Here we see the incredible Peacock Mantis Shrimp (odontodactylus scyllarus). Not a mantis or a shrimp and definitely not a peacock, but absolutely on our next Animal Sweater!
They are stomapods, found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans that like to munch on crabs and mollusks. What makes this rainbow coloured variety so fascinating are it’s dactyl clubs or “smashers” that it uses to deliver devastating blows to its prey. They can swing these appendages with an acceleration 10,000 times the force of gravity- faster than a bullet!
They have the most complex eyes in the Animal Kingdom. Humans have only 3 colour receptor cones, (green, red, blue), mantis shrimp have 12-16! They can see so many more colours than us, including ultraviolet and polarised light.
Their eyes are on two stalks that can swivel independently giving them trinocular vision! This makes them great at depth perception, spotting camouflaged predators and locating prey. Their rainbow coloured appearance helps them communicate with other mantis shrimps, as well as camouflage in their coral home.
I knew I had to pull out all the stops to shimpress you with this design. I hope you love all the embroidery details and hand cut fringing on the legs and tail!