Stomatopod Images

View Harpiosquilla harpax's deadly sickle claw! (WARNING! Rated R for Violent language below!)

This spearer feeds mostly on fishes and sports twin raptorial appendages half its body length. It's a voracious eater that can catch fishes nearly its own size and devour it in minutes. This stomatopod rapidly enfolds its prey and hugs it tight, using its mandibles and hooked maxillipeds to tear into its hapless victim. Researchers have seen this mantis shrimp completely devour a fish half its size in 4 minutes! Its claw has opposable spines, which you can view by mousing over the image above.

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