Lobsters Can't Go Into Shock Zoologists have found that, unlike humans and other animals, a lobster's nervous system does not shut down when exposed to extreme pain or suffering.
Most likely, yes, say animal welfare advocates. Lobsters belong to a family of animals known as decapod crustaceans that also includes crabs, prawns, and crayfish.
But, says invertebrate zoologist Jaren G. Horsley, “The lobster does not have an autonomic nervous system that puts it into a state of shock when it is harmed. It probably feels itself being cut. …
“Nope! A sound can emit from the shells of the lobsters — a high-pitched sound — but it's due to steam escaping through a fissure in the shell, not the lobsters 'screaming,'” she explained. This doesn't necessarily mean the cooking process is pain-free for the lobster.
In fact, boiling lobsters alive has been outlawed in the United States since at least 1999.
However, lots of chefs freeze their lobsters, then kill them before cooking – as an alternative method that kills the bacteria in the same way. And, in fact, many industry experts are actually welcoming the proposed legislation to ban boiling living lobsters – as it seems unnecessary.
What about Australia? Switzerland is not the first place to ban boiling live lobsters; it's already illegal in New Zealand and in the Italian city of Reggio Emilia. In several Australian states, including New South Wales, fish and crustaceans are included in animal cruelty laws.
Do Lobsters Feel Pain When Cut In Half? Again, all the evidence shows that they do. And considering their nervous systems cannot go into shock, they are likely to feel this pain for up to an hour after being cut in half.
But thankfully chefs can take steps to minimize the risk. One of those ways? Boiling lobsters alive. Turns out, those unusual tanks of live lobsters in restaurants isn't just there so you can have a plate of fresh lobster.
Lobsters and other shellfish have harmful bacteria naturally present in their flesh. Once the lobster is dead, these bacteria can rapidly multiply and release toxins that may not be destroyed by cooking.
Researcher Michael Kuba says that lobsters are “quite amazingly smart animals.” Like dolphins and many other animals, lobsters use complicated signals to explore their surroundings and establish social relationships.
British study: lobsters might experience feelings, including pain U.K. researchers say crabs, lobsters and octopuses have feelings — including pain. The nervous systems of these invertebrates are at the center of a bill working its way through Britain's Parliament.
A researcher in animal behaviour says it's 'very likely' lobsters and other crustaceans can feel pain when they are boiled alive. A researcher in animal behaviour recommends people kill their lobsters before cooking them, after extensive research suggests crustaceans can feel pain.
While mammals and birds possess the prerequisite neural architecture for phenomenal consciousness, it is concluded that fish lack these essential characteristics and hence do not feel pain.
One of their claws can exert pressure of up to 100 pounds per square inch. So they may not feel pain, but they can cause some serious pain.
What to do if your lobster dies. Should they die and you've kept them cold, you can still cook them. According to State of Maine food safety experts, dead lobster can be consumed safely up to 24 hours from time of death, if refrigerated properly at or below 38°F (the temperature of the average home refrigerator).
“As it turns out, lobsters don't mate for life,” explained Mr. Wheir, a video editor in New York. Actually, male lobsters in particular are rather promiscuous. “Lobsters do have a monogamous bond, but it only lasts for two weeks,” said Trevor Corson, the author of “The Secret Life of Lobsters” (HarperCollins, 2004).
Head First into Boiling Water
Hold the lobster around the middle to avoid those claws and put it head first into the water. It will die quickly. Boiling water is also the best way to cook the lobster so you can leave it in there and carry on the cooking process.
Most lobsters that you see in a grocery store or at a restaurant are at least 5-7 years old and weigh about 1-2 pounds. But lobsters can be much bigger and much older. They could live to be over 100 years old!
The practice of boiling lobsters alive is already illegal in Austria, New Zealand, and Switzerland. The idea that animals are sentient is not new. Charles Darwin wrote 150 years ago that “the lower animals, like man, manifestly feel pleasure and pain, happiness and misery”.
Head First into Boiling Water
Hold the lobster around the middle to avoid those claws and put it head first into the water. It will die quickly. Boiling water is also the best way to cook the lobster so you can leave it in there and carry on the cooking process.
Researcher Michael Kuba says that lobsters are “quite amazingly smart animals.” Like dolphins and many other animals, lobsters use complicated signals to explore their surroundings and establish social relationships.
Freezing Live Lobsters: Just Don't Do It
Safety aside, freezing and thawing lobster prior to cooking it will lead to enzymes leaching into the meat, resulting in a mushy, unappetizing texture.