Introducing the Moreton Bay Bug aka Flathead Lobster (Thenus orientalis)
The moreton bay bug (Thenus orientalis),
thenus standing for flathead and orientalis for lobster.
This makes the moreton bay bug also known
as the flathead lobster and its commonly mistaken identity to its close
cousin, the lobster.
The flathead lobster is a member of
the skyllaride family. Unlike its cousin the lobster
though, the moreton bay bug does not have two elongated claws
and a more of a flat body along with its head giving it its
name. This helps this organism with its primary source of
protection being able to blend into the environment. The
most single way to find this animal is to dig around the soil of
its natural habitat because it is probably hiding pretty well,
either for safety or waiting for unsuspecting prey. Most
know only of it for it's taste but few know of this animal at
all which makes it so interesting.
Personal thanks to Philippe Poppe for the image use. Visit his
site Poppe-images.com
Too lazy to move your mouse to the left side? Click
Classifications
for next page or
To learn about more organisms, visit
Multiple Organisms.
Or feel free to also visit the UWL
Website.