Palinurus elephas is a commonly caught species of spiny lobster from the East Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

It is named after the ancient Roman Tyrrhenian sea port of Palinurus (modern day Palinuro, Campania, Italy) where they are found in abundance off its promontory.

[9] It is nocturnal and feeds on small worms, crabs or dead animals, hiding in rock crevices or caves during the day.

[4] It is a much sought-after delicacy and is widely caught for food around the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic coasts of Morocco, Portugal, Spain and southern France, mostly with lobster pots.

Palinurus elephas is the main ingredient of most dishes around the Mediterranean shores, like the Menorcan caldereta de langosta (see lobster stew).