Entry #2: Mantis Shrimp: creature, mystery, nightmare.

The Mantis Shrimp: This crustacean possess a very multicolored body that varies incredibly among their species. They are renowned for being ferocious and incredibly bold despite their growth average length of 2-7 inches.

As shown here, the typical image of a peacock Mantis Shrimp. They have multiple appendages that serve for cleaning, mobility, and for as an attack mechanism. Their legs act like a spring to launch towards their prey. This specific species of Mantis shrimp have what are known as two "bowler clubs" that they use for striking. The way in which their arms are retracted and extended are very similar to a spring-loaded trigger and they are known to have the fastest punch in the world. Such a punch is equated to the acceleration with the same velocity of a 22. caliber gun. From the mere impact of one of their strikes that can generate light and energy.They are the Bruce Lee of crustaceans. 

Here we can see the sheer awesome power the bowler club creating an underwater bubble. This is called a supercavitation. This occurs when their limbs moves so fast that the water actually boils around them as they extend their clubs to attack their prey. The bubble explodes and creates a second shock wave that will kill its prey even if it misses its target. Since the punch can be so devastating these beautifully destructive creatures are rarely held in aquariums behind glass because they can easily crack through inches of plated glass with their tiny clubs.

Despite their rainbow colored exterior that might give the impression they are strong, yet beautifully misunderstood creatures, they have a blood lust and will leave a quaking path of destruction, even if  it was a creature with no vicious intent happened to cross its path. Also, this is another reason they are not kept in aquariums with other sea-animals. They tend to try to murder everything in its surrounding if confined to a small space.

One last notable thing about this magnificent creature, is its capacity for observing colors. We humans have 3 color-receptive cones that allows us to see the colors red, green and blue. The mantis shrimp as up to 16 ( according to this website https://arthropoda.wordpress.com/category/arthropods/crustaceans/stomatopods-mantis-shrimp/) Other will argue that they only have twelve. Despite that dispute, this creature possesses the most complex sensitivity for colors in the animal kingdom, colors we can't even imagine nor comprehend. 

This image was taken from my favorite comic author The Oatmeal at http://theoatmeal.com/comics/mantis_shrimp