Spiny Lobster Migration Facts

Location/Distance

• The spiny lobster is found in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Carribean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico.

• The length of time that the lobsters migrate can vary from a few hours up to multiple days.

• During migration the lobsters move from shallow waters to deeper and cooler waters.
  
  

Mating

• Mating season for the spiny lobster is between March and July.

• The lobsters move to the deeper reef edges to give birth so that the young will not be in as much danger from preditors.
  
  

Feeding

• The spiny lobster is nocturnal, so they hunt for food at night.

• They hunt for snails, crabs, clams, and urchins.

• When the lobsters migrate to deeper, cooler waters their metabolism slows so they don't need as much food. This allows them to save energy.
  
  

Migration Cues

• When the lobsters sense the first autmn storm (the waves get more violent) they know to migrate because they migrate to avoid the harsh winter weather.

• They also use the drop in temerature as a cue to migrate.
  
  

Navigational Mechanisms

• Lobsters use the direction of the waves to guide them during migraiton.

• The lobsters use the magnetic compass in the ocean to guide them.