Lobsters move by slowly walking on the sea floor. However, when they flee, they swim backward quickly by curling and uncurling their abdomen. A speed of 5 m/s (11 mph) has been recorded. This is known as the caridoid escape reaction. They are known to resort to cannibali** in captivity. However, when lobster skin is found in lobster stomachs, this is not necessarily evidence of cannibali** - lobsters eat their shed skin after moulting.

Yabbies like to burrow and often hide out at the bottom of muddy creeks and swamp beds. Yabbies shed their shell to grow bigger, which can take up to 6 hours, depending on their size. During this time they normally fast & stay in hiding. Some may even eat their shell. Yabbies have a life span of only 5 – 7 years under average conditi***, in the wild their life expectancy is much shorter as they are towards the bottom of the food chain and a vast amount of animals c***ume them.  Some of their main predators are insect larvae, fish, eels, turtles, birds and water rats.

Diet

Lobsters are omnivores and typically eat live prey such as fish, mollusks, other crustaceans, worms, and some plant life. They scavenge if necessary, and are known to resort to cannibali** in captivity.

Yabbies are primarily nocturnal detritivores, feeding primarily on algae and plant remains, at night, but also opportunistically feeding on any fish or animal remains they encounter at any time of day.

Human c***umption

Highly prized as seafood, lobsters are economically important, and are often one of the most profitable commodities in coastal areas they populate. Cooks boil or steam live lobsters. The lobster cooks for seven minutes for the first pound and three minutes for each additional pound. Lobster recipes include Lobster Newberg and Lobster Thermidor. Lobster is used in soup, bisque, lobster rolls, and cappon magro. Lobster meat may be dipped in clarified butter, resulting in a sweetened flavour. In North America, the American lobster did not achieve popularity until the mid-19th century, when New Yorkers and Bostonians developed a taste for it. Prior to this time, lobster was c***idered a mark of poverty or as a food for indentured servants or lower members of society.

While less common than prawns and other crustaceans, yabbies are eaten in Australia much like crayfish in other countries. Usually yabbies are boiled and eaten plain or with condiments. Yabbies are also occasionally served at restaurants, where they may be prepared in salads, ravioli, pasta, etc.

Cultural influences

Highly prized as seafood, lobsters are economically important, and are often one of the most profitable commodities in coastal areas they populate.

Yabbies are an important dietary item for Australian native freshwater fish like Murray cod and golden perch.