This squat lobster is found in Eastern Pacific waters from Sitka, Alaska to the Coronado Islands, Baja California, including Puget Sound.

These animals favor rocky bottoms and rock faces in areas of low current.

[4] These crabs forage on the bottom, eating detritus, carrion, plankton, and benthic shrimp.

[3] Unlike most other species of squat lobsters, Munida quadrispina juveniles are pelagic, swimming freely in the sea, foraging on plankton, before they mature and settle to the bottom.

[8] They are, however, occasionally caught in recreational prawn traps and adventurous chefs have prepared them as they might other crabs.