Gallery: Magnificent Mantis Shrimp

Mantis Shrimp

The colorful mantis shrimp Gonodactylus smithii. Researchers compare mantis shrimp to "heavily armored caterpillars."

The peacock mantis shrimp Odontodactylus scyllarus from the Indo-Pacific boasts strong, hammer-like claws.

Peacock mantis shrimp are solitary hunters, capable of swinging their claws with a force equal to a .22 caliber bullet.

A mantis shrimp guards a raft of pink eggs.

Peacock mantis shrimp are known for their complex visual system.

Peacock mantis shrimp are highly territorial.

A view of the colorful peacock mantis shrimp body.

Peacock mantis shrimp are not shrimp, but their shrimp-like appearance (and tendency to attack like a praying mantis) gave them their name.