Common Spiny Lobster vs Pink Spiny Lobster

Palinurus elephas compared with Palinurus mauritanicus

Key Differences

• Common Spiny Lobster is Not Evaluated while Pink Spiny Lobster is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Common Spiny Lobster	Pink Spiny Lobster
Kingdom same	Animalia (สัตว์)	Animalia (สัตว์)
Phylum same	Arthropoda (สัตว์ขาปล้อง)	Arthropoda (สัตว์ขาปล้อง)
Class same	Malacostraca (Crustaceans)	Malacostraca (Crustaceans)
Order same	Decapoda (Decapoda)	Decapoda (Decapoda)
Family same	Palinuridae	Palinuridae
Genus same	Palinurus	Palinurus
Species	Palinurus elephas	Palinurus mauritanicus

Evolutionary Relationship

Common Spiny Lobster and Pink Spiny Lobster share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Palinurus.

Conservation Status

Common Spiny Lobster

NE — Not Evaluated

Pink Spiny Lobster

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Common Spiny Lobster	Pink Spiny Lobster
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Common Spiny Lobster

Habitat

Typically found in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments.

Range

Found across Europe (8 countries).

Pink Spiny Lobster

Habitat

Typically found in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments.

Common Spiny Lobster

<em>Palinurus elephas</em>, commonly known as the common spiny lobster, is a large marine crustacean in the family Palinuridae, distributed across the northeastern Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. This species typically inhabits rocky and biogenic reef habitats at depths ranging from the shallow subtidal zone to approximately 200 metres, where crevices and caves provide shelter during the day. Its geographic range extends from the British Isles and the Azores southward along the Atlantic coasts of Europe and North Africa, and throughout the Mediterranean. The species has not been formally evaluated under IUCN Red List criteria, though commercial populations have declined significantly across much of its range due to intensive fishing pressure. <em>Palinurus elephas</em> lacks the large claws characteristic of true lobsters, relying instead on long, spiny antennae for defence and sensory purposes. It is omnivorous, typically feeding on molluscs, echinoderms, algae, and organic detritus on the seafloor. The species can reach a total body length of approximately 50 cm and may weigh up to approximately 4 kg in large individuals, though average lifespan measurements remain poorly documented. Spawning occurs in summer, with females carrying egg masses under the abdomen. Commercial fisheries management increasingly focuses on minimum landing sizes and seasonal closures.