Decapodians

Home Planet: Decapod 10

General
The Decapodians are a race of lobster-like creatures from Decapod 10. Like lobsters or crabs, Decapodians have no bones. Instead they have an exoskeleton, or a hard, outer shell which gives their body the rigidity needed to move about. These shells are not integral part of the body, but are replaced from time to time like Hermit Crab shells (3ACV01). In their mature form, they are generally humanoid, but hairless and hard-shelled. They have claws instead of hands, and a row of 4 small finger-like flaps that cover their mouths. The chest has three ridges, possibly containing orifices, and ink pouches are set in the armpits. Apparently Decapodians are very strong, especially their claws can be used to cut steel bars and similarily hard things.

Life Cycle
Decapodians go through many different stages durring their lives. Starting off as tiny larve in a puddle, they progress through no less than a dozen forms (4ACV09). Surviving young are raised by their family.

Reproduction
As with life on Earth, female Decapodians carry eggs, which are fertilized by the males. Like many sea creatures, their survival strategy is to produce massive numbers of descendants, rather than to protect a small number of children until adulthood. Decapodians have no concept of love, and enter into relationships only for reproduction. When their mating season arrives, each male attempts to attract a female with a erotic display on the beach. Successful couples will participate in the mating frenzy. After participating in the frenzy, they die.

Culture
Decapodians do most of their building out of sand. They settle matters of honor by Claw-Plach. Their government is a totalitarian dictatorship, and there is little freedom on their world, which leads many to seek it on other worlds like Earth. It seems that the Decapodian culture has taken over many things from Human civilization.

Characters

 * Dr. John Zoidberg
 * Edna
 * Harold Zoid
 * Ambassador Moivin
 * Hugh Man
 * Decapodian Emperor

Trivia

 * "Decapod" means "having 10 feet" - a common trait of crustaceans, though one the Decapodians lack in their mature, Bipedal forms.

Quotes

 * Dr. Zoidberg: Fry, it's been years since medical school, so remind me. Disembowelling in your species: Fatal or non-fatal?
 * Decapodian Emperor: Once invoked, the sacred tradition of Claw-Plach can not be taken back. It is a recent tradition, only 18 years old, but it is a tradition nonetheless.

Appearances
Note: Not all episodes featuring Zoidberg are listed, only episodes showing other Decapodians, or those revealing new information about the race.
 * "Why Must I Be a Crustacean In Love?" (2ACV05)
 * "Amazon Women in the Mood" (3ACV01)
 * "Teenage Mutant Leela's Hurdles" (4ACV09)