Ridged Slipper Lobster
Scyllarides nodifer
Markings and exact colorations may vary.
A flat, clawless lobster with paddle-shaped antennae and a bumpy tan shell.
- Typical size
- Up to 12 in
- How often it turns up
- Uncommon
- Collecting
- Restricted
- Handling
- Photograph and release
This is a living animal. Photograph it and leave it where you found it, or ease it back into the water. Harvest is regulated by FWC; empty molts are fine to keep.
How to tell it apart
- Flattened body with no claws
- Broad flat plate-like antennae instead of long whips
- Tan to yellowish carapace covered in rows of knobs
Where to find these in Florida
Beaches rated very good or excellent for tidepool life. Each page shows today’s score, the best window and access details.
- Bathtub Reef Beach · Stuart
- Anne's Beach · Islamorada
- Bahia Honda State Park · Big Pine Key
- Bathtub Beach · Stuart
- Caspersen Beach · Venice
- Curry Hammock State Park · Marathon
- Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park · Key West
- Harry Harris Park · Tavernier
- Higgs Beach · Key West
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park · Key Largo
- Long Key State Park · Long Key
- Marineland Beach · Marineland
Found one?
Photograph it and BeachNut ranks the likely matches with a confidence read, then logs it to your collection with the beach and date.
Browsing beaches and the full field guide is free. A free account logs unlimited finds and gives you three photo identifications a day.
Commonly confused with
Spanish Slipper LobsterScyllarides aequinoctialis
Ridged has a knobby tan shell; Spanish is smoother and reddish with dark spots on the first tail segment.
More tidepool life in the field guide
Get Florida beachcombing tips
Occasional emails: what's washing up, shelling tips and new BeachNut features. No spam, unsubscribe any time.