Mediterranean spiny lobster

Scientific name : Palinurus elephas

Large crustacean, long-shaped. The carapax present spines, the abdominal portion is composed by six plates and end with a fan-shaped tail. Two antennae, longer than the rest of the body, are refold backward, red and yellow in colour; large chelae are lacking. The animal is yellow, orange and brown in colour, and the legs present longitudinal white or yellow stripes. It may reach a maximum length of 50 centimetres.
It feeds on detritus and small benthic invertebrates.
It lives in holes on vertical cliffs; more active during night-time. During the winter it migrate towards deeper waters.