Crab vs. Lobster: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 16, 2024
Crabs are decapod crustaceans with a short tail and broad, flat bodies, typically walking sideways. Lobsters have long bodies, large claws, and move forwards and backwards.
Key Differences
Crabs are known for their wide, flat bodies and small tail tucked underneath, while lobsters are recognized for their long bodies and large claws. Both are decapod crustaceans but differ significantly in body shape.
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Jan 16, 2024
The movement of crabs is usually sideways due to the structure of their legs, whereas lobsters move forwards and backwards. This difference in locomotion is a distinctive feature between these two sea creatures.
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Jan 16, 2024
Crabs are found in all the world's oceans, in freshwater, and on land, showing greater ecological diversity than lobsters, which are primarily marine creatures living on the ocean floor.
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Jan 16, 2024
The reproductive habits of crabs vary widely, with some species releasing thousands of planktonic larvae, while lobsters typically carry their eggs on their bodies until they hatch, demonstrating different reproductive strategies.
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Jan 16, 2024
In terms of culinary use, crab meat is often considered sweeter and more delicate, whereas lobster is known for its rich, meaty, and slightly sweet flavor. Both are highly valued in culinary traditions around the world.
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Jan 16, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Reproductive Habits
Various, often releasing larvae
Carry eggs on body until hatch
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Crab and Lobster Definitions
Crab
A crab is a crustacean with a broad, flat body and small tail.
The crab scuttled across the beach, its flat body almost hugging the sand.
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Lobster
Lobsters are known for moving forwards and backwards.
The lobster quickly retreated backwards into its hiding spot.
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Crab
Crabs are known for their sideways movement.
The crab moved sideways swiftly to avoid the approaching wave.
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Lobster
Lobsters carry their eggs on their bodies until they hatch.
The female lobster was seen carrying hundreds of eggs under her tail.
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Crab
Crabs have pincers on their front limbs for feeding and defense.
The crab used its pincers to fend off the seagull.
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Lobster
Any of several edible marine decapod crustaceans of the family Nephropidae, especially of the genus Homarus, having stalked eyes, long antennae, a pair of large pincers, and a cylindrical body.
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Crab
Any of various chiefly marine decapod crustaceans of the infraorder Brachyura, having a hard carapace that covers a broad flattened cephalothorax with a small abdomen tucked beneath it, and an anterior pair of legs that are large and pincerlike.
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Crab
Any of various similar decapod crustaceans, such as a hermit crab or a king crab.
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Lobster
A crustacean of the Nephropidae family, dark green or blue-black in colour turning bright red when cooked, with a hard shell and claws, which is used as a seafood.
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Crab
The maneuvering of an aircraft partially into a crosswind to compensate for drift.
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Lobster
A crustacean of the Palinuridae family, pinkish red in colour, with a hard, spiny shell but no claws, which is used as a seafood.
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Lobster
A soldier or officer of the imperial British Army (due to their red or scarlet uniform).
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Lobster
(slang) An Australian twenty dollar note, due to its reddish-orange colour.
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Lobster
Any large macrurous crustacean used as food, esp. those of the genus Homarus; as the American lobster (Homarus Americanus), and the European lobster (Homarus vulgaris). The Norwegian lobster (Nephrops Norvegicus) is similar in form. All these have a pair of large unequal claws. The spiny lobsters of more southern waters, belonging to Palinurus, Panulirus, and allied genera, have no large claws. The fresh-water crayfishes are sometimes called lobsters.
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Lobster
As a term of opprobrium or contempt: A gullible, awkward, bungling, or undesirable person.
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Lobster
Any of several edible marine crustaceans of the families Homaridae and Nephropsidae and Palinuridae
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Lobster
A lobster is a long-bodied marine crustacean with large claws.
The lobster used its large claws to capture its prey.
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Lobster
Lobsters are primarily found on the ocean floor.
Divers often spot lobsters among the rocks on the ocean floor.
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Lobster
Lobster is a sought-after seafood, prized for its rich flavor.
For our anniversary dinner, we had grilled lobster.
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Crab
A crustacean of the infraorder Brachyura, having five pairs of legs, the foremost of which are in the form of claws, and a carapace.
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Crab
An infestation of pubic lice (Pthirus pubis).
Although crabs themselves are an easily treated inconvenience, the patient and his partner(s) clearly run major STD risks.
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Crab
The angle by which an aircraft's nose is pointed upwind of its groundtrack to compensate for crosswinds during an approach to landing; its crab angle.
The pilot had to hold fifteen degrees of crab during the approach to keep her plane from getting blown off the localizer course.
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Crab
The state of an aircraft's nose being pointed upwind of its groundtrack to compensate for crosswinds during an approach to landing.
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Crab
(rowing) A position in rowing where the oar is pushed under the rigger by the force of the water.
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Crab
A defect in an outwardly normal object that may render it inconvenient and troublesome to use.
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Crab
The tree bearing crab apples, which has a dogbane-like bitter bark with medical use.
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Crab
A movable winch or windlass with powerful gearing, used with derricks, etc.
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Crab
A form of windlass, or geared capstan, for hauling ships into dock, etc.
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Crab
(intransitive) To drift or move sideways or to leeward by analogy with the movement of a crab.
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Crab
To move in a manner that involves keeping low and clinging to surfaces.
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Crab
To navigate (an aircraft, e.g. a glider) sideways against an air current in order to maintain a straight-line course.
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Crab
, to fly slightly off the straight-line course towards an enemy aircraft, as the machine guns on early aircraft did not allow firing through the propeller disk.
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Crab
One of the brachyuran Crustacea. They are mostly marine, and usually have a broad, short body, covered with a strong shell or carapace. The abdomen is small and curled up beneath the body.
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Crab
A crab apple; - so named from its harsh taste.
When roasted crabs hiss in the bowl,Then nightly sings the staring owl.
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Crab
A movable winch or windlass with powerful gearing, used with derricks, etc.
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Crab
To make sour or morose; to embitter.
Sickness sours or crabs our nature.
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Crab
Decapod having eyes on short stalks and a broad flattened carapace with a small abdomen folded under the thorax and pincers
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Crab
The fourth sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about June 21 to July 22
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Crab
A stroke of the oar that either misses the water or digs too deeply;
He caught a crab and lost the race
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Crab
Crabs inhabit various environments, including oceans and freshwater.
We found crabs both in the ocean and in the mangrove swamp.
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Crab
Crab meat is considered a delicacy in many cultures.
The crab cakes were a hit at the seafood restaurant.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
How do lobsters move?
Lobsters can move forwards and backwards, thanks to their long bodies and tail.
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Jan 16, 2024
Do crabs walk sideways?
Yes, crabs are known for their characteristic sideways walk.
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Jan 16, 2024
Where can crabs be found?
Crabs are versatile, inhabiting oceans, freshwater, and land.
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Jan 16, 2024
What type of claws do lobsters have?
Lobsters have large claws, one for crushing and one for cutting.
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Jan 16, 2024
What is the habitat of lobsters?
Lobsters are primarily found on the ocean floor.
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Jan 16, 2024
Can crabs live on land?
Yes, some crab species are adapted to live on land.
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Jan 16, 2024
What is the texture of lobster meat?
Lobster meat is known for its rich, meaty texture.
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How do lobsters reproduce?
Female lobsters carry eggs on their bodies until they hatch.
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Jan 16, 2024
What types of crabs are edible?
Many species, like blue crabs and Dungeness crabs, are edible.
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Jan 16, 2024
What distinguishes a crab's body structure?
Crabs have a wide, flat body and a small, tucked-under tail.
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Jan 16, 2024
Is lobster a luxury food?
Yes, lobster is often considered a luxury seafood.
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Jan 16, 2024
Are crabs part of many cuisines?
Yes, crabs are a popular seafood in various global cuisines.
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Jan 16, 2024
Are lobsters active hunters?
Lobsters are scavengers and predators, actively hunting for food.
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Jan 16, 2024
How do crabs defend themselves?
Crabs use their pincers for defense and feeding.
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Jan 16, 2024
Are lobsters good swimmers?
Lobsters are not strong swimmers; they mostly walk on the sea floor.
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Jan 16, 2024
What is the taste of crab meat?
Crab meat is often described as sweet and delicate.
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Can lobsters regenerate limbs?
Lobsters can regenerate lost limbs over time.
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Do all crabs have pincers?
Yes, crabs typically have pincers on their front limbs.
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Jan 16, 2024
How long do lobsters live?
Lobsters can live for many years, even decades, in the wild.
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What is the ecological role of crabs?
Crabs play a key role in marine ecosystems as scavengers and predators.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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