Don Balke (North Carolina, B. 1933) "American Lobster" Signed lower left. Original Watercolor painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. Wildlife of the 50 States 22c American Lobster/Massachusetts stamp issued June 13, 1987. Living on the rocky, sandy bottoms, from the New England shoreline to the edge of continental shelf, the American Lobster is an elusive quarry for fishermen. Lobsters dwell alone in crevices or in burrows under rocks. They are nocturnal, foraging at night for fish, algae, eel grass, or invertebrates. Like most arthropods, American Lobsters cannot grow without shedding their hard shells. Youngsters molt several times a year, but after reaching maturity, females molt only once every other year, while males do so annually. Molting is important in their reproductive cycle as well. For, mating can only take place within a few hours after the female has shed her shell. The female carries the fertilized eggs for several months before they are ready to hatch. Newly hatched lobsters are free swimming and pass through three stages of development in about twelve days. During the fourth stage, they begin to look for a place to settle, and by the fifth stage they are ready to molt and spend the rest of their lives foraging on the ocean floor. The American Lobster is one of approximately forty species of "true lobsters" characterized by large pinching claws and a stiff fan tail. Image Size: 13.5 x 14.5 in. Overall Size: 14 x 17 in. Unframed. (B10632)