Habitat & Distribution

American lobsters are cold-water creatures, thriving in the rocky, biological-rich waters of the Northwest Atlantic.

Geographic Range

The American lobster (Homarus americanus) is found along the Atlantic coast of North America, from Labrador, Canada, down to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. The highest abundance is currently found in the Gulf of Maine.

Benthic Life

Lobsters are benthic, meaning they live on the ocean floor. They are solitary and territorial, preferring complex habitats that offer shelter.

• Rocky Bottoms: Their preferred habitat, offering ample crevices and caves for hiding.
• Mud & Sand: In areas without rocks, older lobsters can excavate bowl-like depressions in the mud for shelter.
• Eelgrass Beds: Critical for juvenile lobsters, providing cover from predators during their early years.

Temperature Sensitivity

Lobsters are ectothermic (cold-blooded) and their metabolism is governed by water temperature. They actively avoid water that is too warm (above 20°C/68°F) or too cold (below 0°C/32°F).

As ocean temperatures rise due to climate change, the lobster population center has been shifting northward, moving away from Southern New England and becoming more concentrated in the Gulf of Maine and Canadian waters.