California spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus)

The California spiny lobster is a species of spiny lobster found in the eastern Pacific Ocean from Monterey Bay, California, to the Gulf of Tehuantepec, Mexico. It typically grows to a length of 30 cm and is a reddish-brown color with stripes along the legs, and has a pair of enlarged antennae but no claws.

DISTRIBUTION

• Found from Monterey Bay, California to Magdalena Bay, Baja California, with very few north of Point Conception. ^[1]

LIFE HISTORY

• Matures at 5 years; mating occurs between December-March; Spawning occurs once per year from late spring to late summer with most activity between May-July. ^[1]
• Can live 30-50 years. ^[2]
• Males attach a gummy packet of sperm on the underside of a female, who may carry from 50,000 - 800,000 eggs on the underside of her tail. ^[1]
• Eggs are fertilized when the female uses the small claws on the last pair of walking legs to tear open the sperm packet; fertilized eggs stay on the female until they hatch 10 weeks later. ^[1]
• There are 11 larval stages that drift with prevailing currents and feed on other planktonic animals for up to 10 months; larvae are found from 0-121 m (400 ft) in depth and up to 350 miles offshore. ^[1]
• The 11th and final larval stage, which looks like a miniature transparent adult, swims toward the coast where it settles in shallow, vegetated, seafloor habitat. ^[1]
• Grows by molting the exoskeleton; the soft body hardens into new exoskeleton about a day after leaving the old one. ^[1,2]
• Can regenerate lost legs, antennae with each molt. ^[1,2]

HABITAT

• Adults inhabit rocky areas from the intertidal zones to depths of 70 m (240 feet) or more, sheltered in crevices. ^[1]
• Often found with surfgrass, eelgrass, and many types of seaweed including large brown kelps and coralline algae. ^[1]
• Usually concealed during the day, often in groups within a single crevice. ^[1]
• Starts feeding shortly after sunset and is primarily an omnivorous scavenger. ^[1,2]
• Undergoes a seasonal migration inshore from June to September, and offshore in winter months. ^[1]