What Are Female Lobsters Called And How To Identify One?

Female lobsters are called hens. This is the standard term used by fishermen, seafood dealers, and marine biologists. A female lobster is easy to tell apart from a male once you know what to look for, and the differences are visible on the underside of the animal.

What Are Female Lobsters Called And How To Identify One?

The word “hen” is the accepted name for a female lobster. Male lobsters are called “cocks.” These terms are not slang. They are the standard names used across the fishing industry and in scientific literature.

You can identify a female lobster by flipping it over and looking at the swimmerets. Swimmerets are the small, feathery legs located under the tail. In a female, the first pair of swimmerets is soft, thin, and flexible. In a male, the first pair is hard, thick, and bone-like. This is the most reliable way to tell the difference.

Another sign is the width of the tail. Females have wider tails than males of the same size. The wider tail provides space to carry eggs. A female carrying eggs is called a “berried” lobster because the eggs look like small berries attached to her tail.

Why Does The Sex Of A Lobster Matter?

Sex matters for several practical reasons. In many regions, catching berried females is illegal. These females are protected by law to help maintain the lobster population. If you catch a berried lobster, you must return it to the water immediately.

Sex also affects taste and meat quality. Many people believe female lobsters have sweeter, more tender meat. This is partly because females invest energy in egg production. The meat in the tail and claws is still similar in quantity, but the flavor can differ slightly.

The roe, or eggs, of a female lobster is considered a delicacy. When cooked, the roe turns a bright red-orange color. Some people describe it as rich and slightly sweet. If you order a whole lobster in a restaurant and see red roe, you know it is a female.

Physical Differences Between Male And Female Lobsters

The most obvious difference is in the first pair of swimmerets. In males, these are hard, calcified, and feel like small bones. In females, they are soft, feathery, and flexible. This difference is present in adult lobsters and is easy to see with the naked eye.

Females also have a wider carapace, which is the hard shell covering the body. The wider shell accommodates the eggs during the breeding season. Males tend to have larger claws relative to their body size. This is because males use their claws for fighting and mating displays.

A mature female lobster that has mated will carry sperm for months before fertilizing her eggs. She can store sperm and use it when conditions are right. This is why a female may produce eggs long after her last encounter with a male.

Life Cycle And Reproduction

Female lobsters reach sexual maturity at different ages depending on water temperature. In warmer waters, they mature faster. In colder waters, it can take longer. Most females are mature by the time they reach a carapace length of about three and a half inches.

Mating happens shortly after the female molts. When she sheds her old shell, her new shell is soft. The male takes this opportunity to mate with her. After mating, the female carries the sperm until she is ready to release her eggs.

A single female can carry thousands of eggs. The eggs are attached to her swimmerets and stay there for up to a year. During this time, she fans the eggs with her tail to keep them clean and oxygenated. When the eggs hatch, the larvae float in the water column before settling to the ocean floor.

How To Tell If A Lobster Is Berried

A berried lobster is easy to identify. Look at the underside of the tail. The eggs are small, dark, and clustered together. They look like a mass of tiny berries. Before cooking, the eggs are usually dark green or black. After cooking, they turn bright red.

If you catch a berried lobster, release it. This is not just a suggestion. It is the law in most lobster fishing areas. The protection of berried females is one of the main reasons lobster populations remain stable in many regions.

In some places, there are additional rules. Some regions require fishermen to notch the tail of a berried female before releasing her. The notch is a V-shaped cut in the tail. This marks her as a breeding female, and she is protected for the rest of her life even when she is not carrying eggs.

Does Sex Affect Lobster Size?

Male lobsters tend to grow larger than females. This is true in most lobster species. Males need larger bodies to compete for mates. The largest lobsters ever recorded have been males.

Females stop growing as quickly once they reach maturity. This is because they direct energy into egg production instead of growth. A large female is still impressive, but the record-breaking giants are almost always male.

Size also affects meat yield. A larger lobster has more meat, but the meat-to-shell ratio stays similar. Some chefs prefer females because the roe adds an extra element to the dish. Others prefer males because the claws are larger and meatier.

Are There Other Names For Female Lobsters?

In different regions, you may hear other terms. In some parts of Canada, a female lobster is called a “hen” just like in the United States. In the United Kingdom, the terms “hen” and “cock” are also used. These are the most common names.

Some people use the term “pullet” for a young female lobster. This is less common but still used in some fishing communities. A pullet is a female that has not yet reached full maturity.

There is no scientific name that distinguishes male from female lobsters. The species name is the same regardless of sex. The terms “hen” and “cock” are practical labels used in the industry, not biological classifications.

Common Myths About Female Lobsters

One common myth is that female lobsters taste better than males. There is no scientific evidence to support this. Taste is subjective, and many people cannot tell the difference in a blind test. The presence of roe can change the flavor of the dish, but the meat itself is similar.

Another myth is that female lobsters are more aggressive. This is not true. Aggression in lobsters is related to individual temperament and territory, not sex. Both males and females can be aggressive when threatened.

Some people believe that a female lobster with eggs is unsafe to eat. This is false. Berried lobsters are safe to eat, but they are protected by law in most areas. The eggs are edible and considered a delicacy in many cultures.

Why Identifying Sex Matters For Conservation

Knowing how to identify a female lobster is not just a party trick. It is a conservation tool. Fishermen use this knowledge every day to protect breeding females. Without this protection, lobster populations would decline.

Lobsters are a valuable commercial resource. In the United States, the lobster fishery is one of the most valuable in the country. The rules protecting berried females are a key part of keeping this fishery sustainable.

Consumers can also play a role. If you buy a whole lobster and see eggs, you know it is a female. Some people choose to avoid buying berried lobsters to support conservation efforts. Others see it as a bonus because of the roe.

Understanding the biology of lobsters makes you a more informed consumer. You know what you are buying, where it comes from, and why certain rules exist. This knowledge also helps you appreciate the complexity of these animals.