Ridged Slipper Lobster
(Scyllarides nodifer)
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Animal Type
Invertebrates
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Exhibits
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Range
Atlantic Ocean
Overview
There are many species of slipper lobster, known for their set of large, plate-like antennae that extend forward from their heads. They also have a set of longer, thinner antennae that they use to sense and explore their surroundings. The species of slipper lobster in the Sensing display of the National Aquarium's Surviving Through Adaptation exhibit is the ridged slipper lobster. The skin of this species has a bumpy texture and a mottled brown and white coloration with hints of deep blue and orange. Their legs are described as having a candy cane pattern, with alternating orange-red and white stripes.
Quick Facts
Learn more about slipper lobsters! Did you know that they aren't true lobsters? They don't have claws like true lobsters, but people still eat them!
Ridged slipper lobsters are found throughout the coastal areas of the Gulf of Mexico. Their range extends into the Atlantic Ocean from Florida to North Carolina, as well as Bermuda. They are bottom dwellers that bury themselves in the sand.
Ridged slipper lobsters eat mollusks, crustaceans and other bottom-dwelling marine life.
As adults, ridged slipper lobsters can reach just over a foot long from tail to antennae.
According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, ridged slipper lobsters are a species of least concern.
Slipper lobsters are preyed upon by bony fishes.
Explore Exhibit Residents
Learn more about the animals that share an exhibit with this one.
Anemones (Actiniaria)
Sea anemones are named after and resemble flowers.
Longhorn Cowfish (Lactoria cornuta)
This charismatic fish is easily recognizable by its long horns that protrude from the front of its head.
Peacock Mantis Shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus)
The shrimp’s own hard-shelled body is bursting with color—hues of bright red, green, orange and blue, and its forearms are covered in spots.
Blind Cavefish (Astyanax mexicanus)
Blind cavefish cannot see and usually don't have eyes.
Spotfin Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ocellatus)
The black bar across this fish's eye confuses predators.