Editing Homarus gammarus (section)

==Life cycle==
[[File:Homarus gammarus zoea.jpg|thumb|right|[[Zoea]] larva of ''Homarus gammarus''|alt=A grey-green translucent animal is seen from the side. The eye is large and shining, and is in a recess of the large carapace and its long rostrum. An abdomen, similar in length to the carapace, projects from the rear, and below the carapace, there is a mass of legs, some with small claws.]]
Female ''H.&nbsp;gammarus'' reach [[sexual maturity]] when they have grown to a carapace length of {{convert|80|-|85|mm}}, whereas males mature at a slightly smaller size.<ref name="CEFAS"/> [[Mating]] typically occurs in summer between a recently moulted female, whose shell is therefore soft, and a hard-shelled male.<ref name="CEFAS"/> The female carries the [[egg (biology)|eggs]] attached to her [[pleopod]]s for up to 12 months, depending on the temperature.<ref name="CEFAS"/> Females carrying eggs are said to be "berried" and can be found throughout the year.<ref name="MLW"/>

The eggs hatch at night, and the [[crustacean larvae|larvae]] swim to the water surface where they drift with the [[ocean current]]s, preying on [[zooplankton]].<ref name="CEFAS"/> This stage involves three [[ecdysis|moults]] and lasts for 15–35 days. After the third moult, the [[juvenile (organism)|juvenile]] takes on a form closer to the adult, and adopts a [[Benthos|benthic lifestyle]].<ref name="CEFAS"/> The juveniles are rarely seen in the wild, and are poorly known, although they are known to be capable of digging extensive [[burrow]]s.<ref name="CEFAS"/> It is estimated that only 1 larva in every 20,000 survives to the benthic phase.<ref name="NLH">{{cite web|url=http://www.nationallobsterhatchery.co.uk/education/lobster-biology.htm |title=Biology of the European lobster, ''Homarus gammarus'' |publisher=UK [[National Lobster Hatchery]] |access-date=November 14, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114121433/http://www.nationallobsterhatchery.co.uk/education/lobster-biology.htm |archive-date=November 14, 2012 }}</ref> When they reach a carapace length of {{convert|15|mm|abbr=on}}, the juveniles leave their burrows and start their adult lives.<ref name="NLH"/>