Interesting facts about the mantis shrimp.

The mantis shrimp is among the most unusual and ruthless predators on the planet. It has excellent hunting skills and unique vision.

Its strike is extremely powerful and fast—approximately 20–30 m/s. The strike causes cavitation, forming bubbles that then collapse like a mini-explosion underwater, creating a shock wave and a brief flash of light. Temperatures of thousands of degrees can build up within these bubbles for a split second.

It is capable of breaking shells, carapaces, and even aquarium glass. Its claw is extremely strong and can withstand enormous forces.

It has two types of "weapons":

• "Crushers"—hit like a hammer, piercing hard shells;
• "Spearers"—pierce prey.

The mantis shrimp also has unique vision: up to 16 types of photoreceptors, while humans have 3. It sees ultraviolet and polarized light.