If you like eating shrimp like I do, you might be surprised to
know that a kind of shrimp you may have enjoyed is a powerful predator. Small but terrible, the Mantis Shrimp can
give you deep painful gashes if this interesting crustacean is
not handled properly. The shrimp is so powerful it can crush corals
and rocks, easily smash the hard shell
of a crab (a favorite food of the shrimp), and remove stainless steel boat propellers. It
can even punch through aquarium glass a quarter of an inch thick. Unbelievable?
It's true.
The creature is so amazing that scientists have been studying it in their search for strong materials that can be used in the military, medical and construction fields.
The creature is so amazing that scientists have been studying it in their search for strong materials that can be used in the military, medical and construction fields.
You will need to duck quickly when faced with a live Mantis Shrimp. The ocean boxer uses its claw to throw a punch at a speed
of 80 kilometers (50 miles) per hour or as fast as a bullet from a .22 caliber pistol.
But though dangerous and predatory, the mantis shrimp has redeeming qualities. It is faithful
and can stay monogamous to its mate for as long as 20 years. Unlike some of us humans who leave child rearing entirely to mothers, the shrimp is a model of joint
parenthood and helps its mate tend the eggs.
You would wish that you have eyes like the shrimp's which can see 11 to 12 primary colors. In contrast,
we humans only see three -- red, green
and blue. The shrimp can also see how light vibrates, which we humans can't see unless we use technology.
Intimidated by the crustacean puncher? Don't be. The best way to deal with it is to put it on the
dinner table. It reportedly tastes more like lobster than shrimp. The Japanese call it "Shako" and use it as Sushi topping.
The Chinese cook it with garlic and chilli
peppers. The Vietnamese grill or boil it.
For Filipinos, the shrimp is "Alupihang
Dagat" (sea scorpion) eaten deep fried.
The Mantis Shrimp may be the world's most dangerous shrimp but like the popular idiom says, all is fair in love, war and, if I may add, in food.
Bon apetit!
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| Source: bartcorp.com |
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| Source: planetanimalzone.blogspot.com |
- Ariel Murphy
Bon Appétit Ariel! What a fascinating piece
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DeleteThanks Paul! A lot of our fellow creatures are fascinating.
Great research on this Ariel - I knew about it, but had to watch all the videos and learned a lot more! I really enjoyed watching the videos ! Thanks !!
ReplyDeleteWell Pete, the Mantis Shrimp attracted my interest after I saw your post about it on FB. So I researched and decided to write about it. Thank you!
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