Mantis Shrimp

Mantis shrimp or stomatopods are marine crustaceans. It is the members of the order Stomatopoda. Around 400 species of mantis shrimp have currently been described worldwide. They commonly reach 30 centimetres in length. There are more than 400 species of Mantis shrimp.

They come in a variety of colours from shades of brown to bright neon colours. Many species spend most of their life tucked away in burrows and holes. They are also known as “sea locusts”, “prawn killers”, “thumb splitters”. Mantis shrimps sport powerful claws that they use to attack and kill prey by spearing, stunning or dismemberment.