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The Mantis Shrimp

Referred to as “thumb splitters” by modern divers — because of the relative ease the creature has in mutilating small appendages.

They are commonly separated into two distinct groups determined by the manner of claws they possess: Spearers are armed with spiny appendages topped with barbed tips. Smashers, on the other hand, possess a much more developed club.

The club is used to bludgeon and smash their meals apart. The “punch” delivered has roughly the acceleration of a .22 caliber bullet.

Mantis shrimp can break through aquarium glass with a single strike from their spear.

Because they strike so rapidly, they generate cavitation bubbles between the appendage and the striking surface .

The prey is hit twice by a single strike; first by the claw and then by the collapsing cavitation bubbles that immediately follow. Even if the initial strike misses the prey, the resulting shock wave can be enough to kill or stun the prey.

Mantis shrimp possess hyperspectral colour vision, allowing up to 12 colour channels extending in the ultraviolet. Their eyes are considered to be the most complex eyes in the animal kingdom.

The mantis shrimp remain with the same partner for up to 20 years.

Mantis shrimp appear to be highly intelligent, are long-lived and exhibit complex behaviour, such as ritualised fighting.