diving.voyage
Lobster

Marine life profile

Lobster

Recorded at 2720 dive sites

Where divers encounter it

Explore Lobster around the world

Lobsters are malacostracan decapod crustaceans of the family Nephropidae or its synonym Homaridae. Most stay close to cover, emerging to feed, clean other animals or defend a small shelter.

Dive sites2720
Countries86
Animal groupCrustaceans
Safety profileGenerally Harmless

Meet the species

What to look for

How to Recognize It

Look for a jointed shell, paired antennae and articulated legs adapted for walking, digging or gripping.

How It Behaves

Most stay close to cover, emerging to feed, clean other animals or defend a small shelter.

Special Ability

A tough external skeleton provides portable armor and is replaced as the animal grows.

Dive responsibly

Share the water well

How to Approach

Settle nearby and wait. Avoid touching antennae, claws or the shelter, especially during a night dive.

Safety

Observe without handling. Claws and defensive spines can injure, and recently molted animals are especially vulnerable.

Worth knowing

The detail you remember

Interesting Facts

They have long bodies with muscular tails and live in crevices or burrows on the sea floor.

Where to Find

Search beneath ledges, inside coral heads, around anemones and across rubble after sunset.

Known countries

Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and SabaMauritiusTurkeyDominican RepublicNetherlandsMexicoUnited StatesBrazilSint MaartenCanadaGrenadaMaldivesOmanIsraelSpainMalaysia