It occurs in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, from Angola to Norway, the Northern Isles and Iceland.

[2] It prefers areas with mud and emerging rocks,[2] and has been observed in deep-water coral gardens and sponge aggregations.

[8] The carapace of the largest males can reach 21.5 cm (8.5 in),[2] while their claws can span 1.2 m (4 ft).

[8] Like other members of the family, most P. cuvieri in their natural habitat carry an object, typically a living sessile invertebrate such as a sponge or deep-water coral, over the carapace in the small hindlegs.

[5][6] This may be used as camouflage, but is also used actively in defense by positioning the object between the crab and a would-be attacker.