Blog Post Twenty-Four
#COLORSOFTHEOCEAN_24
This is the Sculptured slipper lobster (Parribacus antarcticus), also known as the Hawaiian slipper lobster or ula pāpapa. It is a crustacean that has an exoskeleton that will protect it like a coat of armor. The upper surface of the body is covered with short hairs and tubercles. It has two recessed eyes that are lined with purple dots. There are two sets of antennae. One pair is flattened and large on the front visible in this photo. The other set is more normal in appearance and is not visible in this photo and sits under the carapace. You may notice that there are no large claws which are common in most other lobsters.
The yellowish brown color of the lobster allows for it to blend in well with its surroundings. During the daytime, these lobsters are hiding in rock walls or crevices on the reef. During the nighttime, they will come out to eat. They are nocturnal creatures and are carnivorous. The lobster will use its jaws and limbs to crack open molluscs, such as snails, oysters, and urchins. Some will eat sea anemones and others are more opportunistic. They will scavenge on dead animal matter. The lobster falls prey to octopus, triggerfish, and some groupers. They are edible, but not commercially harvested. In Hawaii they are allowed to be taken between September-April.
Crazy fact…..The eggs will hatch into small larval stages. The larvae will float/drift in the sea for up to 11 months. It is thought one or less out of 1000 will survive and settle on the ocean floor and grow into a juvenile lobster. Then 1 out of 100 may survive to mature into an adult. If that happens the slipper lobster could live to be about 10 years old.