| Scientific Name | Opisthoteuthis grimaldii |
|---|---|
| Location | Bahamas |
| Comments | Captured by submersible |
| Copyright | © Michael Vecchione |
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Opisthoteuthis grimaldii
Creature Pick #1: Peacock Mantis Shrimp
The peacock mantis shrimp, Odontodactylus scyllarus, also known as the harlequin mantis shrimp or painted mantis shrimp is a large mantis shrimp native to the Indo-Pacific from Guam to East Africa.
Description:
O. scyllarus is one of the larger, more colorful mantis shrimps commonly seen, ranging in size from 3 to 18 centimetres (1.2 to 7.1 in). They are primarily green in color, with orange legs and leopard-like spots on the anterior carapace.
They are burrowers, constructing U-shaped holes in the loose substrate near the bases of coral reefs in water ranging from 3 to 40 metres (9.8 to 130 ft) deep.
This mantis shrimp is a smasher, with club shaped raptorial appendages. An active hunter, it prefers gastropods, crustaceans, and bivalves, and will repeatedly smash its prey until it can gain access to the soft tissue for consumption.
It is reported to have a "punch" of over 50mph. This is the fastest recorded punch of any living animal.
To find out more about the Peacock Mantis Shrimp go here.
(Information taken from Wikipedia / Photos taken from the web, they are not mine)
Pair of Stingrays photo by: David Doubilet
In a world of clouds and crystalline blue, a pair of stingrays glides just below the surface in the waters of French Polynesia's Tuamotu archipelago. The creatures find safe haven here under the protection of one of UNESCO's Man and Biosphere reserves.
(Taken from: National Geographic.com)
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