stomatopod

Everyday

A stomatopod is a mantis shrimp, a sea animal related to crabs and shrimps (a crustacean) that hunts by striking or stabbing prey with super-fast front claws. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons stomatopods are famous for amazing facts: their punch is one of the fastest movements of any animal and can crack shells and even aquarium glass, and their eyes see colours and kinds of light that humans cannot. They live in warm shallow seas, often in burrows. The word is a scientific name used for the whole group.

Examples

• A stomatopod can punch faster than a bullet leaves some guns. tree →
• Stomatopods are also called mantis shrimps. tree →
• The stomatopod smashed the crab's shell with its claw. tree →
• Scientists study stomatopod eyes, which see polarised light. tree →
• Stomatopods live in burrows on coral reefs. tree →
• Divers saw a colourful stomatopod peeping out of the sand. tree →
• Some aquariums keep stomatopods in very thick tanks. tree →

Note

Pronounced "STOM-uh-toh-pod" or "stoh-MAT-uh-pod". Plural: stomatopods. It is not a true shrimp and not a praying mantis; the name "mantis shrimp" just describes its shape. Scientific, not an everyday word.