mantis shrimp
Boxer of seas
Mantis shrimp are marine crustaceans known for their powerful front appendages, which can strike with extraordinary speed and force—some species punch hard enough to shatter aquarium glass.
Despite the name, they're neither mantises nor true shrimp, though their folded forelimbs resemble a praying mantis.
They also possess remarkably complex eyes capable of detecting polarized light and wavelengths invisible to humans.
Strike with fist
- cavitationPressure-induced void creation
- accelerationRate velocity changes
- clubOrganization with membership
- spearPole with sharp point
raptorial · smash · speed · force · impact · snapping · ballistic · spring-loaded
External skeletal structure
- carapaceProtective dorsal exoskeleton
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
- chitinArthropod shell polymer
- gillsAquatic respiratory organs
molting · appendages · segmented · arthropod · thorax · abdomen
Multi-lensed visual organs
- color perceptionAbility to distinguish hues
- polarized lightWaves oscillating in one direction
- ultravioletWavelengths shorter than violet
- photoreceptorsCells sensing light
spectral · wavelengths · depth perception · visual system · hyperspectral · infrared · retina · optical
Surprise strike from concealment
- hunterPursuer of prey
- preyAnimal being hunted
- lethalCausing or capable of death
- captureTake into custody
carnivore · territorial · burrow · stalking · attack · crabs · mollusks · fish
Showing shifting spectral colors
- vibrantFull of life, intensity
- prismaticLight-dispersing, multicolored
- chromaticRelating to color
- rainbowRefracted light arc
hues · brilliant · dazzling · multicolored · vivid · fluorescent · pigmentation · warning coloration
Underwater rock or coral formation
- coralMarine skeletal formation
- burrowAnimal's dug dwelling
- tropicalOf hot, humid regions
- Indo-PacificCombined ocean region
seafloor · saltwater · tide pools · crevices · sandy bottom · rubble · lagoon · shallow waters
punch
Strike with fist
- cavitationPressure-induced void creation
- accelerationRate velocity changes
- clubOrganization with membership
spear · raptorial · smash · speed · force · impact · snapping · ballistic · spring-loaded · kinetic energy
exoskeleton
External skeletal structure
- carapaceProtective dorsal exoskeleton
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
- chitinArthropod shell polymer
gills · molting · appendages · segmented · arthropod · thorax · abdomen
compound eyes
Multi-lensed visual organs
- color perceptionAbility to distinguish hues
- polarized lightWaves oscillating in one direction
- ultravioletWavelengths shorter than violet
photoreceptors · spectral · wavelengths · depth perception · visual system · hyperspectral · infrared · retina · optical · sensory
ambush
Surprise strike from concealment
capture · carnivore · territorial · burrow · stalking · attack · crabs · mollusks · fish · feeding
iridescent
Showing shifting spectral colors
rainbow · hues · brilliant · dazzling · multicolored · vivid · fluorescent · pigmentation · warning coloration · display
reef
Underwater rock or coral formation
Indo-Pacific · seafloor · saltwater · tide pools · crevices · sandy bottom · rubble · lagoon · shallow waters · aquarium
- marine lifeshark, sea turtles, manatees, whale, dolphins
- ocean lifeocean, sea, sea creatures, shark, sea life
- sea lifeshark, whale, dolphin, salmon, jellyfish
- invertebratesinvertebrate, arthropod, arthropods, mollusk, crustacean
- ambush predatorscrocodile, alligator, trapdoor spider, anglerfish, antlion
- Asian Seafoodfish curry, steamed fish, prawns, fish balls, fish cakes
mantis shrimpmole
Subterranean insectivore
naked mole rat · star-nosed mole · earthworm · sea cucumber · hagfish
mantis shrimpsea sponge
Porous marine animal
sea slug · nudibranch · coral · barnacle · sea anemone