Mantis shrimp
Mantis Shrimp (/'mæntɪs ʃrɪmp/)
The Mantis Shrimp is a marine crustacean of the order Stomatopoda. Notable for their vibrant colors and extraordinarily powerful claws, they are among the most interesting creatures in the sea.
Etymology
The term "Mantis Shrimp" is derived from the appearance of the creature, which has a praying mantis-like claw and is a type of shrimp. The word "mantis" comes from the Greek "mantis," meaning prophet or seer, and "shrimp" is from the Middle English "shrimpe," meaning to contract or wrinkle.
Description
Mantis Shrimps are known for their vibrant colors and powerful claws, which they use for hunting. They are divided into two main types: Smashers and Spearers, based on the kind of claw they have. Smashers have a more robust claw and they use it to bludgeon and smash their meals apart. The impact can be so powerful that it can break glass aquarium walls. Spearers, on the other hand, have a longer, more slender claw and they use it to stab their prey.
Habitat
Mantis Shrimps are found in most of the world's oceans, but are most common in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. They tend to live in burrows at the base of coral reefs.
Behavior
Mantis Shrimps are solitary creatures and are known to be very aggressive. They have one of the most advanced visual systems in the animal kingdom, which allows them to perceive both polarized light and multispectral images.
Related Terms
- Stomatopoda - The order to which Mantis Shrimps belong.
- Smashers - One type of Mantis Shrimp, known for their robust, smashing claws.
- Spearers - Another type of Mantis Shrimp, known for their slender, stabbing claws.
- Indian Ocean - One of the main habitats of the Mantis Shrimp.
- Pacific Ocean - Another main habitat of the Mantis Shrimp.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Mantis shrimp
- Wikipedia's article - Mantis shrimp
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