# Long-Living Like Larry (DD-194)

> 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.

- Department: Nature (also Science)
- First published: 2024-01-21
- Last updated: 2024-01-21
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/long-living-like-larry/
- Original Reel title: Long-Living Like Larry 🦞
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-194-F01**: Lobsters keep growing by molting. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Indeterminate growth))_
- **DD-194-F02**: Older lobsters stay fertile. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Still fertile))_

## Write-up

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

1. **Indeterminate growth**: Lobsters keep growing by molting.
2. **Still fertile**: Older lobsters stay fertile.
3. **Telomerase**: They keep producing telomerase.
4. **Not immortal**: Molting gets harder with size.
5. **Long-lived**: They can live for decades.

## Related case files

- [CrabMaxxing (DD-735)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/crabmaxxing/): I linked more crustaceans
- [Largest Crabs on Earth! (DD-190)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/largest-crabs-on-earth/): I linked more giant crustaceans

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: 'Instead of becoming feeble and weak with age': lobsters do eventually die, often because molting becomes too costly or from shell disease.

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

- Duration: 31.2 s · Published: 2024-01-21
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C2Yfe8bJJ2_.mp4

### Transcript

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!

## Questions & answers

**Q: How do lobsters grow?**  
A: Shedding the shell. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Indeterminate growth) · Wikipedia: Lobster)_

**Q: Do old lobsters stay fertile?**  
A: Into old age. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Still fertile) · Wikipedia: Lobster)_

**Q: Which enzyme is linked to lobster longevity?**  
A: Cell repair. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Telomerase) · Wikipedia: Lobster)_

**Q: Why aren't lobsters immortal?**  
A: Energy costs. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Not immortal) · Wikipedia: Lobster)_

**Q: How long can lobsters live?**  
A: Possibly 100. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Long-lived) · Wikipedia: Lobster)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Lobster](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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/