Range:
Commonly inhabits the subtropical and tropical waters of the Western
Atlantic Ocean from North Carolina to Brazil. It is often found in
shallow waters where it is mostly active at night (nocturnal),
hiding during the day in protective reef crevices, ledges, and
overhangs.
Similar Species: Spotted Spiny Lobsters (Panulirus
guttatus.) are sometimes confused with the Spiny Lobster but are
covered, including the legs, in numerous white spots.
Identification: Hard spines cover most of its shell. The
coloration is mainly brown-gray with stripes and yellow spots on the
tail segments. Spiny Lobsters have very long, thick, spiny antennae
and lack claws on the first four pairs of walking legs. Despite name
and appearance, Spiny Lobsters are not closely related to true
lobsters. True lobsters have much smaller antennae and claws on the
first three pairs of legs (the first being enlarged).
Note: In response to the onset of late summer and fall
storms, Spiny Lobsters migrate towards deeper, warmer water in
single file lines known as “marches,” sometimes thousands of
lobsters in length. Spiny Lobsters prefer warmer water that helps
the development of their eggs.
back to field guide main page
