VIDEO

VIDEO

The Peacock Mantis Shrimp

The Peacock Mantis Shrimp

Meet a predator from The Secret Life of Predators, the peacock mantis shrimp.

Grades

3 - 12+

Subjects

Biology, Earth Science, Oceanography, Geography, Physics

Partner
National Geographic Television and Film
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See how the peacock mantis shrimp can pack a mean punch in this clip from The Secret Life of on the National Geographic Channel.

Transcript (English)

- [Narrator] In the dangerous waters off Indonesia lurks a killer the military would love to recruit. He's proof that size doesn't always matter. He's only 15 centimeters long, but pound for pound, he packs the biggest punch in the natural world. This is the peacock mantis shrimp. He carefully excavates his base of operations. But there are more mantis shrimps here than there are crannies for them to claim, so prime real estate is fiercely contested. Still, a hunter must hunt. And he's built to kill. He's armed with the most sophisticated vision of any predator on Earth, and the fastest strike. His eyes work independently, and together, to better target his prey. These eyes detect more colors than any creature on Earth, and see polarized light. He closes in on his target. The mantis unloads the ace up his sleeve, hammer claws. These spring-loaded clubs strike 50 times faster than we can blink. We used an ultra slow-motion camera to capture the blow. The energy from the strike creates a shockwave that further shatters the crab's shell.

Transcripción (Español)

- [Narrador] En las peligrosas aguas de Indonesia acecha un asesino que el ejército desearía reclutar. Es la prueba de que el tamaño no siempre importa. Solo mide 15 centímetros de largo, pero libra por libra, da el golpe más fuerte en el mundo natural. Este es el camarón mantis pavo real. Él excava cuidadosamente su base de operaciones. Pero hay más camarones mantis aquí que recovecos para que puedan reclamar, así que los recovecos se disputan ferozmente. Aún así, un cazador debe cazar. Y está hecho para matar. Está armado con la visión más sofisticada de cualquier depredador en la Tierra, y el golpe más rápido. Sus ojos funcionan de manera independiente, y juntos, para apuntar mejor a su presa. Estos ojos detectan más colores que cualquier criatura en la Tierra, y ven luz polarizada. Se acerca a su objetivo. La mantis saca su carta ganadora, las garras martillo. Estos garrotes con resorte golpean 50 veces más rápido de lo que podemos parpadear. Usamos una cámara ultra lenta para capturar el golpe. La energía del golpe crea una onda de choque que rompe aún más el caparazón del cangrejo.

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Page Producer
Cory Berg, National Geographic Society
other
Last Updated

July 31, 2025

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