Beachcombing - Mantis Shrimp

Ever seen a "thumb splitter" up close? Lots of different names for these crustaceans, including mantis shrimp, prawn killer, and sea lice. One of the most interesting animals we have in the Gulf of Mexico! Watch this episode of Beachcombing with Jace Tunnell and Dr. Paul Montagna to get the scoop on why you need to watch out for this "shrimp".
Want to learn more about Dr. Paul Montagna's work, visit his lab's webpage: www.harteresearch.org/researc...
Learn more about the Beachcombing series and the work being done at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at www.harteresearch.org!

[@cabwaylingo_]

i could hear dr montagna speak all day, so full of knowledge and so passionate about it. plus benthic organisms are such an incredible field of research

[@williamkuhns2387]

The species of mantis shrimp with the spiky claw dactyls is called Squilla. In old days the people's of the Marshall Islands of Micronesia made weapons spears, knives and whips from coconut frond wood with shark teeth for edges and on the whips mantis shrimp claws were added to make weapons cause more vicious wounds. The Marshall Island warriors made full body suit armor of woven coconut fibers and a battle helmet made from a large porcupine pufferfish.

[@HarteResearch]

Wow! So interesting! Thanks for sharing! Jace

[@UnironicScrotumhat]

That's sick as hell, dude

[@stephenporter322]

Love education about the place where I live. Keep it up.

[@HarteResearch]

Thank you! Jace

[@oofoof8960]

i could listen to dr montagna talk about voracious predator shells all day

[@px64]

Very informative series.

[@texasaggiegigsem]

I've read they can knock a hole through aquarium glass.

[@HarteResearch]

I read that too. Crazy! Jace

[@sforza209]

There are different type of mantis shrimps. The type on the video are “spearers” and the type your referring to are “smashers”. This type has a claw/ spike and the other species has a club on the end of their appendage.

[@adogiron1]

@@sforza209smashers hit hard and quick enough to create cavitation bubbles, quite impressive tbh

[@MegaLietuvislt]

Arent these capable of making a sonic boom underwater? Prtty cool :) I liked dr. Mntagna's enthusiasm

[@giannixx]

I know that at least Odontodactylus scyllarus can create cavitation bubbles when they strike. But these in the video (Squilla) use their claws to spear prey rather than to smash it, so that may not apply to them.
There's also the pistol shrimp (which, unlike the mantis shrimps, is a shimp), which can create cavitation bubbles when snapping their claws.

[@jwang9989]

I’ve eaten them in Asia. They’re actually delicious but very difficult to peel and pick.

[@Sam-uu2nx]

My thought was where's the meat? Seems like very little surrounded by armor 😂

[@boscoattolini7547]

Great video overall.
But,
Countries like Asia?
That’s American school system for you

[@sinu9226]

he meant in Asia* 100%

[@yokaicustoms]

Such a rude comment. He obviously misspoke. He doesn't think the continent of Asia is a country. 🙄