Story: Crabs, crayfish and other crustaceans

A squat lobster

A squat lobster

Swarms of these bug-eyed crustaceans often wash ashore in summer on southern beaches. They are the juveniles of the squat lobster (Munida gregaria), commonly known as whale krill or lobster krill, and they are an important food for seabirds and fish. Adult squat lobsters live on the sea floor and are not commonly seen.

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Photograph by Peter Batson

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How to cite this page:

Niel Bruce and Alison MacDiarmid, 'Crabs, crayfish and other crustaceans - Lobsters, prawns and krill', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/8244/a-squat-lobster (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Niel Bruce and Alison MacDiarmid, published 12 Jun 2006