Mantis Shrimp

Squilla empusa

The mantis shrimp has a somewhat flattened body that is translucent with a pale green hue. Other features of the mantis shrimp include:

• A segmented abdomen and carapace. Each segment is outlined in dark green or yellow.
• Emerald green eyes located on stalks on the top of the shrimp's head.
• A pair of long jackknife claws that resemble a praying mantis's.
• Four other pairs of clawed appendages, called maxillipeds, and three pairs of walking legs.

Mantis shrimp grow to 8 to 10 inches long.

Where does the mantis shrimp live?

Mantis shrimp live in the middle to lower Bay, from the shoreline to deep waters. They are nocturnal, burrowing in muddy sediments during the day and hunting at night. Mantis shrimp burrows are complex, with several chambers and exits.

What does the mantis shrimp eat?

Mantis shrimp hunt for live fish, crabs and shrimp by slicing, spearing or grabbing onto their prey with their sharp claws.

How does the mantis shrimp reproduce?

Because mantis shrimp are secretive, nocturnal animals, little is known about their life cycle or mating habits.

Other facts about the mantis shrimp:

• The mantis shrimp is not an actual shrimp, but rather a shrimp-like crustacean.
• The strike velocity of the mantis shrimp's large, powerful spearing claws is said to be nearly 10 meters per second. This allows the mantis shrimp to spear and cut swiftly moving fish (or people!).
• Mantis shrimp eyes contain even more photo receptors than human eyes.