Olive squat lobster

These feisty crustaceans are the ‘Houdinis’ of the rocky shore, evading capture as soon as disturbed!

Species information

Ystadegau

Up to 6cm long (including tail)

Statws cadwraethol

Very common around the UK, except for the NE coasts of Scotland & England. Common in North East Atlantic down to the Canary Islands and into the Mediterranean.

Pryd i'w gweld

April to October

Ynghylch

Olive squat lobsters are very common on the rocky shore, although they spend most of their time hiding under stones and boulders on the lower shore and in shallow water. When disturbed, they will use their tail to clap themselves backwards and escape.

Sut i'w hadnabod

This species is much smaller than the spiny squat lobster, with an olive brown body, with paler green lines across the body. Two long, brown claws stick out in front, with large spikes along their insides.

Dosbarthiad

Very common around the UK, except for the NE coasts of Scotland & England. Common in NE Atlantic down to the Canary Islands and into the Mediterranean.

Habitats

Marine

Roeddech chi yn gwybod?

Squat lobsters are more closely related to hermit crabs than they are to true crabs or lobsters!

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.

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