The Sculptured Slipper Lobster (Parribacus antarcticus) is a very reclusive creature, living deep in the reef structure during the day, and only coming out into the open to forage for food at night. It doesn’t have any claws like the classic lobsters that we know in Europe or North America, instead relying on camouflage and a very tough exoskeleton for protection. If threatened by potential predators it has a very powerful tail which it flicks repeatedly, allowing it a rapid escape. When foraging for food, it likes nothing more than to feast on small molluscs and worms, as well as a bit of salad by way of algae from time to time. The sculptured slipper lobster is probably one of the most beautiful species of lobster found in the Caribbean, with elaborate frills around its carapace and what looks like perfect eye makeup. You go girl!
If you would like to see the original underwater photograph behind this design print then click here . It was taken on a sand patch near a coral reef in the waters around the island of Anguilla, British West Indies. Being as it rarely comes out during the day it was a special sight to see!
About Reef Creature Clothing
We specialise in not only coral reef inspired athleisure wear, but also beach & swim wear, and other printed products. All our colourful and vibrant designs are made using digitally enhanced prints of real underwater photographs taken in the Caribbean. We donate all of our profits after costs to The Coral Reef Research Hub, a small non-profit organisation that seeks to help fund research projects undertaken by early career coral reef scientists. The projects funded are those that aim to contribute information that will hopefully lead to legislative change, and thus help to protect coral reefs and their associated resources for generations to come!
We write these regular ‘creature features’ to help you learn more about the fascinating inhabitants of the coral reefs where our images came from. More will continue to be posted over the coming months so watch this space!