Written by This colorfully uncommon creature comes to us from the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It gets its name of peacock mantis shrimp because it resembles a mantis in the front with a peacock party in the back. It’s rather large eyes, floating above its head, are among the most impressive in all of creaturedom. They have 16 color-receptive cones which means they can detect 10 times more color than a human. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, they can also move each eye independently which helps them detect and avoid predators.
Though only about four inches long, they’re one of the strongest animals in the ocean. They’re quite the fighters and will punch their prey with the force of a bullet from a 22 caliber gun. As pretty as they are, they wouldn’t make a great addition to an aquarium because their punch is so powerful it could actually break the glass. A bit of homebody, the mantis shrimp doesn’t like receiving visitors and is extremely aggressive with intruders. Considering the lethal power of its punch, it’s best to avoid visiting a mantis shrimp without calling first. Though even then, it’s extremely unlikely your visit will be welcomed.
Some mantis shrimp species are rather romantic, meeting their dream shrimp and staying together for life, which is up to 20 years. These lovebirds share the same burrow, protect their eggs, and help each other in hunting. When particularly aroused during mating rituals, the mantis shrimp will start to fluoresce. This means, you guessed it, they have glow-in-the-dark sex, which more than qualifies them as an uncommon creature. I’m keeping track of all your suggestions, so if you have any unusual creatures you’d like to see doodlewashed in the future, shout them out in the comments!
About the Doodlewash
M. Graham watercolors: Pyrrol Red, Perylene Maroon, Cobalt Teal, Cobalt Blue, Quinacridone Gold, Neutral Tint and Titanium White Gouache. Sennelier L’Aquarelle: Opera Rose. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon black ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal
An all seeing, techno color, glow in the dark creature with a roving eye and a mean streak? All in one? Fascinating. Natures bounty astounds. Thanks Charlie. 🙂
Haha! Yes! I should have just used that summation…hehe…thanks perfect! Thanks Susan!! 💕
Wow, a monogamous arthropod! That’s pretty cool as is your lovely, multicolored doodlewash! <3
Hehe… Just some of them I guess… the rest are players as usual. Lol Thanks so much, Teresa!! 😃💕
She’s adorable. Would wear that design as an earring. <3
Awww thanks a cool idea!! Wish I knew how to make earrings. 😊 Thanks so much, Sabiscuit! 😃💕
Spectacular doodlewash, Charlie – a masterpiece with all those colours! Love the turquoises toward the back/peacock end. Who would have expected such a beautiful-looking creature to be a thug!? Blimey. I shan’t pick a fight with a Peacock Mantis Shrimp. Another new one to me, though. Fantastic!
I know! This one is a totally thug! Always punching everything in sight. Apparently there’s another version that doesn’t punch, but stomps with the same force, so mantis shrimp are all pretty much thugs really. Definitely shouldn’t pick a fight! 😉lol Thanks Jacob!!
Ha, imagine losing a fight to a four-inch sea creature. I’d probably have a hard time getting over that.
Yeah… There’s really no way to live that one down. Lol
What an amazing creature! I never heard of these. Thanks for the intimate details of their life!
Thanks! So happy you liked this!! 😀
The Peacock mantis shrimp
is no wimp.
It’s rear sways
while the front prays
that it’s glow
doesn’t go.
4 inches is enough
to strut it’s stuff
Size doesn’t matter when you can glow! Lol Awesome pome, Judy!! 😉👍🏻
Another amazing creature…and such a detailed rendering! It indeed glows… but how do they know how many colors it sees? (K)
Thanks Kerfe!! 😃💕 I guess since humans only typically have 3 types of color receptive cones and these guys have 16 kinds…they (whoever they are) just did some math and lots of assuming! Lol But I don’t think anyone could get close enough to actually ask a mantis shrimp how many colors it sees without getting punched in the face!
Incredible drawing Charlie, and I loved the narrative.
Thanks so much Sharon!! 😃💕 Glad you liked this… I picked this guy for the visual references alone that I found and was hoping there would be something interesting to share when I went to make a post! 😊 hehe…luckily there was!
What a beauty you’ve created. Love all the colors.
Thanks Teri! 😃 I really think I could have used every color in my palette on this one. They’re so wild…fun to doodlewash!
Wow, wow, what an extremely colorful critter and you doodlewash is fantastic Charlie!
Thanks so much Cathe! 😃💕 Every so often I have to break out of brown, white, and black fur and paint something exploding with color!! lol This was that day! 😊
Charlie, you have found another that is new to me…..this shrimp has so many unusual talents/ skills. Thank you for sharing
Thanks Rebecca! 😃💕 I hadn’t heard of this one either. It’s been a fun month of discovery so far! Hehe
Yes, so odd I had to look it up, watched a few video clips, that is a strong punch, it ruined a crab in no time……poor crab it had no chance, stuck in a tank with this shrimp. I certainly learnt something new 😀
Yeah…as Jacob pointed out, they’re total thugs!! Lol Wouldn’t want to be caught in a tank with one for sure. Nature has some truly interesting defense measures it builds into these creatures!
Gosh no, it was brutal in the YouTube video
No I gotta find this video! 😳hehe
And so you shall http://youtu.be/U11DgbefmQQ this should take you there I hope?
Yep!! That’s terrifying! lol… they ARE thugs!! Well… thugs in peacock drag… but thugs nonetheless!!
Yes I think the crab would agree, a date of a different kind I guess😬
This one is really fascinating charlie! First the doodlewash is gorgeous, but such fascinating facts. Can you even imagine being able to see 10 times for color! Lucky shrimp!
Thanks Jodi!! 😃😃💕 I can’t imagine seeing this many colors… I think I’d go crazy trying to paint them all!! 😳lol
I know. Right!!?? 😝🎨
Love the color and detail
Thanks so much sis!! 😃💕hehe
I never knew about this mantis peacock shrimp! Thanks for sharing lovely illustration and the fact about this rare shrimp 🙂 Learn something everyday 😀
Yay! I’m learning thing too on this adventure! Glad you liked this one Nancy!! 😃💕
I had not heard of this species. Thanks for the back story and I love the drawing. Thanks!
Thanks so much, Damita!! 😃💕 I’m so glad you enjoyed this one!
I can see you publishing a book. An animal or nature book. Your illustrations and write ups are so good.
Aww thank you Carmel! 😃💕I would like to make a book one day! It’s definitely on my bucket list!! 😊
I meant to add also that I could totally see this turning into an abstract painting. Really liking the colors and shapes and the pops of black & white to pop it.
You should try it!! Hehe…you’re much more masterful at abstract than I am! I would just end up making it look like this again! 😊Lol
lol, no you wouldn’t. I like your abstracts! Gorgeous colors here.
Amazing use of color!!
Thanks so much Eileen!! 😃💕 I’m glad you liked this!!
OH my! A boxing shrimp that glows when it’s feeling randy! It’s quite beautiful but pretty darn strange. 🙃
Lol… great description, Nancy… I should have you write these! Love it! Thanks so much!! 😀💕
Charlie, this is fabulous! I love the strong colors and the details. Wow!
Awww thanks Rachel!! I always have to break into a little color after so many brown animals. Hehe… Glad you liked this! 😃💕
I’m really curious about the physics behind the punch! I have to look that up.. It may be an interesting investigation for my students! Do humans eat them? I can’t imagine trying to catch them or to cook them! Lol. And glow-in-the-dark sex sounds like fun! 😜
Humans eat everything! lol Yes, Mantis Shrimp is on the menu in some parts as a sushi topping I think. No idea how they’re caught. And yeah… the punch deserves more research… not sure of the physics on that one and my fact-finding is fast and furious! lol And yes… haha… glow-in-the-dark sex is definitely intriguing! 😉
I just did a quick search and found a scientist who is replicating the material that surround the punching club. Because it remains intact while punching, scientists are trying to create synthetic material as strong. With applications in aircraft and in body armor, looks like we can learn a lot from these color creatures. It’s amazing that they strike so quickly that the water around it actually boils! How fun!
Oh wow!! That’s super cool, Kari!! Thanks for sharing that!! I think these creatures have a lot of secrets humans would like to get their hands on! And the videos of these guys are amazing…they’re kind of cranky! Lol
Superb doodlewash :-)! I love their colours and their eyes are fascinating. I “met” them recently when I watched BBC’s “Great Barrier Reef”. Their punches and mating dances are quite fun to watch.
Thanks!! 😃💕 Yeah…they’re super interesting to watch. But I wouldn’t want to get in their way. That punch looks fierce!! Lol
Lol! I would definitely keep a safe distance 😀
Stunning painting, love the detail and color variations. As usual your subject’s background is as entertaining as it is informative. Fun piece.
Thanks so much, Haunani!! 😃💕 Glad you liked this one. It’s always fun when I get to break out lots of colors and play! Hehe
I love this. Biology and art are partners. Great job.
Thanks so much! Glad you liked this! 😃