La Jolla Cove is a beautiful underwater destination. It is an ecological reserve teeming with an abundance of marine wildlife. It has crystal-clear waters and is the ultimate getaway on a warm summer day. From sea lions to garibaldis, leopard sharks, and more, there’s no question that your underwater visit will be filled with a wide variety of sea creatures. A popular resident below includes none other than the spiny lobster. In this article, we share 3 interesting facts on spiny lobsters and why you should check them out for yourself.

Life on the Coast

All along the pacific coast from Baja California to San Luis Obispo Bay, California, you can find a large number of spiny lobsters hanging out. Spiny lobsters live on rocky landscapes, at depths up to 213 ft below.  They love the area for its warmer climate and abundance of food. During the fall months, they can be found out and about looking for a mate. By the summer, they are busy spawning, releasing thousands upon thousands of eggs. Unfortunately, due to a number of factors, not all hatched larvae reach maturity. Their life cycle goes from

reproduction stage to egg development, larvae stage, post-larvae stage, to juvenile, and then adult.

Nocturnal Creatures

Spiny lobsters are nocturnal creatures. They like to hide in crevices and caves during the day to stay clear of any predators. Common predators include groupers, snappers, sharkers, and more. At night, when all is clear, spiny lobsters come out of hiding to their own hunting. Spiny lobsters primarily feed on a variety of invertebrates such as mollusks, sea urchins, and shrimp. They can also be found eating fishes, carrion, and occasionally, algae and plant matter.

Defense Mechanisms

Spiny lobsters are known for their long, spiny antennae. Their antennae are used for several purposes. The longer antennae are used to scare off predators and the smaller ones are sensory organs used to detect movement around them. In addition to their helpful set of antennae, spiny lobsters have a hard exoskeleton used to protect and shield them. Their shells are not only hard and durable, but they also come in a variety of colors to help camouflage them and protect even further.

Spiny Lobsters in La Jolla, CA

Spiny lobsters are neat creatures. They are uniquely their own and are worth the visit down below. Catch them during one of our night dives and see what their all about for yourself. At San Diego Scuba Guide, we offer the best night scuba dives in La Jolla Cove. Our tours are led by Scuba experts that are known for their quality guides. With each tour, they provide a fun, educational, and safe adventure. Call (858) 397-8213 to reserve or book online.