FOR KIDS: This shrimp packs a punch

Researchers learn a lot from mantis shrimp, colorful marine creatures that possess deadly weapons and complex vision

Researchers learn a lot from mantis shrimp, colorful marine creatures that possess deadly weapons and complex vision

By Roberta Kwok

Web edition: March 27, 2013

Enlarge

The peacock mantis is brightly colored, with leopard spots on its deadly forelimbs. Adults can smash the glass of an aquarium.

Credit: Roy Caldwell

Mantis shrimp are crustaceans, a group of animals that includes crabs and lobsters. Resembling cartoon characters, the small animals sport?oddly shaped?antennae that detect chemicals.?Stiff, paddlelike flaps on the sides of their heads probably act as ears. Spines often decorate their tails. Big eyes on stalks bug out from their heads. And the animals come in dazzling colors, including green, pink, orange and electric blue.

But don't let their dazzling colors fool you. These critters can be very violent. When marine biologist Roy Caldwell tapped a tank to provoke a mantis shrimp, the animal smashed back. ?It broke the glass and flooded the office,? recalls Caldwell.

Visit the new?Science News for Kids?website?and read the full story:?This shrimp packs a punch

Source: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/349241/title/FOR_KIDS_This_shrimp_packs_a_punch

obama trayvon martin pietrus cheney tori spelling marion barber marion barber syracuse