Can you tell the age of a lobster by the size of its claws?

While the size of a lobster's claw can be an indication of its age, there is no direct correlation as there are other factors that can affect a lobster's claw size. Lobsters have the ability to regenerate their claws, so a large claw doesn't necessarily mean an old lobster.

A lobster's age can be estimated by its size if it is caught in a known area with a known breeding and molting cycle, but even then, it can only provide an educated guess as opposed to an accurate measurement. In general, a lobster's age can be estimated by its weight and length, with heavier and longer lobsters typically being older.

However, determining a lobster's age is difficult and uncertain because lobsters grow by molting, which means they shed their shells and grow a new one. How often a lobster molts depends on various factors, including water temperature and food availability, making it difficult to determine a lobster's exact age.

In conclusion, while the size of a lobster's claw can be used as a rough estimate of its age, it should not be relied upon as the sole indicator. Instead, scientists and researchers use various methods, such as measuring length and weight, to determine a lobster's age more accurately.