You may have shopped several times for lobsters and you may have relished a lobster meal as well but you'll be surprised at the things you don't know about these creatures. Here are some interesting facts about lobsters that you're probably not aware of.

Lobsters have been popular in Europe for a very long time. In fact, its reputation as a prize delicacy can be traced to European nobility. Surprisingly enough lobsters gained appreciation in America only in the 1900's. It was considered as the "poor mans" food in Canada and was used as fertilizer and for feeding slaves. Things changed only when they began shipping live lobsters from the coasts to the cities.

Have you ever wondered what lobsters feed on? Many people believe that lobsters are cannibalistic and feed on one another. Well, this is only half-true. They normally feed on sea creatures that thrive on the bottom of the ocean like crabs, clams, snails and mussels. However, they do feed on tinier lobsters.

There are two kinds of lobsters: the American lobster which is found in Maine and Alaska and the spiny lobster generally found in Florida, California and the Caribbean. The American lobster has got claws on the first four legs. This is missing in the spiny lobster. However, the spiny lobster has got a pair of horns above the eyes. All lobsters have five pairs of legs.

Lobsters shed their shells to reveal new larger shells. This process is called molting and is necessary to enable them to grow. The new shell is pretty soft. It may also take some time to harden. To hasten this process the lobster eats the old shell to replenish any lost minerals. Most lobsters molt once a year. Younger lobsters may molt even twice a year while older lobsters don't molt frequently. Perhaps, once every two or three years.

Lobsters generally live for fifty odd years. The largest lobster ever caught was estimated to be hundred years old. Your average one pound lobster is generally seven or eight years old.

Lobsters come in varied colors like red, bluish green, yellow and white. You'll also find lobsters with two different colors. You may come across spots on a lobster. The blue lobster is very rare and its blue color is due to a genetic defect. However, blue lobsters, like other specimen turn red when cooked.

A lobster cannot survive in fresh water. It can only thrive in seawater.

Have you ever been to a restaurant and wondered whether they've served you fresh lobster? Here's how you can find out. If the lobster was still alive when cooked, its tail will be curled. On the other hand, a dead lobster's tail remains straight, as its elasticity is lost. When dipped into boiling water, the live lobster curls its tail.

This may surprise you but lobsters can also regenerate a few of their body parts. This means that they can grow new legs and claws at will.

Lobster traps are used to collect live lobsters. These traps are designed to allow lobsters to enter but not exit.

If you're guilt ridden about the pain a lobster will feel when plunged into boiling water, you needn't worry. Lobsters have a nervous system similar to that of a grasshopper. They die as soon as they are put into boiling water and feel absolutely no pain. The tales of lobsters screaming when dipped in boiling water are just myths.

Now that you've familiarized yourself with these delectable creatures, you can go online and buy one. If you order online, you can get one shipped overnight straight from the coast to your doorstep.