30 January 2007
Squat Lobster: Creature of the Month
The Squat Lobster, Galathea strigosa, likes to hide in crevices, sometimes clinging upside down to the ceiling. You see it most commonly at night. It lives between 3 and 600 m and is an attractive red colour with bright blue lines.The animal folds its tail under its body resulting in
a crab-like appearance. When necessary the tail is used
as a paddle for a quick get away. Its claws are covered
in brown hairy spines.
The young of this species is a different colour, with a
mottled white carapace.
Galathea strigosa lives from Scandinavia to Spain,
Canaries, Mediterranean and the Red Sea.
Further Reading:
Great British Marine Animals by Paul Naylor
http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/britishmarine.html
More Photos:
http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/photouk.html
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Labels: sealife
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