Tuesday, May 19, 2009

The Armored Division: A Ridgeback Slipper Lobster from Hawaii

Wordless Wednesday
Watery Wednesday

What: Ridgeback Slipper Lobster (Scyllarides haanii); length about 20 in (50 cm).
They're edible, but taking them in Hawaii is limited to a state-regulated season.

Where: I took these photos during a night dive at Paniau Cove, Puako, Hawaii.


Click on the photos to enlarge.

25 comments:

ewok1993 said...

Wow, that was close, really close up with this yummy guy.

Bonnie Bonsai said...

Wow, that is real! Great taking!

damontucker.com said...

They look like they would be pretty meaty.

But in the same respect, they look very similar to me... to the ugly looking creatures that were living in the Ala Wai Canal over on Oahu.

I'd try grinding one... It is LOBSTER!

Stan said...

Now that's one crusty crustacean.

BNS said...

@ewok - Yep, that was "in your face" close!

@ damontucker Oh yeah - these guys are good grinds. Lotsa meat on them. ;-)

Bobbie

napaboaniya said...

The mouth looks a little like the claws of a crab...unique and interesting!

Randall said...

Your photos are always so beautifully done and so educational. I'm sorry I've missed them lately.

Shannon said...

That is a strange looking lobster! Hope he tastes better than he looks.

2sweetnsaxy said...

I can honestly say I've never seen one of these before. It looks massive, like too much to eat. LOL! Excellent shots as usual.
:-) Looks like you were close enough for it to reach out and pinch. :-D

Gattina said...

Wow, what a strange creature ! I think we don't have to go in the outer space to find strange critters !

jams o donnell said...

Great shots. He is a big fellow.. or was it a she!

SandyCarlson said...

That is a beautiful creature. So approachable compared to the ones around here. But there I go anthropomorphizing the critter.

Your photography is always a thrill!

Indrani said...

Great close up!
I would have been slightly scared.

Tulip said...

awesome lobster. we have that here too but hard to capture. good you captured one.

scienceguy288 said...

What a strange looking lobster. Did he even have claws?

Beth F said...

Wow that's a lot meat. Great shots.

BNS said...

Thanks for visiting, everyone.

To those who commented that it looked like I was very close to the lobster, I was! This was a real "in your face" situation!

And yes, this was a big one, and would have yielded a lot of meat, but we didn't take it -- just took its picture.

@Shannon - I never met a lobster that DIDN'T taste good!

@Gattina - You're right. There are a lot of 'alien' looking creatures in the sea.

@Scienceguy - No, slipper lobsters do not have claws.

Bobbie

Brooke said...

Lovely... Such a beautiful marine animal... One of the reasons I miss living in Hawaii is all the creatures in the ocean.. ok and a few of the people on the dryland.. a few...

Devany said...

Bobbie & Jerry... welcome to the FBI Blogs first, that is how I found you (I am one too).

How big do you think this guy was? Since it is not lobster season any more, I assume you did not taste him/her? Have you ever spoken to anyone who has tasted one (Pardon me, I am a foodie)?

I love your blog and I am adding it to my blog roll.

~devany
Hilo, HI
www.myhawaiianhome.blogspot.com

BNS said...

@ Brooke - What I always miss most when we travel away from Hawaii is the ocean, and what's in it.

@ Devany - Always nice to 'meet' other FBI bloggers.

This was one BIG slipper lobster - well over a foot long. We only hunt with a camera, so no, we didn't taste this guy.

We have had slipper lobster, however, and the tail meat is just as good as (and very similar to) spiny lobster.

Bobbie

Arija said...

A very handsome fellow with dill and a home made seafood sauce. Oh goodness, what am I thinking of?

AD said...

now that is what i call cracker!
:D

Happy WW

http://whenhekissesher.wordpress.com/2009/05/20/found-light/

Your EG Tour Guide said...

Hmmm. Interesting creature. I've never heard of a ridgeback slipper lobster before. Are they common in Pacific waters...only around Hawaii?

bernie kasper said...

Great shots Bobbie, the sea always gives you quite a show doesn't it !!

Vanniedosa said...

gosh, it looks creepy! i wonder if its yummy? ahaha

mine are here and here.

tc