Spiny Lobster

Description:

Caribbean spiny lobsters, aka Florida spiny lobsters, grow to about 60 cm in length. Like the other 20 members of the genus Panulirus, such as the Australian, California, and Chinese spiny lobsters, they lack the large pinching claws of their Maine lobster relatives. Their primary defense are the spines that cover its shell, which help protect them from predators. Caribbean spiny lobsters use a second pair of antennae in sensory perception, which are found folded along side their body when it's not in use. These lobsters have a striped body, brown-gray in color with yellow spots on the segmented tail. They also have compound eyes and can detect orientation, form, light, and color. If startled, these lobsters will kick their large abdominal tails rapidly to swim away backwards to safety.

Habitat:

Tom Owens Cay, Belize