process of a lobster molting. At first, people thought it would start from the tail, but as time passed, it surprisingly broke free from its head first, completing a rebirth-like transformation—truly breathtaking. Crabs molt too, because their shells are made of chitin, a rigid armor that can’t expand as they grow. When the body reaches its limit, they must shed the shell to keep growing. Surprisingly, a crab sheds all its legs along with the shell, putting on a new “coat” l

Another lobster is molting in our lab! It's absolutely incredible to watch. (This video is sped up 400x so you can see the whole process.) | Gulf of Maine Research Institute