Critter of the Month: The squat lobster finds strength in flexibility
Stretch it out: The squat lobster finds strength in flexibility
Eyes Under Puget Sound – Critter of the Month
It’s almost January, which means that gyms, fitness centers, yoga studios, and living rooms across the world will soon be full of folks working hard to keep the most common New Year’s resolution of all: to turn over a new leaf of wellness and healthy living. Read on to find out how this month’s critter varies its routine to stay in peak shape year-round, in order to adapt to life in a constantly changing ocean.
So why the long tail?
Named for their squatty body shape (not for their ability to pump iron), squat lobsters or “pinch bugs” are actually not lobsters at all. Squat lobsters belong to a group of crabs called galatheids, which also includes porcelain crabs. Unlike “true” crabs that mostly keep their tails tucked away in a groove under their abdomen, squat lobsters have large, fanned tails like the charismatic American lobster.
Cardio or bust
You won’t catch these crustaceans living a sedentary lifestyle – and if they’re lucky, you won’t catch them at all! Juvenile squat lobsters take cardio to the extreme, chasing plankton full-time in the open sea before settling to the bottom. Adults aren’t on the move nearly as much, but their workout routine still includes frequent paddling sessions, especially when a predator is nearby. All of their swimming is done in reverse, using powerful flips of their tail fans to propel them backwards.
Read more about these plankton-chasing crustaceans in our latest blog.