Weird Animals: Meet JJ, the Super Heavyweight Lobster in UK

A super heavyweight lobster is now residing in the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth and is given a brand new name: JJ. It weighs 7.65 kilograms and is so far the heaviest lobster found in the U.K. since 1931.

According to Independent, earlier this month, JJ was first discovered by a free diver named Joe Pike in the waters off Lannacombe Beach, North Devon. JJ was previously called Lionel. Upon its discovery, JJ was taken to the National Marine Aquarium for weighing and for the vets to check him over.

Nowadays, JJ is the heaviest lobster is in the Aquarium's Plymouth Sound tank. JJ's name comes after British Olympic boxer silver medal winner Joe Joyce, who is a super heavyweight.

Aquarium director James Wright told The Press and Journal, "It is however, very hard to age a lobster, especially at this size due to the frequency with which they moult, and growth is affected by all kinds of factors, but we estimate he is around 50 to 70 years old."

Wright said that JJ is now on his way to full recovery, as the lobster is now spending time with their husbandry team, who are feeding JJ well and has been checking its progress since the animal has been out of the water for a long time. The team is making sure that there is no long-term damage that will harm the lobster.

"Once he's made a full recovery, he will be moved to our Eddystone Reef exhibit, where he will join other native marine species, such as bass, pollock, greater spotted catsharks and smoothhound sharks," Wright said. "JJ now has pride of place welcoming visitors to the first display they see in our Plymouth Sound exhibit." Wright added.

Weighing nearly 9 kilograms, the previously title-holder for biggest common lobster was discovered off Fowey in Cornwall in 1931. A common lobster usually measures up to 3 feet and is dark blue with yellowish spots.