Spiny lobsters can be easily distinguished from true lobsters by their very long , thick , spiny antennae , and by their complete lack of claws ( chelae ) ; true lobsters have much smaller antennae and claws on the first three pairs of legs , with the first being particularly enlarged . Spiny lobsters can be easily distinguished from true lobsters by their very long , thick , spiny antennae , by the lack of claws ( chelae ) on the first four pairs of walking legs , although the females of most species have a small claw on the fifth pair , and by a particularly specialized larval phase called phyllosoma . True lobsters have much smaller antennae and claws on the first three pairs of legs , with the first being particularly enlarged .