Spiny squat lobster by Paul Naylor
Spiny squat lobster
Enw gwyddonol: Galathea strigosa
A bizarre half lobster/half crab, this squat lobster is one of the true stunners of the rocky shore!
Species information
Ystadegau
Up to 10cm long (including tail)Statws cadwraethol
Fairly common
Pryd i'w gweld
April to OctoberYnghylch
Squat lobsters look a bit like a cross between crabs and lobsters or a tiny lobster curled in half! They have a long, flattened body and a tail tucked up underneath. As with many other crustaceans, squat lobsters can use their tail as a paddle to escape backwards very quickly.Sut i'w hadnabod
This species is particularly vibrant, with a stunning red body, decorated with electric blue stripes across the body and around the eyes. Two long, chunky, red claws stick out in front, covered in thick brown hairs (spines).Dosbarthiad
Fairly common around the UK, North east Atlantic, Mediterranean and Red SeasTest
Roeddech chi yn gwybod?
This species is more likely to be found at night, when it leaves its rocky crevice to scavenge for food!Sut y gall bobl helpu
Always follow the Seashore Code when rockpooling, taking care where you walk and making sure you put animals and rocks back gently.
Mark Hamblin/2020VISION
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