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Long-Living Like Larry

Short answer: Lobsters show indeterminate growth: they keep growing throughout life by molting their exoskeleton. Older lobsters remain fertile and don't show obvious signs of aging in the usual ways, partly because they keep producing telomerase, an enzyme linked to cell repair.

Lobsters aren't immortal, though. Each molt takes more energy as they get bigger, and many old lobsters die from exhaustion during molting or from shell disease. American lobsters are estimated to live for decades, possibly 100 years. The footage shows lobsters on the seabed and in aquariums, with the presenter.

VideoWrite-up1 sources
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What should you know about Long-Living Like Larry?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Lobsters keep growing by molting.

    DD-194-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Indeterminate growth)

  2. Older lobsters stay fertile.

    DD-194-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Still fertile)

Video transcript: Long-Living Like Larry: Lobsters Keep Growing and Reproducing as They Age

Lobsters have an astonishing feature linked to their age. Instead of becoming feeble and weak with age, and continue reproducing throughout their lives, this unique characteristic has led to lobsters symbolizing longevity and resilience in various cultures. Unlike many other living beings, lobsters exhibit a phenomenon called indeterminate growth. This means that, theoretically, they could keep growing larger throughout their lives. The tough exoskeleton that protects them doesn't limit their growth as it molts periodically, allowing the lobster to increase in size. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 31.2s Reel ·

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Long-Living Like Larry: Lobsters Keep Growing and Reproducing as They Age Instagram Reel · · 31.2s

The write-up

Lobsters keep growing and reproducing as they age. But they're not immortal: molting gets harder as they grow.

  1. Exhibit A

    Indeterminate growth

    Lobsters keep growing by molting.

  2. Exhibit B

    Still fertile

    Older lobsters stay fertile.

  3. Exhibit C

    Telomerase

    They keep producing telomerase.

  4. Exhibit D

    Not immortal

    Molting gets harder with size.

  5. Exhibit E

    Long-lived

    They can live for decades.

Questions people ask about Long-Living Like Larry

How do lobsters grow?

Shedding the shell.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Indeterminate growth) · Wikipedia: Lobster

Do old lobsters stay fertile?

Into old age.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Still fertile) · Wikipedia: Lobster

Which enzyme is linked to lobster longevity?

Cell repair.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Telomerase) · Wikipedia: Lobster

Why aren't lobsters immortal?

Energy costs.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Not immortal) · Wikipedia: Lobster

How long can lobsters live?

Possibly 100.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Long-lived) · Wikipedia: Lobster

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. How do lobsters grow?

    1. By molting
    2. They don't
    3. By splitting
    4. By hibernating
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. By molting Shedding the shell. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Indeterminate growth) · Wikipedia: Lobster

  2. Do old lobsters stay fertile?

    1. Yes
    2. No
    3. Only males
    4. Only in captivity
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Yes Into old age. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Still fertile) · Wikipedia: Lobster

  3. Which enzyme is linked to lobster longevity?

    1. Telomerase
    2. Amylase
    3. Lactase
    4. Pepsin
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Telomerase Cell repair. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Telomerase) · Wikipedia: Lobster

  4. Why aren't lobsters immortal?

    1. Molting gets harder
    2. They are
    3. They stop eating
    4. Their eyes fail first
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Molting gets harder Energy costs. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Not immortal) · Wikipedia: Lobster

  5. How long can lobsters live?

    1. Decades
    2. One year
    3. A week
    4. 1,000 years
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Decades Possibly 100. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Long-lived) · Wikipedia: Lobster

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Long-Living Like Larry." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-194, last updated Jan 21, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/long-living-like-larry/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/long-living-like-larry/ · Last updated

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