With its hard, large claws and lightning-fast strikes, the Mantis Shrimp is a formidable predator in the ocean.
Dubbed the “ocean assassin,” the small creature known as the Peacock Mantis Shrimp possesses a “weapon” capable of shattering prey with a force over 1000 times its own weight.
The claws are a powerful weapon for the Mantis Shrimp. The shape of the claws resembles a mace.
Despite its name, the Peacock Mantis Shrimp is neither a shrimp nor related to mantises. Its appearance features elements reminiscent of both, which led to its name. In reality, it belongs to the class of crustaceans, distantly related to shrimp and lobsters.
Mantis Shrimp (Stomatopoda) – also known as mantid shrimp, peacock shrimp, or stomatopods – is a group of crustaceans comprising over 400 species in the order of stomatopod. They are often referred to as mantis shrimp because they resemble both shrimp and mantises with their claw-like appendages. They inhabit temperate and tropical marine regions around the globe, with body lengths reaching up to 30 cm.
The claws are the Mantis Shrimp’s formidable weapon. Shaped like a mace, they attack prey by rapidly and powerfully striking with their claws. Against crabs, snails, oysters, clams, and other hard-shelled prey, they use their claws to crush the shells. A prey can be killed instantly by the Mantis Shrimp’s blow, but when fighting their own kind, their strikes are not fatal.
Mantis Shrimp can swing their claws at incredible speeds (up to 23 m/s) and generate a force of 1,500 Newtons with each strike. Scientists assert that when the Mantis Shrimp swings its claws, the acceleration is comparable to that of a bullet.
Maya deVries, an associate professor of biological sciences at San Jose State University, explains: “Mantis shrimp have a unique energy storage system located where they flex their arms. They possess a ‘lock’ system to store energy there. This ‘lock’ is muscle-controlled. Therefore, when the animal is ready to strike, it contracts the flexor muscles to release the lock. Once the lock is released, all the energy stored in the muscles and exoskeleton is unleashed, and the claw, shaped like a hammer, shoots forward with astonishing speed and acceleration.”
They attack prey by striking quickly and powerfully.
“Imagine punching a wall thousands of times at that speed without breaking your fist. That’s pretty impressive. It makes us think about how mantis shrimp can do it,” says materials scientist David Kisailus from the University of California.
Upon closer examination, the research team discovered a remarkable feature: the mantis shrimp has a special nano-coating that is impact-resistant, allowing it to absorb and dissipate energy effectively.
Due to the rapid movements of their claws, mantis shrimp create cavitation bubbles in the space between their claws and the target. When these bubbles collapse, they generate a significant force. This force augments the claw’s striking power, significantly increasing their ability to kill prey. Even if the claws miss the target, the prey can still die from the force created by the collapsing bubbles.
Research shows that the spiral arrangement of α-chitin fibers combined with the fish-bone structure can deflect and alter crack propagation.
The research team used transmission electron microscopy – a tool for studying the microstructure of solid materials, employing high-energy electron beams that penetrate thin solid specimens and using magnetic lenses to create highly magnified images, along with atomic force microscopy to gain a close-up view of the mantis shrimp’s weaponry. Simultaneously, the scientists discovered that the coating is made from a dense matrix of a mineral called hydroxyapatite, forming a nanocrystalline structure.
“At relatively low strain rates, the deformed particles behave like rubber and recover when the impact is reduced. While at high strain, the particles harden and fracture at the nanocrystalline surfaces, opening new surfaces that dissipate a significant amount of energy,” Kisailus explains.
This mechanism is truly impressive, outperforming many materials in terms of hardness and elasticity. It may have some incredible applications in the future.
Mantis Shrimp strike with incredible speed (up to 23 m/s) and generate a force of 1,500 Newtons.
“It’s a rare combination, surpassing most metals and engineering ceramics. We can learn to create similar particles with advanced protective surfaces for use in cars, airplanes, or armor,” Kisailus emphasizes.
“The Wrecker” with Vibrant Appearance
Boasting a colorful appearance with hues ranging from green, reddish-brown to pale yellow, the Mantis Shrimp enhances the majestic aura of this deep-sea predator. Fierce in its attack, it’s unfortunate that this “ocean assassin” is… colorblind. However, the sharp eyes of this peacock mantis shrimp have a unique and quite complex structure.
Their eyes possess light-sensing organs containing up to 16 types of photoreceptor cells, allowing them to distinguish coral reefs and even some transparent species. Notably, this mantis shrimp can see polarized light, a capability rare in other animal species. Their extraordinary and peculiar visual system means that while they may be deemed colorblind, they can differentiate many colors, though they struggle with closely related colors, such as yellow and green-yellow.
Secretive, Solitary, and Not Fond of “Infidelity”
It’s unclear how this dangerous predator plans to live, but they lead a mysterious and somewhat solitary life. Peacock mantis shrimp spend most of their lives in their burrows. Moreover, they are not fond of “infidelity,” as many of their species can pair with mates and remain bonded for life. This lifespan may not exceed five years.
Regarding their survival strategies, the peacock mantis shrimp can be viewed as a ruthless hunting machine. They prefer to hide and ambush unexpectedly. Particularly, they are incredibly determined and persistent when hunting; if an attack fails, they will pursue until they catch their prey.
Mantis shrimp prefer to consume small mollusks and crustaceans. There are several reasons why mantis shrimp have become professional “warriors” of the ocean. They don’t treasure their catch, often dragging unfamiliar prey into their burrow only to toss it out disdainfully. Influenced by their reclusive lifestyle, they enjoy feasting on scallops, clams, and snails—species that are lethargic and not very mobile.
Mantis Shrimp prefer to eat small mollusks and crustaceans.
Mantis Shrimp often replace their claws several times a month, but this does not affect their ability to strike tens of thousands of times during that period. Scientists have discovered significant secrets related to the strength of these mantis shrimp.
The surfaces of their claws are made of hydroxyapatite minerals, providing hardness and arranged in pillars perpendicular to the claw surface. The resilience of these pillars is due to chitosan—a carbohydrate molecule forming long chains of chitin. They are stacked at various angles, helping to prevent cracking when the claws change direction.
Thanks to this remarkable ability, researchers plan to design tools mimicking the mechanics of mantis shrimp claws for applications in aerospace engineering, automotive industries, and more. With such distinctive features, these creatures have captured the hearts of many marine life enthusiasts, even if they are… colorblind.
