Bioblitz Battle Plymouth (May 2025)
17 May
2025
1:45pm to 4:15pm
March 4, 2025
Galathea squamifera, the common squat lobster, is a species of intertidal crustacean. Don’t be fooled by the name- these fancy fellows are actually more closely related to hermit crabs than lobsters.
At under 7cm long, the dorsoventrally flattened body of the common squat lobster ranges from maroon to sea green in colour, and is fringed with small spines. The first pair of pereopods (legs) are elongated and tipped with robust claws. The common squat lobster falls into the false crab category (anomurans).
These nocturnally active crustaceans are found in extremely low shore and sub-littoral environments. They are often tucked into small crevices and under rocks.When disturbed, the squat lobster beats a hasty retreat using snapping motions of its tail.
The common squat lobster is a filter feeder and a scavenger, eating both vegetable and animal matter from its environment. Occasionally, it may use its claws to catch small prey.
The common squat lobster is a commonly recorded species, thanks to our crustacean surveyors. This species has been recorded at 9 of our survey sites so far.
