If the ocean had a superhero league, the mantis shrimp would be the slightly unhinged, wildly overpowered member everyone’s a little afraid to spar with. This technicolor crustacean may look like it came out of a fever dream, but don’t let the rainbow exterior fool you, it’s basically the Mike Tyson of the reef (with laser eyes).
Style Points: 10/10
First things first: mantis shrimp are ridiculously good-looking. With colors ranging from neon blues to punchy oranges and greens, they look like someone dipped a shrimp in an oil slick and gave it a glow-up. There are dozens of species, but all of them look like they were designed by a graphic designer on an energy drink bender.
Power Move: The Punch
Now, let’s talk about that punch. The mantis shrimp has two raptorial appendages that it can snap forward at 50 mph, that’s faster than a .22 caliber bullet. In fact, they punch so fast, the water around their fists boils (yes, that’s a real thing called cavitation). The resulting shockwave can kill prey even if the shrimp misses its actual target. That’s like knocking someone out with the wind from your punch. Bruce Lee, eat your heart out.
These pint-sized pugilists can crack aquarium glass, split open crab shells like pistachios, and still have time for a victory strut.
Brainy and Bougie
Mantis shrimp don’t just rely on brute force, they’ve got brains, too. They have the most complex eyes in the animal kingdom, capable of seeing polarized light and 12–16 color channels (humans only have three). Basically, they live in a psychedelic light show we can’t even imagine.
Some researchers believe they use these visual superpowers for communication, spotting prey, and judging the best Instagram filter for reef selfies.
Criminally Underrated
Despite being an evolutionary flex in every direction — strength, speed, sight, and style — the mantis shrimp doesn’t get the spotlight it deserves. Maybe it’s because they live in burrows, don’t pose for photos, and tend to obliterate anything that gets too close. But hey, who said icons have to be approachable?
So next time you think about the ocean’s coolest creatures, skip the dolphins and octopuses. Give it up for the mantis shrimp: the kaleidoscopic crustacean with a mean right hook and a whole universe inside its eyeballs.
💥 Stay punchy,
Creature Features HQ
