ALL TIME FAVORITE CRITTERS

CRITTERS LIST

SQUAT LOBSTER

Squat lobsters are decapod crustaceans of the families Galatheidae, Chirostylidae, Munididae, Munidopsidae and Kiwaidae, including the common genera Galathea and Munida. They are not lobsters, but are more closely related to porcelain crabs, hermit crabs and then, more distantly, true crabs. They are distributed worldwide in the oceans, and occur from near the surface to deep sea hydrothermal vents. There are currently 870 described species

Squat lobsters are much smaller than commercially harvested true lobsters. For example, Munida rugosa has a maximum body length of 10 centimetres (4 in) with abdomen extended, and the striated squat lobster Galathea australiensis has a carapace that reaches 15 cm (6 in) in length.

The body of a squat lobster is usually flattened, the abdomen is typically folded under itself, and the first pereiopods (front legs) are greatly elongated and armed with long chelae (claws). The fifth pair of pereiopods is usually hidden within the gill chamber, under the carapace, giving squat lobsters the appearance of having only eight pereiopods.

Oscellated octopus "MOTOTI"

Rudman's phyllodesmium

Jakobsen's phyllodesmium

Emperor shrimp

Coleman shrimp

Skeleton shrimp

Bobtail squid

Ghostpipe fish

Seahorses

Saw-blade shrimp

Flamboyant cuttlefish

Pygmy seahorse

Marble shrimp

Squat lobster

Nudibranchs

Nudibranchs 2

Electric scallop