Mud Lobster

Tucked away in the lush mangrove swamps of India, a mysterious architect lurks beneath the mud. I became aware of these mysterious creatures, when I started noticing mounds of earth growing with wet mud added to the mounds. While retracing my steps after a days shoot, we used to notice this. That piqued my interest. And wanted to document these rarely seen creatures.

These mud lobsters, are remarkable creatures who play a crucial role in the ecosystem of these vibrant wetlands. These mounds are formed while the mud lobster excavates mud to create its home. And this activity is also vital for the mangrove’s health as it aids in soil aeration and nutrient recycling. By transforming their environment, mud lobsters also provide habitats for other species, showcasing the interconnectedness of life in the mangrove swamps. The mounds can at times be as tall as 2 meters.

In fact, mud lobsters are very secretive creatures. They generally like to avoid disturbance. In places where there is human activity, they are found to be digging mostly in the night-time. When alarmed the mud lobster immediately closes the opening with a ball of mud. Unlike true lobsters, the mud lobsters are crustaceans and are burrowing creatures. They more closely resemble terrestrial termites. And mud lobsters share the same industrious nature as termites.

This creature has not been documented in the wild before in India.

Shot, Edited & Narrated by: Sabyasachi Patra

© Wild Tiger Productions MMXXIV www.indiawilds.com

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Sabyasachi Patra

Sabyasachi is an award winning Cinematographer and shoots for international broadcasters, production houses and corporates to make a living. He is a passionate filmmaker/wildlife photographer and has won awards and accolades for his documentary 'A Call in the Rainforest' and "Discovering Rann". He has been striving to make his films and photographs full of life and emotion and writing articles to educate and evangelise the need for conserving the last tracts of vanishing wilderness and wildlife in our country. He hopes that his wildlife films, photographs and writings force people to pause, look, ponder and ultimately take action.

Sabyasachi is available for Hire as a DP for shoots any where in India.

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Latest posts by Sabyasachi Patra (see all)

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