Slipper lobsters are found in warm seas throughout the world, and this species is one of the smallest... É o nosso vulgar cavaco, nao confundir com o cavaco açoriano. Este é mais pequeno, com habitos nocturnos, encontrado com frequencia nos litorais da Serra da Arrábida.
Antonio, thanks for the interesting and useful informations, wonderful species and excellent shot, so vivid colours and great sharpness, perfect focus and amazing underwater photo, congrats, best regards
Scyllarus arctus. This crustacean is about 13cm (5?) long, dark brown, with a lobster-like tail. It has orange-red eyes and a rough granulated texture to the shell. The head scales have an attractive light and dark brown pattern and there are little longitudinal light brown and red markings on the tail. The walking legs have alternating bands of cream and brown, making it look as if it is wearing rugby socks... :)
They live on stony ground, in caves, and can also be found on muddy bottoms or in seagrass beds. They use the large spade-like scales at the front of the head to burrow into mud, sand or gravel between and under stones. When startled, they can shoot backwards rapidly by flexing their abdomen (tail).
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{K:15402} 2/12/2004