The Indo-Pacific Furry Lobster, Palinurellus wieneckii, has a bright orange body uniformly covered in short, translucent bristles, giving it a distinctive furry appearance. It reaches a maximum total length of 20 centimeters (7.9 inches), with the carapace measuring up to 8 centimeters (3.1 inches). Individuals typically measure between 10 to 14 centimeters (3.9 to 5.5 inches) in body length. Its stout carapace is spiny beneath the bristles, and it possesses short, thick antennules.
This cryptic species inhabits reef crevices, caves, and overhangs on rocky reefs and rubble slopes at depths ranging from 1 to 27 meters (3 to 89 feet). It is nocturnal, remaining hidden within the reef structure during daylight hours. Its diet consists of detritus and small benthic invertebrates, functioning as a scavenger. P. wieneckii is gonochoric, with sexes separate. Reproduction involves a precopulatory courtship ritual that relies on both olfactory and tactile cues, leading to indirect sperm transfer where spermatophores are deposited on the female.
- body covered in short dense bristles, giving a furry look
- orange to reddish, no long whip antennae
- short stout antennae instead of whips
- length up to 20 cm
Why it's threatened
Threat classification from the IUCN Red List.
