Peacock Mantis Shrimp — printable fact sheet

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Peacock Mantis Shrimp

Odontodactylus scyllarus

The Peacock Mantis Shrimp is a vibrantly colored marine crustacean known for its striking appearance and extraordinary predatory abilities. Sporting a carapace adorned with electric blues, greens, and reds, this shrimp is famed for its specialized raptorial appendages, which it …

Classification

Invertebrate

Family

Odontodactylidae

Habitat

Coral reefs and sandy or rubble areas of shallow tropical marine waters

Diet

Carnivore

Conservation status

Least Concern

Lifespan

6-8 years

Weight

30-50 grams

Scientific name

Odontodactylus scyllarus

Did you know?

A peacock mantis shrimp's punch is so fast it momentarily boils the water around it, creating a flash of light called sonoluminescence.
Peacock mantis shrimps can punch with the speed of a bullet, generating cavitation bubbles that can stun or kill prey even if the punch misses. Their eyes are among the most complex in the animal kingdom, able to see ultraviolet, visible, and polarized light. They are sometimes called 'thumb splitters' due to the painful injuries they can inflict on humans handling them.

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