If you want to bring an air of sophistication and celebration to your dinner table without spending hours in the kitchen, a surf and turf dinner might be the perfect solution.
With the right ingredients and a bit of planning, you can pull off an effortless meal that looks (and tastes!) over the top—and we’ve got just the recipes to show you how.
Lobsters are incredible creatures that have fascinated humans for centuries. Their unique anatomy and ability to regrow limbs have made them the subject of much scientific interest. But just how many legs does a lobster actually have? The answer may surprise you!
The Anatomy of a Lobster
Lobsters belong to the crustacean family and have a hard exoskeleton, antennae, stalked eyes, and five pairs of jointed legs. Their frontmost legs have developed into large, powerful claws used for hunting, fighting, and cracking open shellfish The remaining four pairs are used for walking along the seafloor So in total, lobsters have 8 legs and 2 claws, making 10 appendages. But are the claws technically considered legs too?
Claws Are Legs Too!
According to science, the answer is yes! Lobster claws are modified legs, just like all six legs of insects. So biologists consider lobsters to have 10 total legs, even though only 8 touch the ground for walking.
The front legs evolved into claws over millions of years to help lobsters catch food and defend themselves Each lobster has one crusher claw for cracking hard shells, and one pincer claw for shredding soft meat
So while the claws and legs look and function differently, they’re anatomically the same body part – just adapted for specialized uses. Pretty cool!
Other Fun Facts About Lobster Legs:
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Lobsters can autotomize (self-amputate) and regrow legs when needed. It takes 5 years to regrow a claw.
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Their legs have chemoreceptors to detect food and mates.
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Lobsters use swimmerets on their abdomen to paddle through water.
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Molting allows lobsters to grow bigger legs as they mature.
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Some rare genetic mutations cause lobsters to have abnormal leg counts.
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Claws flex because of rubbery protein, unlike our bones.
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Lobsters walk sideways by coordinating 4 pairs of walking legs.
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Their blood is clear but turns blue when oxygenated.
Not All Lobsters Have 10 Legs
While the common American lobster has 10 legs, there are some exceptions:
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Spiny lobsters lack claws, so they only have 8 walking legs.
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Slipper lobsters have 8 legs total – 6 for walking and 2 claws.
So the leg count can vary between 8-10 depending on the lobster species. The front pair always evolves into claws for hunting and defense.
Why Do Drawings Show 6, 8, or 10 Legs?
Since lobster anatomy can be confusing, illustrations sometimes simplify them with 6, 8, or 10 legs. But these are inaccurate:
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6 legs is wrong – no lobster species has only 6.
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8 legs leaves out the claws, so also inaccurate.
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10 legs is anatomically correct, including claws.
Illustrators may also draw lobsters from memory and get the leg count wrong by accident. So for accuracy, educational materials should always show lobsters with 10 legs – 8 for walking and 2 big front claws.
Legs and Claws Are Key Adaptations
Lobsters’ unique anatomy allows them to thrive on the rocky seafloor. Their walking legs enable them to nimbly scurry around in tidepools and hide in narrow crevices. Meanwhile, their large claws are perfectly designed for hunting, fighting, and creating lobster dominance hierarchies.
So while lobster anatomy may seem strange, every leg and claw serves an important evolutionary purpose. The next time you see a lobster, take a moment to appreciate just how perfectly adapted their 10-legged bodies are for life in the intertidal zone!
In Summary
Most lobsters do indeed have 10 legs total. This includes 8 walking legs plus 2 front claws that act as arms. The claws are biologically still considered legs, just highly adapted for specialized functions like hunting and defense. While drawings sometimes simplify lobsters with 6, 8 or 10 legs, only 10 is anatomically accurate. So remember, lobsters have 10 legs! Their fascinating anatomy allows them to thrive in their ocean environments.
Side Dishes that Pair Perfectly with Dinner
To round out your surf and turf dinner, add a side dish or two that adds a bit of color and freshness to the plate.
Some classic side dishes to pair with surf and turf include:
- Sautéed Mushrooms. Melt down thinly sliced mushrooms in plenty of garlic and butter for a side dish that doubles as a sauce for your steak.
- Grilled Asparagus. Throw thick stalks of asparagus on the grill alongside your shrimp and fillet for an instant splash of brightness with minimal effort.
- Mashed Potatoes. This steakhouse classic is always welcome next to the steak. Add fresh herbs for a lighter touch to compliment your seafood.
- Caesar Salad. Crisp romaine, savory parmesan, and crunchy croutons add a refreshing counterpoint to the feast on your dinner plate.
- Boston Seafood Chowder. We’re always partial to a creamy seafood soup as a first course. Don’t forget the oyster crackers for the full New England experience.
How to Plan a Surf and Turf Menu
To put together a surf and turf menu of your own, start with a bit of planning to make sure your dinner comes together perfectly.
One of the best parts about surf and turf is that you can often cook both the meat and seafood in the same pan, which means less mess. Whether you use a grill, broiler, or stovetop, you can first sear the meat, then quickly cook the seafood while your steak rests.
First, choose your surf and your turf entrees. The most classic surf and turf menus feature red meat, often steak. However, if you’re not a fan or don’t eat red meat, you can certainly substitute steak for some chicken or pork.
| If you want to stand out even more, put your own spin on turf entree with a unique protein like lamb or duck. There really are no rules, so now’s your time to experiment in the kitchen! |
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Likewise, for the surf side of things, you have plenty of options. The most classic and extravagant surf and turf plates feature a bold red lobster, either whole or just the tail. Sometimes the tail is stuffed for added visual and flavor appeal. Other surf options include succulent shrimp, seared scallops, crab cakes, or your favorite fish fillet.
Finally, round out your surf and turf menu with one or two side dishes. These don’t have to be complicated or overdone. The meat and seafood are the stars of the show, so the sides are the supporting actors there to help the proteins shine. See below for the best side dish ideas to pair with your surf and turf.
Strange Organ Inside a Lobster!! – LOBSTER Dissection
FAQ
Do lobsters have 10 legs?
Hence, you will note the lobster has jointed appendages…and since lobsters are also decapods (“deca” being Greek for ten) it has ten legs (five pairs). As invertebrate crustaceans, lobsters also have a hard outer shell or exoskeleton, and no inner skeleton or bones.
Does a crab have 10 legs?
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Facebook · National Aquariumhttps://www.facebook.comNational Aquarium – All crabs have 10 legs. The first pair of … – FacebookJun 11, 2019 — National Aquarium – All crabs have 10 legs. The first pair of legs has sharp claws used to hold and capture food. Usually, the next four pairs of le…
What sea animal has 10 legs?
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Britannicahttps://www.britannica.comDecapod | Anatomy, Classification & Adaptations – BritannicaApr 7, 2025 — decapod, (order Decapoda), any of more than 8,000 species of crustaceans (phylum Arthropoda) that include shrimp, lobsters, crayfish, hermit crabs, a…
How many legs does a Maine lobster have?
Legs & Claws
Lobsters have 8 walking legs and two claws: one pincer claw and one crusher claw. The crusher claw is larger and is used to crush prey; while the pincer (or cutter) claw is used to cut prey up. Learn how to crack a cooked lobster here.