Located in tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans between Eastern Africa and Hawaii, the mantis shrimp is a small, abrasive marine crustacean. Mantis shrimp are known for their powerful strikes and go by the moniker “thumb splitter” because of the excruciating gashes they can give humans if handled carelessly. Although they are a very common species, little is known about them because they are lonely, territorial marine creatures who spend most of their time hiding among rocks and digging on the sea floor. The two raptorial appendages on the front of the smasher mantis shrimp’s body are used to punch their prey. These spring-loaded fists can accelerate out of their bodies at over 50 mph and produce a force of more than 1,500 newtons, which is strong enough to break through the shells of crabs and clams. One octopus got to experience the wrath of a mantis shrimp when mistaking it for lunch. In a video from Nat Geo Wild, see a mantis shrimp engage in what is referred to as a “meral spread,” ostensibly in an effort to appear larger. The standoff between the two animals is uneventful until the shrimp grows impatient. Waiting for the octopus to leave it alone, it quickly strikes with its deadly claws. The octopus flinches and doesn’t make a counterattack.
Packing a Punch
The ability to smash prey with the force of a bullet or stab them with their sharp claws makes them lethal as well as gorgeous and colorful. The octopus stays and place and that doesn’t stop the mantis shrimp from attacking a second time. He’s telling the tentacled animal that it’s time to leave. If you look closely, you can see the octopus start to camouflage into the sea floor to hide from the defensive creature. Unfortunately for him, the shrimp can still spot him in the sand. One last smack between the eyes gets the job done. The octopus hears the message loud and clear and decides to scurry off. Even after the octo leaves, the shrimp gets back in the meral spread. One commenter says, “I like how he stood up one last time to show the octopus who runs that part of the ocean.” We can’t help but agree! These small sea creatures are known to break aquarium glass with their powerful blows. We’re just glad we’re not on the receiving end of it!
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