Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I write about biodiversity and the hidden quirks of the natural world. At first glance, the mantis shrimp is an unassuming ...

Despite their name, mantis shrimp are not true shrimp but a type of stomatopod: a relative of crabs and lobsters that has been on Earth for over 400 million years. There are more than 400 different ...

Peacock mantis shrimp are one of the larger mantis shrimp species, measuring 1.2 to 7.1 inches in length. Peacock mantis shrimp get their name from their kaleidoscope shell, like a peacock’s tail, and ...

Nothing else in the animal kingdom packs a punch like the mantis shrimp. This tiny, colorful crustacean delivers a wallop at 23 meters per second – a king-hit delivering a jaw-dropping 1,500 newtons ...

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. They may be colorful and small, but mantis shrimp are not to be ...

Researchers knew the mantis shrimp had some tricked-out peepers—its visual world consists of 11 to 12 basic colors (compared with three for humans) as well as infrared and ultraviolet light. If you're ...

Home-stealers fought the hardest for smaller-than-ideal dens. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. A perfect home is hard to find, and ...

The mantis shrimp comes equipped with its own weapons. It has claws that look like permanently clenched fists that are known as dactyl clubs. But when it smashes the shells of its prey, these fists ...

Baby animals are often adorable, but this belies the fact that many are born with some pretty intense survival skills. This is especially true for creatures that don't nurture their young since ...

The mantis shrimp boasts one of the most powerful, ultrafast punches in nature—it’s on par with the force generated by a .22 caliber bullet. This makes the creature an attractive object of study for ...