Spiny lobsters are found in almost all warm or tropical waters around the world, including the Caribbean and the Mediterranean Sea, particularly common in Australian waters as well as South Africa. They are also known as langouste or rock lobsters are a family „Palinuridae“ of about 40 species of achelate crustaceans.
Spiny lobsters get their name from the forward-pointing spines that cover their bodies to help protect them from predators. They vary in color from almost white to dark red-orange. Two large, cream-colored spots on the top of the second segment of the tail make spiny lobsters easy to identify. They have long antennae over their eyes that they wave to scare off predators and smaller antennae-like structures called antennules that sense movement and detect chemicals in the water.
Adult spiny lobsters build their homes in the crevices and caverns of coral reefs, sponge flats, and other hard-bottomed areas. They feed on small snails and crabs. The lobsters are solitary until they reach the juvenile stage, when they begin to congregate around protective habitat in nearshore areas. As they begin to mature, spiny lobsters migrate from the nursery areas to offshore reefs.
