Slipper Lobster

ocean · crustaceans · weird antennae · tropical seas

Not true lobsters. Despite their name, slipper lobsters aren't actually true lobsters. They're more closely related to spiny lobsters and furry lobsters, making them cousins in the crustacean family rather than the real deal.

Giant plate antennae. The most obvious thing about slipper lobsters is their enormous antennae that stick straight out from their heads like wide, flat dinner plates. These special antennae help them sense their surroundings in the ocean.

Warm ocean dwellers. You'll find about 90 different species of slipper lobsters living in warm oceans and seas all around the world. They prefer tropical and subtropical waters where the temperature stays nice and toasty.

Popular to eat. All slipper lobster species are edible, and some varieties like the Moreton Bay bug and Balmain bug are so tasty that people catch and sell them in huge numbers as food.

No claws at all. Unlike true lobsters with their big pinching claws, slipper lobsters don't have any claws, which makes them look even more unusual compared to their crustacean relatives.