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scientific endorsement
ALEXANDRE MEINESZ

European lobster

In Dive.Explo360: Mediterranean · Northeast Atlantic · Atlantic Ocean

Encountering a European lobster while diving is often memorable. Hidden beneath a rock or in a wreck, it extends its long antennae before coming out at night. Its impressive claws and dark blue colouring make it an emblematic species of European coasts.

Habitat de European lobster Habitat
Wreck, Rocky habitat
Profondeur de European lobster Depth
20-100 m
Groupe biologique de European lobster Group
Crustacean
Rôle écologique de European lobster Role
Apex predator

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

The European lobster is a robust crustacean with a body protected by a hard shell. Its colouring varies from dark blue to brown, sometimes with paler highlights. It has two large asymmetrical claws: one massive claw crushes prey, while the other, slimmer claw cuts. Its long, sensitive antennae play an important role in detecting its surroundings. It can reach around 30 to 50 cm, with the largest individuals sometimes exceeding these dimensions.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

It mainly frequents rocky seabeds, where it finds cavities to hide in, but may also occur on sandy substrates or around wrecks. It is encountered from the coast down to several tens of metres deep, depending on the region.

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

It is an omnivorous animal with scavenging and predatory habits. It eats molluscs, crustaceans, worms, echinoderms and sometimes fish. It can also feed on dead organic matter available on the seabed.

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Other species — Crustacean

Spiny lobster Spiny Spider Crab Sponge Crab Narwal Shrimp Rough Squat Lobster Anemone Spider Crab Common Hermit Crab Shamefaced Crab

Same habitat and depth

Wreck species Rocky seabed species

Same ecological role and depth

Apex predator species

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