By Kieran Morrissey-Dhekne
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see ultraviolet and infrared wavelengths? The 2-7 inch long Mantis Shrimp lives in the Pacific and Indian Oceans where it is shallow and warmer. It is very colorful. It can be blue, green and red.
The Mantis Shrimp feeds on mollusks and crabs. It kills its prey by “punching it” with club shaped claws. The Zebra Mantis Shrimp is even more fascinating. It does a similar thing but instead of clubs it has spears. It will wait under the sand until its unsuspecting prey swims by then they launch their spears shaped claws and hook their fish instantly killing it. Its punch is estimated to be around sixty mph and can break glass but more importantly it can break shells. The punch has such speed, it boils the water around it. It can be as fast as a bullet.
This gives them a huge advantage while hunting. But it's not their main advantage. Their eyesight is their main advantage. Humans have around three color sensing cones for some combination of green, red and blue light. While mantis shrimps have sixteen, this makes them able to see polarized light.
These amazing crustaceans are one of a kind and have some fascinating abilities. Between the mantis shrimp’s punch and advanced eyesight, you wouldn’t want to cross these crustaceans if you were a fish.