News Animals

How mantis shrimp deliver punishing blows without hurting themselves

Layers in its shell absorb high-energy waves, preventing cracking and tissue damage

Close-up of a multicolored mantis shrimp

The peacock mantis shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus) has powerful, hammer-like weaponry (outer tan and white limbs, folded with bulbous orange clubs tucked underneath) used to pulverize hard-shelled prey.

Andrew Thirlwell/Moment/Getty Images

By Jake Buehler

Mantis shrimp are famous for their ultrafast, powerful punches used to dispatch prey.