Peacock Mantis Shrimp Fact Sheet | Blog | Nature

Publish date: 2024-06-03

Credit: Cédric Péneau/ Wikimedia Commons

Peacock mantis shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus): large, colorful mantis shrimp

AKA: harlequin or painted mantis shrimp

Size and Weight:

Peacock mantis shrimp are one of the larger mantis shrimp species, measuring 1.2 to 7.1 inches in length.

Appearance:

Peacock mantis shrimp get their name from their kaleidoscope shell, like a peacock’s tail, and their hinged forearms that resemble those of a praying mantis. They are one of the most colorful species of mantis shrimp. Their narrow, hard-shelled bodies are shades of orange, green, red and blue. They are primarily green with orange legs and leopard-like spots.

Their purple eyes, which protrude from their head, can move independently from one another. This feature allows them to see in two different directions at once and helps them to locate their prey. Their eyes have at least 12 types of photoreceptors, which increases the speed at which they can identify colors and allows them to see in color vision, polarized light and even ultraviolet.

Peacock mantis shrimp emerging from hole towards camera. Credit: Simon Enderby/ © John Downer Productions

Diet:

These shrimp typically feed on gastropods, crabs and mollusks. They can kill prey larger than themselves. Despite their small size, peacock mantis shrimp have the most powerful punch in the world. When it locates prey, the shrimp delivers a swift punch by springing out one of its club-like front claws. The punch is 50 times faster than a bullet from a gun and strong enough to break glass.

Habitat:

Peacock mantis shrimp live in warm, shallow ocean waters.

Geography:

This species lives in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Breeding:

Peacock mantis shrimp dig U-shaped burrows in the sand near the reef’s edge. They venture out from their burrow to hunt and to attract mates. They reproduce via internal fertilization. After laying the eggs, the female carries them around on her front appendages until they hatch, protecting them and keeping them clean. Some peacock mantis shrimp are monogamous with their mate.

Social Structure:

Mantis shrimp are territorial and are typically solitary outside of mating.

Lifespan:

Their lifespan typically ranges from 3 to 6 years.

Credit: Jens Petersen/ Wikimedia Commons

Threats:

Scientists do not have sufficient data to determine this species’ population trends. However, as residents of coral reefs, human-induced changes to this ecosystem may also threaten the peacock mantis shrimp. Their natural predators include large fish, cuttlefish, squid and octopus.

Conservation Status:

The IUCN has not yet evaluated the conservation status of the peacock mantis shrimp.

Sources: The National Aquarium, Oceana, National Geographic, the Akron Zoo and NATURE’s Spy in the Ocean.

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