Lobster
Lobsters reproduce sexually. In order to do this, initially, females will molt their shell seasonally when they are prepared to mate. As a result, they release pheromones into the water to signal potential companions. Once the female releases her pheromones, all male lobsters who respond will compete in an underwater fistfight til one dominant mate arises. The male who wins will take his female mate to a secret cave to protect her from predators. During this time period, she is especially susceptible to predators because molting her shell has made her more unnaturally vulnerable in her environment. In the cave the male begins to have sexual reproduction with the female when he puts a pair of pleodods into the female's stomach. At the discretion of the female, she releases her eggs that meet with the sperm the male released from his pleodods.
The female lobster carries the eggs inside for 9-12 months and then for another 9-12 months while attached to the swimmerets under her tail by a natural adhesive substance. When they hatch the mother releases them by fanning her swimmerets.After this, the female will replace her molted shell with a new shell.
Lobsters reproduce sexually. In order to do this, initially, females will molt their shell seasonally when they are prepared to mate. As a result, they release pheromones into the water to signal potential companions. Once the female releases her pheromones, all male lobsters who respond will compete in an underwater fistfight til one dominant mate arises. The male who wins will take his female mate to a secret cave to protect her from predators. During this time period, she is especially susceptible to predators because molting her shell has made her more unnaturally vulnerable in her environment. In the cave the male begins to have sexual reproduction with the female when he puts a pair of pleodods into the female's stomach. At the discretion of the female, she releases her eggs that meet with the sperm the male released from his pleodods.
The female lobster carries the eggs inside for 9-12 months and then for another 9-12 months while attached to the swimmerets under her tail by a natural adhesive substance. When they hatch the mother releases them by fanning her swimmerets.After this, the female will replace her molted shell with a new shell.
![Picture](/uploads/5/1/9/7/51979199/7862816_orig.jpg)
IMAGE A: The ovaries of a female american lobster are shown in this picture. They are formed in the shape of the the letter "H" which is a common way to distinguish the ovaries of a female lobster. These tend to be found directly below the heart of the lobster.
IMAGE B: The testes of a male american lobster are shown in this picture. One might notice how they form more of a "T" shape, which tends to be the case for testes. However, they can also have a "H" shape, similar to how all ovaries are shaped. These structures, similar to that of ovaries, tend to be found directly below the heart of the lobster.