It is found in deep waters in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the western Mediterranean Sea.

The carapace shows two conspicuous, longitudinal rows of forward-directed spines.

It is found on muddy or rocky bottoms at the edge of the continental shelf, but, off Europe in waters deeper than 200 m. Its greatest numbers occur at depths of between 200 and 400 metres (660 and 1,310 ft).

[3] The breeding season is between late summer and autumn, shortly after moulting.

[5] Palinurus mauritanicus has been less the preferred target of lobster fisheries because of its relative scarcity, due to its deeper distribution.