Cigala

Imagine a sea creature that looks like a bumpy, spiky pineapple! That's a cigala! They are also called spiny lobsters, but they aren't really lobsters.

They have long antennae that are longer than their bodies, which they use to feel their way around. Their bodies are covered in tough, spiky plates to protect them from hungry predators. They have ten legs, but the front two are super strong and used for crushing food and digging.

Cigalas love to explore the ocean floor. They live in warm waters all around the world, like in the Mediterranean Sea and off the coasts of places like Florida and California. You can find them hiding in rocky areas, coral reefs, and even in shipwrecks! They like to stay hidden during the day, peeking out from their cozy dens, and come out at night to search for yummy snacks.

Cigalas are not picky eaters! They are omnivores, which means they eat both plants and animals. Their favorite foods include small crabs, sea snails, mussels, and even dead fish they find on the ocean floor.

They use their strong front claws to crack open shells and grab their meals. Sometimes, they even munch on seaweed! They are like the ocean's cleanup crew, eating things that have already passed away.

Did you know cigalas can grow to be as long as a grown-up's arm? Some can even be as long as a small surfboard! When they get too big for their shell, they shed it, just like a snake sheds its skin.

This is called molting. They have to be very careful when they are soft and new because they can't defend themselves well. They also make a cool clicking sound by rubbing their antennae together to warn other animals to stay away!