What is "mantis shrimp"

Squilla \Squil"la\ (skw[i^]l"l[.a]), n.; pl. E. Squillas (-l[.a]z), L. Squill[ae] (-l[=e]). [L., a sea onion, also, a prawn or shrimp. See Squill.] (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous stomapod crustaceans of the genus Squilla and allied genera. They make burrows in mud or beneath stones on the seashore. Called also mantis shrimp. See Illust. under Stomapoda.

n. A stomatopod, a marine crustacean of the order (taxlink Stomatopoda order noshow=1) with powerful claws and a carapace which covers only the rear part of the head and part of the thorax

n. tropical marine burrowing crustaceans with large grasping appendages [syn: mantis crab]

The mantis shrimp, or stomatopod, is a type of marine crustacean of the order Stomatopoda. The majority of Stomaopoda species grow to around in length. A few can reach up to . The largest mantis shrimp ever caught had a length of and was caught in the Indian River near Fort Pierce, Florida of USA. A mantis shrimp's carapace (the bony, thick shell that covers crustaceans and some other species) covers only the rear part of the head and the first four segments of the thorax. Varieties range from shades of brown to vivid colours, as there are more than 450 species of mantis shrimp. They are among the most important predators in many shallow, tropical and sub-tropical marine habitats. However, despite being common, they are poorly understood as many species spend most of their life tucked away in burrows and holes.

Called "sea locusts" by ancient Assyrians, "prawn killers" in Australia and now sometimes referred to as "thumb splitters" – because of the animal's ability to inflict painful gashes if handled incautiously – mantis shrimps sport powerful claws that are used to attack and kill prey by spearing, stunning, or dismemberment. In captivity, some larger species are capable of breaking through aquarium glass with a single strike.