The mantis shrimp is a fascinating creature that has reached an almost mythical status thanks to claims that it can crush or break human fingers with a single strike. This shrimp’s colorfulappearance and formidable hunting abilities have long captivated both scientists and aquarium hobbyists alike. But does the mantis shrimp truly live up to its notorious reputation for finger-breaking punches? Let’s dive deeper into the biology and abilities of these marine marvels to uncover the truth.
Mantis shrimps also known as stomatopods, are marine crustaceans that can be found in shallow tropical and subtropical waters around the world. There are over 450 species of mantis shrimp identified thus far, ranging in size from just a few inches to over a foot long.
These aggressive predators have two distinct types of front appendages that they use for hunting and self-defense
- Spearers – Have spiky appendages to stab and impale prey
- Smashers – Have club-like appendages to crack open shells and exoskeletons
Both types can deliver incredibly fast and forceful strikes with their front appendages. In fact, smashers can punch with the speed of a .22 caliber bullet! Now that’s fast.
Debunking the Myth: Can They Really Break Fingers?
The sheer speed and power with which mantis shrimps can unleash a strike has led many to conjecture that their claws could easily break a human finger. Some aquarists have even bestowed them the ominous moniker of “thumb splitters.”
But does real-world evidence support this idea that mantis shrimps can fracture fingers?
The Science Says No
While a strike from a mantis shrimp can certainly cause lacerations or other injuries to human skin and flesh, scientifically speaking, it is highly unlikely that one could break a bone as thick and sturdy as a finger.
Here are some key points that support this conclusion:
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Human finger bones are much larger, thicker, and denser than the exoskeletons of the shrimp’s natural prey.
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Mantis shrimp appendages close too quickly to transfer maximum force and are not shaped ideally to fracture bone.
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No empirical data exists demonstrating broken finger bones caused by mantis shrimps.
Dangers to Humans: What Are the Risks?
While finger breaking may not be a realistic outcome, humans should still exercise caution around mantis shrimps for the following reasons:
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They can deliver painful gashes and puncture wounds with their spear-like appendages.
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The blows can fracture wrists, hands, or ankles if improperly handled or accidentally struck.
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Risk of infection is high with claw-induced wounds if not properly treated.
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Can cause severe damage if they punch vulnerable areas like the eyes or throat.
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** psychological trauma** associated with an attack could occur.
So even though finger breaking is essentially a myth, mantis shrimps can still inflict harm on unwary humans. Proper handling techniques and avoidance of contact is highly advised.
Amazing Abilities & Adaptations
Even if the risks to humans have been overstated, mantis shrimps are nevertheless extraordinary creatures worthy of respect and admiration for their unique adaptations and capabilities:
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Incredibly complex vision – They have up to 16 color receptors (humans only have 3) allowing them to see colors unknown to us.
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Ultra-fast punch – The mantis shrimp’s punch is one of the fastest animal movements ever recorded, reaching speeds over 50 mph.
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Vicious power – They can generate 1,500 Newtons of force with a single punch, equaling a ** manufacturers of high-grade body armor.
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Deadly cavitation bubbles – The punch causes cavitation bubbles that implode and release tremendous heat, stunning prey.
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Stunning diversity – They display a dazzling array of colors and patterns, with some species even glowing in the dark.
The notion that a mantis shrimp punch can shatter human finger bones is not supported by scientific evidence. However, these marine marvels warrant both caution and appreciation from humans for their impressive natural weaponry. By better understanding the true capabilities of mantis shrimps based on facts rather than fiction, we can guard against potentially dangerous encounters. We also gain a deeper admiration for the mantis shrimp’s exceptional evolutionary adaptations that enable its success as an accomplished hunter. While our fingers are likely safe, a healthy respect for the mantis shrimp and its lethal arms is certainly warranted.
Antonio Lucas Sforcin Amaral
1 Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Biociências de Botucatu, Departamento de Zoologia, Botucatu, SP, Brasil. Find articles by
1 Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Biociências de Botucatu, Departamento de Zoologia, Botucatu, SP, Brasil. Find articles by
2 Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Departamento de Dermatologia e Radioterapia, Botucatu, SP, Brasil. Find articles by.
ALSA came up with the idea for the study, interviewed people, talked about the results, wrote the manuscript, and drafted the article. ALC oversaw the project and manuscript writing and gave final approval to the version that would be sent in. VHJ came up with the idea for the study and the structure of the manuscript, interviewed people, oversaw the project and the results of this study, talked about the final manuscript, and gave final approval to the version that would be sent in.
Mantis shrimps or siriboias are crustaceans belonging to the order Stomatopoda. They are known for their strong claws, which they use for defense and capturing their prey. They are split into two groups: the spearers, who pierce their prey with sharp projectiles, and the smashers, who hit their prey hard with powerful punches. Fishing people are very afraid of these animals, and there are many reports of people getting hurt by these crustaceans.
Twenty-three fishermen from Colony Z10 in Ubatuba, São Paulo state, Brazil were given a questionnaire about injuries to humans caused by these stomatopods. The literature on injuries to humans caused by these animals was also looked at.
The fishermen think that the mantis shrimp are dangerous and stay away from them because of that risk. We talk about five reports of people being hurt by these animals: four by their claws and one by their tail spikes.
We talk about first aid, how to avoid these situations, and what to do in them. We also suggest that educational leaflets be sent to the fishermen colonies.
Mantis shrimp are marine crustaceans that belong to the order Stomatopoda Latreille, 1817. They are also called siriboia, tamarutaca, tamburutaca, boxing shrimp, or squilla. “Siriboia” is an indigenous word formed by joining the words “si’ri” (crab) and “mboi” (snake/serpent) 1 . They are called “mantis shrimp” because their claws are raptorial and they attack their prey like a mantis (Insecta: Mantodea), which strikes with its forelegs. Mantis shrimps have a global distribution and occur in tropical and subtropical waters 2 , 3 , 4 . There are 43 species in Brazil, spread out along the coast from Amapá state (latitude 03º north) to Rio Grande do Sul state (latitude 30º south) [5, 6, 7, 8]. They belong to 10 families.
These animals are unique because they can attack prey with their second thoracic legs, which have been changed into raptorial claws (A and B) 9. Mantis shrimp are split into two groups based on the shape of their claws. The claws of each group do different things. The first group, called spearers, has claws with three to eleven spear-like projections that open when they get close to their prey and close when they reach it. So, they catch their prey and spear it with their claws, which pierce the prey’s body and stop it from running away (B, C, and E) 5–11 These animals can strike at speeds reaching 6 m/s (approximately 21 km/h) 12 . They usually occupy burrows in sandy sediments 13 , 14 .
The second group, called smashers (F), is made up of species whose claws have a big, hardened bump at the base that they use to hit their prey at speeds of up to 30 mph. six meters per second (108 kilometers per hour) and an impact force of 1500 Newtons (152 kg), which is the same speed as a 9mm pistol bullet 9, 15, 16, 17 These animals inhabit burrows in rocks and corals 12 , 13 , 14 , 18 .
Along with their claws, these stomatopods have two uropods, which are parts of the tail that make up the “caudal fan” (C). The uropods each have two sharp spikes on them (D) that can be used as weapons.
The fishermen are afraid of the “siriboia” when they are in their nets or walking in the water at low tide. The stomatopods are known as “thumb splitter shrimp” in some parts of the Caribbean, which shows how dangerous they are 19–20. These animals are difficult to observe. Further, the information on the injuries they cause to fishermen is limited 21 . Therefore, we aimed to identify and describe:
- Injuries that have already been written about or from unpublished data collected by experts on marine animal injuries
- An interview process was used to find out how often injuries happened in the fishermen’s colony Z10 in Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil.
A literature search was done to find reports of mantis shrimp injuries to humans that were written by health and/or zoological professionals who have worked in fishermen’s colonies. The reports were looked at to find out what happened and how the wound looked so that researchers could figure out how the injuries happen and what effects they can have.
It included peer-reviewed journal articles and notes that talked about stomatopods and how they interact with fishermen. It also included books about the topic written by researchers who have studied injuries caused by marine animals.
The municipality of Ubatuba is in the southeast of Brazil, on the north coast of São Paulo state (23°26′2′′ South, 45°5′9′′ West). It is in an area with open seas and estuaries 22 It was easier to get in touch with the fishermen in Ubatuba’s Z10 fishermen’s colony, which is why a stratified questionnaire was given there. Workers who were in the colony at the time of the interview were asked to answer the questions after giving their permission and confirming that they were fishermen who worked in the colony. Those who did not work as fishermen in the colony were excluded. The fishermen who met the same criteria as indicated by the interviewees were also interviewed.
Along with pictures of the animals to help with identification, the interviewer gave out a questionnaire that asked about the injuries caused by the stomatopods. The questions asked were as follows:
- Have you heard of siriboias/tamburutacas?
- Are siriboias/tamburutacas dangerous?
- Did you suffer from injuries due to siriboias/tamburutacas?
- If yes, how and where did it happen?
- Do you have any sequelae due to the injury?
- Do you know anyone who has been hurt by siriboias or tamburutacas?
The answers obtained were recorded through handwritten notes and counted at the end of the interviews. Even information that wasn’t directly related to the applied question was written down if it showed important facts about how the stomatopods and humans interacted. The results were improved by including descriptions of four cases of stomatopods hurting people that the authors had seen happen on other occasions. These cases add to the reliability of the fishermen’s answers to the questionnaire.
The authors were given permission by the Ethics Committee in Human Experimentation of Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, São Paulo State University, to study fishermen from the Fish Market of Ubatuba and the village of Picinguaba. Their registration number is CAAI 59887316. 5. 0000. 5411, report number 1. 759. 505 and by the Healthcare Department of Ubatuba, São Paulo.
All the 23 fishermen who were interviewed reported knowing the stomatopods. Also, everyone who was interviewed said they thought these animals were dangerous, even though none of them had been hurt or had any problems afterward. However, five fishermen (21. 7%) reported knowing people who had been injured by these crustaceans. In one of these cases, a fisherman around 50 years old used a fishing rod to catch a stomatopod from a sandy bottom (E). So he wouldn’t hurt himself, he held the animal by the claws as he tried to get it off the hook. However, it hit him in the hand with its tail, which made holes in the tail spikes that caused pain and bleeding. One of the interviewees said that the smaller specimens can be moved around by folding their abdomen in half so that the claws and uropod are touching. This makes it impossible for the specimens to hurt the hands.
Four reports of stomatopods hurting people have been written and seen in other places (20, 23). These reports show that fishermen should be careful around these animals.
Case 1: A 24-year-old fisherman was hurt while working with a fishing net in Salinópolis, Pará state, Brazil. The net was in a “curral,” which is a structure made of wood that traps fish and makes them easy to catch. He wasn’t paying attention to the stomatopod in the net when it hit him in the hand with its claws, damaging tissue and causing severe pain that lasted for about an hour. It hit him on the fifth left finger and the second right finger. He said he washed the area very well with soap and water, and in about a week, it was completely healed.
Case 2: The stomatopods hurt a 54-year-old fisherman three times on his hands while he was fishing for shrimp in Ubatuba, São Paulo state, Brazil. He said that the animal was easy to find in the fishing nets and that two injuries on his fingers had left scars on them (A). Besides that, he said he didn’t get any treatment for the wounds when they happened, and they didn’t heal for weeks 23.
Case 3: A 22-year-old fisherman in Ubatuba, São Paulo state, Brazil was hurt by a stomatopod while getting off the boat with a net full of fish. He stepped on something and felt intense pain in the medial malleolus of his right foot. Although he was unable to catch it, he said he saw the stomatopod because the water was clear there. The area bled heavily, and the wound persisted for months ( B). At the time of recording the interview, there was an extensive scar in the area 20 .
This case is about a 25-year-old biology student in Ubatuba, São Paulo state, Brazil. He hurt his left hand with a stomatopod while working with a specimen in the field (C). The claws cut deeply and caused a lot of bleeding, which led to an ulcer that healed in about three weeks. The animal was not collected for subsequent identification.
The interviews we conducted indicate that fishermen know how these crustaceans cause injuries. They stated that the claw is dangerous, and caution is necessary to avoid getting hurt. The findings showed that the stomatopods can hurt people when they are handled in fishing nets or rods, when they are stepped on in the sand, or when they are caught by hand. The spearers’ and smashers’ claws are very well shaped for catching prey, and they can hurt people.
The injury shown in C shows that these animals are very strong and fast. There is tissue loss in the area, but it is not possible to say for sure whether the wound was caused by a spearer or a smasher. In B, the wound looks deeper and has a round shape, which means it was hit with a lot of force. This suggests that it was likely caused by a specimen with smasher claws.
We got information about the injuries that was put together in a chart so that health professionals and researchers could easily read it.
There are no guidelines on prevention of injuries caused by the stomatopods, possibly because such incidents rarely occur. Based on the information we gathered for this study, we suggest the following way to treat stomatopod-related injuries:
When a MANTIS SHRIMP PUNCHES A HUMAN(it forking hurts!)
What happens if you get hit by a mantis shrimp?
If.you get hit by them.on a finger, not only will it hurt like crazy, it will also tear your skin open and even break a finger on children (or an adult if the finger is nor relaxed.or for some reason unable to flex to absorb the impact better, although this is far more rare). Mantis shrimps are not animals to be taken lightly.
Can mantis shrimp break aquarium glass?
Some larger mantis shrimp species have been known to break aquarium glass with their strikes. Additionally, their claws can deliver a powerful blow capable of causing deep cuts, puncture wounds, or even fractures in human skin. Can Mantis Shrimp Hurt You? Understanding the Potential Danger Can Mantis Shrimp Hurt You?
What is a mantis shrimp?
A mantis shrimp. (Dorothea OLDANI/Unsplash) The mantis shrimp is quite a fearsome foe. While they’re neither shrimp nor mantis, this marine crustacean, measuring about just 10 centimetres (4 inches) long, has incredible eyes that can see cancer, and a club-like hand that can throw the fastest punches in the ocean.
Are mantis shrimps causing human injuries?
The occurrence of injuries in the fishermen colony, Z10 located in Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil, through an interview process. A literature search was performed to look for reports of injuries in humans caused by mantis shrimps, recorded by health and/or zoological professionals, with experience in fishermen colonies.