Facts About the Mantis Shrimp
INTRODUCTION
When people think of shrimp, they imagine a tasty seafood dinner. In fact, Americans eat more shrimp these days than even tuna fish! Shrimp are in a group of marine animals known as crustaceans. This group includes lobsters, crabs, and oysters. They all use hard outer shells for protection. You can find thousands of different crustacean species all over the world. Some are very delicious to eat – but many of them are not.
The Mantis Shrimp is an example of a crustacean that you would not want to eat. It is a most unusual creature. First, its name is misleading. It is not a true shrimp – though it looks like one. Second, it has a multi-colored body. Third, it is a small but lethal killer. It can attack and kill prey much larger than itself.