Mantis Shrimp

There are over 450 species of mantis shrimp, all a variety of different colours. They average a length of 10 cm, with some growing around 30 cm long. There are two main types of hunting for mantis shrimp: spearing and smashing. Smashing mantis shrimp have calcified forelimbs that they use to administer a powerful strike to both predators and prey. Spearing mantis shrimp have sharp forelimbs they use to pierce predators and prey.  

The diet of mantis shrimp differs, depending on their hunting style. The mantis shrimp who spear their prey typically eat softer creatures, such as worms, squid, and fish. Mantis shrimp who club their prey eat harder creatures, such as clams, snails, and smaller crustaceans.  

Mantis shrimp live in burrows, both in tropical and subtropical waters. The substance of the burrows depends on the type of mantis shrimp: spearing shrimp dwell in soft substrate, smashing shrimp in harder substances. Both types of shrimp spend most of their lives in these burrows, though they may move to bigger burrows as they grow larger. 

The mantis shrimp is highly intelligent. They exhibit complex social behaviour, with ritualised fighting and protective activities. With a great capacity to learn and retain knowledge, mantis shrimp can recognise and interact with other shrimp. Their eyes are also thought to be the most complex in the animal kingdom, with great colour and depth perception, as well as polarisation sensitivity, making these creatures’ brains more efficient.

Mantis shrimp exhibit complex behaviours, such as interacting with their neighbours, ritualised fighting, and bonding in life-long relationships. Their movements are mostly typical of crustaceans, though there is one species of mantis shrimp known to flip in circles.  

These behavioural patterns, as well as fluorescent markers on the shrimps’ bodies, are used to attract mating partners. Some mantis shrimp mate with a variety of partners over their lifespans, whilst others mate for life. Overall, mantis shrimp can mate a total of 30 times. The female lays the eggs, kept in burrows or under their tails. Both male and female shrimp take care of the eggs, though there are some mantis shrimp species where the male hunts for food whilst the female protects the eggs. When these eggs hatch, they spend three months as plankton.