Fennec Fox

So far, our journey through the wonders of the natural world has taken us to the shallow reefs and the depths of the abyss. Now it’s time to leave the ocean for an environment that couldn’t be more different. Get ready to dry off- really dry off- with a stop in the blistering deserts of and a visit to my favorite animal of all, Vulpes zerda, better known as the Fennec Fox.

The Fennec Fox, Vulpes zerda, in all of its fluffy cuteness. Fluffing out its fur coat helps dissipate heat, keeping it cool even in the desert sun

This adorable ball of fluffy, bushy-tailed cuteness makes its home in the dry, arid regions of northern Africa and the Middle East, as far east as the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt and Kuwait, and as far South as Central Niger. The name ‘Fennec’ is take from the Arabic word fanak, which means “fox”. Perhaps not the most original name, but for some reason it just seems to fit. At only 16 inches from nose to rump, with another 12 inches made up of fluffy tail, and no more than three-and-a-half pounds, the Fennec is the smallest canid in the world, about the size of a housecat. In fact, it is so small that owls, a nuisance to most foxes, are mortal enemies; the Fennec’s main predator is a species of eagle owl.

The Eagle Owl is one of the largest predatory birds, and the Fennec Fox's main predator.

The Fennec is most at home in deserts, and in fact does very poorly in more fertile areas where many of its relatives flourish. However, life in such an environment is far from easy. Blistering heat by day becomes freezing cold by night. Rain and standing water are rare, and food supply suffers as a result. Even the landscape is treacherous, as strong winds can pick up and carry huge amounts of sand across vast distances, drowning out oases, smothering glens, and snuffing out entire communities in a phenomenon known as “marching dunes.”

A lonely wanderer in a barren wasteland, a Fennec Fox stands on the sandy flats of its desert home. Its sandy color serves to camouflage it well in this environment

In such a harsh environment, the little Fennec may seem hopelessly out of place, but not so. This animal proves that being small- and cute- doesn’t mean that you can’t be tough as well. The Fennec is, in fact, a survival expert that would put Bear Gryllis to shame. Packed into its tiny little body are multiple anatomical features perfectly designed to deal with the challenges of desert living.

Taking a break from a fast-paced life, a Fennec pauses to take a seat and recharge. Moments of stillness like this are rare for this hyperactive little critter

The most obvious features of the Fennec are its enormous ears. Each one can be almost 6 inches, and their combined width is almost equal to the entire fox’s body length. As one would expect, the Fennec has very sharp hearing, which can detect and triangulate a beetle moving beneath several inches of sand. But the ears also serve another feature; thermoregulation, the animal version of climate control. The Fennec’s ears contain a dense network of blood vessels nestled in the thin skin, which are actually visible if one were to shine a light through them. If the Fennec begins to overheat, it simply turns its ears to face the wind or moves them out of the sun. This cools the blood flowing through them, which then flows through the rest of their body and decreases their internal temperature. Alternatively, if they start to get too cold, they simply hold their ears towards the sun, warming the blood supply in them and raising their internal temperature.

A Fennec stands poised, its ears perked and alert for any sounds of movement. The pink coloration of the ears is due to their rich blood supply

All in all, the Fennec’s ears are pretty remarkable structures. Aside from looking adorable, they can hear sounds no human could ever detect, and are a natural thermostat and air conditioning system. Not only that, but they serve an important role in communication, just like domestic dogs.

The desert is a dry place, especially the sandy expanses of Northern Africa. Here, the moving sands can swallow an oasis within hours, and there can be years or even decades between rainfalls. Water, the most essential element of life, is worth more than gold and fine jewels, and sources are so far apart that some animals migrate hundreds of miles to find them. But not the Fennec. This remarkable little animal is quite content to stay in one place, regardless of whether or not water exists nearby. In fact, some Fennecs go their whole lives without ever encountering a standing pool of water to drink from. 

Nose to the grind, a Fennec prowls for food. Training its ears forward, it can triangulate sounds with incredible accuracy

Nose to the grind, a Fennec prowls for food. Training its ears forward, it can triangulate sounds with incredible accuracy

So how do they get the water they need to survive? Simple: their food. Fennecs are omnivores, feeding on insects and small animals as well as eggs and desert fruit. The fruit, in particular, can house a surprising amount of moisture, which Fennecs ingest as they eat. They can also lap moisture that has accumulated on the walls of their tunnels in the form of dew, truly a resourceful method. And as many ways as they have found to collect water, they are not ones to lose it easily. The kidneys of the Fennec fox are designed to retain as much water as possible; while humans can lose a surprising amount of water when they urinate, the Fennec hardly releases a drop, as almost all of its waste is solid and dry.

A stretch after a catnap- or is it "foxnap?" Keeping limber is important for the agile little Fennec

The Fennec’s fluffy cuteness is actually another tool for its survival. One would think that such luxurious fur would be incredibly uncomfortable and contribute to overheating. But not so. The Fennec’s coat is a very pale sandy color, partially for camouflage, but also to deflect heat from the sun. This, coupled with its layered makeup, turns this little fox’s outfit into the ultimate sportswear, designed to prevent heat from passing through from any direction. Even in harsh sunlight, heat simply bounces off the near-white fur, but it also traps the Fennec’s heat inside so that it stays warm and toasty, even in the frigid depths of the desert night.

If you’ve ever tried walking down the sidewalk in the heat of summer without shoes or socks, you’ve probably regretted it. Rock is a natural heat absorber, and can retain it for long periods of time. In the desert, this problem is even worse. Sand is nothing more than ground-up rock, and in the blistering heat of the unimpeded sun, the dunes of Africa are positively scorching. But the Fennec can run across these sweltering lands without any trouble, because they actually have natural shoes! Their paws are thickly-furred, which covers their soft pads like protective booties to shield the sensitive skin from hot sand. But the fur is not so thick that it impedes their grip, so they can still scamper along rocks with speed and confidence. This is one reason why they are so difficult to catch, or even find in the wild.

Sweltering sun, wind-tossed sand, and scorching dunes are no problem for this little trekker! Squinting its eyes allows the fennec's long lashes to block out any debris

The Fennec’s simplest answer to dealing with heat, however, is just to avoid it. The Fennec is nocturnal, and spend most of the day sleeping in deep burrows or basking in the shade. It is not until night falls that they become active, and their thick fur helps protect them from the chill that overtakes the deserts with the setting of the sun. By this time, many larger animals have retreated to their own dens, which also helps these diminutive foxes avoid the majority of predators.

Fennecs are hunters themselves, and while they are too small to attack anything larger than a small rabbit, they are still effective in their own right. Their eyes are better-suited to low light conditions than some of their cousins, but their true means of locating prey are their ears. When foraging, Fennecs will periodically stop and stare at the ground, slightly tilting their heads from side to side. This seemingly-perplexed posture is actually a state of intense concentration, when they strain their ears to pick up the faint sounds of prey from beneath the sand or under cover of brush.

A Fennec fox out and about on a hunting foray. In the glow of a human lamp, the reflective layer in its eyes causes them to shine

Under the ground is no safe place for prey. Fennecs are accomplished diggers, able to tunnel twenty feet in one night, and down to a buried insect in mere moments. Burrowing beetles and their larvae are a favorite snack. They are also accomplished above-ground predators. A Fennec can leap two feet high and forward twice as far, allowing them to pounce on prey from a distance before they are aware of its presence. This trait also serves them well in escaping their own predators. Fennecs have been known to take mice, birds, and even small rabbits, and also store any leftovers in their dens for later. However, they are not entirely carnivorous, and will also feed on fruits, soft leaves and grasses, and even some nuts when they can find them.

A Fennec forages amidst the scrub. While it will happily capture any small prey it finds, the leaves of plants are just as welcome for this little opportunist

The Fennec has its own predators to avoid. Although hunting at night lets its avoid some of the more obvious killers in the African desert, it puts this little fox in the sights of its most common enemy, eagle-owls. These predators belong to the same genus as the horned owls of America, and are easily strong enough to carry a little fox to their deaths. But these brutes are the only predatory species that seems to pose a true threat; the Fennec is so quick on its feet and hides so well that few other animals are capable of catching it!

Fennecs are outwardly similar to many other vulpines around the world, but there are actually many differences between them. The Fennec has fewer chromosome pairs than other foxes (32 as opposed to the 35 to 39 in others), so interbreeding is impossible. It also lacks the musk glands other species possess, and as such does not have as pungent of an odor. But it is in their behavior where Fennecs stand out. Most fox species are solitary, only interacting during breeding season. But Fennecs are actually quite social, and have complex group structures.

A Fennec stands watch at the entrance to its burrow, calling loudly to advertise its ownership. This den may extend far below the surface

Fennecs mate for life, and they can live up to fourteen years in captivity, though lifespan in the wild is unclear. Groups (also called ‘skulks’ or leashes’) are usually based around a mated couple and their offspring, sometimes from different litters. Male Fennecs, or ‘reynards’, grow more aggressive towards others near the mating season when the females, or ‘vixens’, start to show signs of readiness, but for the rest of the year they are quite tolerant of one another. Young Fennecs (‘kits’) are slow to leave their parents, often remaining well after the next litter is born. This is in sharp contrast to other fox species, where the kits often leave as soon as they are able, and adults only take a mate for a season before moving on the following year. Fennecs can construct very elaborate tunnel systems to house their families, with those dug into properly-sturdy ground encompassing well over 100 square meters with more than a dozen entrances. If conditions are favorable, different family groups may even start to intersect their underground ‘mansions’ if they are close enough together. However, if the sand is too loose to support such elaborate matrixes, the burrows are much simpler, usually just deep holes with a single chamber and entrance.

Two Fennec kits test their wobbly new legs in the big, big world. At this young age, their ears have yet to grow to the extreme proportions of their parents

Fennecs are highly-vocal, and use a wide variety of sounds to communicate. Their most common, and well-known, vocalization is a high-pitched squeaking, generally used to communicate excitement or happiness. They can also bark, though it is much higher in pitch compared to other foxes and can sound more like a chirping. Purring like a cat when contented is common, and when threatened they can actually produce rather intimidating snarls and growls for such a small animal. Visual cues also make up a good part of communication, especially revolving around the ears and tail. Flattening of the ears shows fear or submission, pinning them back indicates aggression, and perking them up and forward is a sign of curiosity and excitement.

Baring its small- but sharp!- teeth, this young Fennec's message is clear; "Get back! This is my hole! Mine!!!"

Fennecs also hold the distinction of being the only fox species that is considered truly suitable for domestication. With their small size and timid nature, they get along well with many other domestic animals and are unlikely to show aggression, preferring to hide from confrontation instead. Tidy animals by nature, they are easily litter-trained, and their lack of a musk gland means that they do not give off the pungent and offensive odors that other vulpines are known for. Being so small (and positively adorable to boot) adds a real charm to these animals. They are highly active when they grow comfortable, and they love to dig, so exercise and a properly-fortified enclosure are key.

Fennecs can adapt well to captivity, although this one seems a bit unsure about the feel of new carpet under its paws. Though timid at first in new homes, their boundless energy makes itself apparent once they grow comfortable

As small and elusive as it is, studying Fennecs in the wild can be difficult. The frequency of sightings indicates that they are in no danger of extinction for the foreseeable future, though they are trapped for their fur and for the pet trade. With the limited number of studies made into observing Fennecs in their natural habitat, most of what we know about their behavior is based on individuals in captivity. And while it is likely that the behaviors exhibited in zoo enclosures mimic their behavior in the wild, it is difficult to say for certain. Many people consider proper studies into the species to be long overdue.

A tender moment between a Fennec reynard and vixen. Displays of affection between these little animals are common sights

Regardless of whether or not any extensive research into wild Fennecs is ever undertaken, several things are plain. Fennecs are obviously fascinating little animals. They thrive in an environment that would test any human to the limit. They are intelligent and sociable animals, and enjoy the company of others. They are inquisitive, playful, and eager to explore their environment, but temper it with a healthy dose of caution that helps them to survive in a world filled with danger. And they are without a doubt one of the most adorable creatures on the planet!

It's not easy being so cute! But a patch of soft sand makes for a perfect resting place!

The Fennec is truly a beautiful testament to the creativity and beauty of God’s creation. And, God willing, it will be around to entertain and delight us for a long time to come.

The Vampire Squid

In the first issue of Miracles of Life, we explored the shallow seas of the world to discover the wonders of the Mantis Shrimp. For this issue, however, we’ll be going deeper. Much deeper. Like, 3500 feet (1060 meters) deeper. And why are we going so deep? Simple. The subject of this issue can only be found in the cold, dark depths of the oceans. Meet Vampyroteuthis infernalis, the “Vampire squid from Hell.”

Vampyroteuthis infernalis, the Vampire Squid. In this image, the squid's eye (the largest of any animal relative to body size) is clearly visible, a brilliant blue in the lights of a deep-sea submersible.

The Vampire squid, despite the name, does not feed on blood. Neither is it a true squid. This bizarre cephalopod possesses some traits more akin to octopi, others that resemble squids or cuttlefish, and still other features that are not present in either group. Vampyroteuthis is, in fact, the last remaining species in an order called Vampyromoprhida, a group which is closer to octopi than squid, but is still separate from both. The Vampire Squid typically grows to about a foot in length, and is found in deep temperate and tropical waters worldwide. Evolutionists refer to the Vampire Squid as a “living fossil”, unchanged for millions of years. As a creationist myself, I view it instead as a testament to an ability to survive the cataclysmic changes after the Flood which claimed its bretheren, and a fantastic example of the creativity of God.

Feeding tendril deployed, a Vampire squid flexes its cloak in the hopes of snaring a meal. Floating scraps again, or will a passing shrimp provide a treat?

The Vampire squid has rarely been seen alive by humans, so little is known about its behavior beyond what has been observed from submersibles and ROVs. The main reason for this is its chosen habitat. Nearly all specimens that have been encountered or collected came from the aphotic (“lightless”) zone of the ocean, at a depth of between 2,000 and 3,500 feet (1242-2174 meters). Water pressure increases by one atmospheric value every ten meters, so by the time one reaches the beginnings of the Vampire squid’s preferred range, they are under a pressure more than 120 times greater than at the surface. A human body would be instantly crushed, so the only means of accessing such depths is in a heavily-reinforced submersible.

A juvenile Vampire squid. At this stage of its life, it has yet to attain the elongate arms of an adult, and its body and fins are shorter

At this depth, oxygen levels plummet to far below normal, as nearly all oxygen from above has been consumed by bacteria feeding on organic matter, and oxygen-rich currents flow even deeper still. This leaves an in-between area known scientifically as an oxygen minimum zone (OMZ), or “shadow zone”. As oxygen is essential to life, few creatures are capable of surviving here, and this shadow zone is a barren, empty place, even in comparison with the rest of the deep. Few advanced life forms are capable of surviving here, but the Vampire squid is found almost no-where else.

Adrift in a vast, empty expanse, a Vampire squid spreads its arms to unfurl its cloak of skin. This membrane is primarily used as a net for capturing food, be it detritus or small invertebrates

So, how does Vampyroteuthis survive in a place where so few animals can? The answer is in its body plan, which is radically different from any other living cephalopod and designed to maximize their usage of the minimal resources available. The blood of a Vampire squid is not red, but a deep inky blue. The red pigment in human blood comes from hemoglobin, our oxygen-binding molecule. Vampire squids do not have hemoglobin in their blood, but hemocyanin. While hemoglobin is bonded to blood cells, hemocyanin drifts directly within the hemolymph (the invertebrate equivalent of plasmic blood), which increases its efficiency astronomically. No other cephalopod possesses such a concentration of hemocyanin, and this together with the Vampire squid’s enormous and highly-absorbent gills allows it to survive in water with oxygen saturation as low as 3%!

Breathing in water that would choke other life is just grand, but oxygen isn’t everything. Animals need food to survive, and while the Vampire squid can cope with life in the shadow zone, few other animals can. This scarcity of available food poses another very real challenge, but it is one that the Vampire squid is well-equipped to deal with. In order conserve energy, its metabolic rate is the lowest of any other deep-sea cephalopod, so they can make the most of every calorie they gain from prey. This also means that the Vampire squid is generally very sluggish, hanging motionless in the water or drifting along with lazy flaps of its rear fins.

Despite its fearsome appearance, the Vampire squid poses no threat to humans. One of the feeding tendrils can be seen in this image, extended to search for food

Because they do not move with speed a great deal, the muscles of Vampyroteuthis are weak and gelatinous. This would appear to be a problem, and until recently science believed the same. But encounters with living Vampire squids have proven otherwise. Despite their flabby appearance, the Vampire squid is able to move with remarkable precision and agility and can maintain its buoyancy without any apparent effort. Examination of its body revealed why; a Vampire squid’s tissue contains high levels of ammonia, which mimic the density of seawater. Its body also contains a highly-developed statocyst, an organ similar to a human’s inner ear that contains a small lump of mineralized deposits and numerous sensitive hairs to detect its position and orientation. This allows the Vampire squid to move with grace and elegance belying its appearance.

Vampire squids feed primarily on marine snow, particles of organic waste suspended in water, which they gather using extendable filaments, ball up with mucus, and pass into their mouths using the pliable tooth-like projections lining their arms. These structures, called cirri, may appear imposing, but are actually too soft and fleshy to be used as weapons. As well as scavenging, Vampyroteuthis is also a predator of small invertebrates such as copepods and isopods. When a filament makes contact with a living meal, the squid’s behavior changes, and it begins moving with greater speed and agility as it circles the target. After gauging the distance, the squid darts forward, enveloping the hapless victim in the cloak-like folds of webbing stretched between its arms. Once inside, the prey is passed by the cirri to the squid’s concealed beak and devoured.

An intimidating sight as a Vampire squid flares its arms to display its cirra. Though they may appear sharp, these appendages are more akin to fingers than actual teeth

The Vampire squid, like all creatures, must also avoid becoming food itself. Although it is one of the few advanced life forms in the shadow zones, it is not the only one, and visitors from other depths sometimes make brief forays that can end disastrously for an unsuspecting squid. Many deep-sea creatures are equipped with elaborate defenses, but the Vampire squid has taken the art of predator deterrence to a new level.

Sensing a threat, this vampire squid begins retracting its sensory tendril as its arms start to curl back over itself. The two white patches just before its fins are photoreceptors, a form of primitive light-sensing eye

Unlike many shallow-water cephalopods, Vampyroteuthis does not have an ink sac or the ability to change color. However, the tips of its tentacles and two large, circular patches on the rear of its body contain colonies of bacteria that produce light when flushed with oxygen, a phenomenon called bioluminescence. These special light-producing centers are known as photophores, and they are common in many deep-sea creatures. When a Vampire squid is threatened, it throws its arms back to draw the mantle of skin connecting them up over its body like a cloak while baring its cirri, suddenly appearing to change shape from a simple squid to a massive, billowing mass with rows of spike-like teeth. At the same time, its tentacles flash brilliantly, while the photophores on its body begin glowing and take on the appearance of eyes, distracting attention away from its real head.

With its arms curled back, the squid's mantle conceals its vulnerable head. The large circles are not eyes, but photophores that serve as decoys which the squid can expand and contract at will

This sudden and frightening display can be enough to deter many attackers. Such a transformation is quite unnerving, and since the Vampire squid continues to flail and writhe its arms about, an attacker will find it hard to pick a target. This gives the squid the chance to flee, and it makes good use of it. Surprisingly, it can sprint at considerable speeds, up to two body lengths per second, using a combination of fin-beating, jet-propulsion, and pulsations of its cloak, though it can only do so for about five seconds. 

A frontal view of a Vampire squid in the midst of its threat display, a posture some call the "pineapple". Faced with such a fearsome sight, many predators will quickly back down

However, if a predator is not put off, the Vampire squid has another defense. When bumped by a persistent attacker the squid actually releases clouds of phosphorescent mucus strewn through with clumps of luminescent bacteria from its tentacles into the surrounding water, creating a pyrotechnic display can last for several minutes. Some predators will be frightened off by the flashes of light and seek to avoid having any of the slime adhere to their own bodies. Others will attack the clouds, mistaking them for potential food. In either case, the attacker’s attention is diverted, and the Vampire squid slips away unseen.

Only in total darkness, without artificial lighting, can the true spectacle of the Vampire squid's luminescent defense be appreciated. Waving in the gloom, its tentacles distract and confuse attackers, while its eyespots seem to glare menacingly

Most of what we know about Vampire squids is based around examinations of dead specimens and brief encounters with living individuals. However, there is only so much a corpse can tell, and a disturbed squid rarely sticks around for long. Because of this, much of the behavior of the Vampire squid remains a mystery. We can only guess as to how they attract mates, or where they lay their eggs. But what little we do know paints a fascinating picture of an animal so bizarre, so alien, that it is hard to believe it is even from our world.

An enigma that may never be fully understood, the Vampire squid seems oddly at home in the alien world of the deep see, a place so close and yet so far out of reach to most humans

The oceans are vast, covering over seventy percent of our planet, and in total they make up more than ninety-five percent of all inhabitable space on earth. Yet we have barely scratched the surface of their exploration. Less than one percent of the ocean has been mapped and explored, and new species are discovered with every dive to the depths. With so much left unexplored, who knows what may still lurk in the depths, waiting to be discovered?

Only time will tell…

A picture of grace and elegance, the Vampire squid hovers effortlessly in the expanse, perfectly posed in the lights of a sub for a perfect shot

The Mantis Shrimp

   I've always been fascinated by animals. Nature is a truly wondrous thing. And today, I'd like to introduce you all to one of the most incredible and mind-boggling creatures on the planet: the Mantis Shrimp.

Odontodactylus scyllarus, the Peacock Mantis Shrimp

   Mantis shrimps, despite the name, are not true shrimps at all, but a separate group of crustaceans called Stomatopods. These animals generally grow between six and twelve inches long, though some species can reach nearly eighteen inches, and are found in waters throughout the world. Despite its small size, this animal holds several World Records, including most advanced eyes, strongest exoskeleton, and fastest punch.

The Mantis Shrimp's eyes are without doubt the most advanced of any animal known. The human eye is equipped with three different types (red, green, and blue) of color-receptive cone cells. The Mantis Shrimp's eyes have sixteen different types. This allows them to see a range of light and color that no other animal on Earth is capable of comprehending, well into ultraviolet and infrared, turning their world into what must be an unimaginable storm of color. 

   Each eye also has three separate focal points as opposed to our one. This means that each eye takes three separate images of an object from a slightly different angle at the same time, giving the mantis shrimp unparalleled depth perception, and these eyes can swivel independently to take in a wrap-around view, or focus together for even better clarity. These eyes are so massive that the mantis shrimp has a highly-enlarged cluster of optic nerve endings that form a series of ganglia (basically micro-brains) to help it absorb all that data.

The eyes of a Peacock Mantis Shrimp, with a clear view of the three focal points

   If any of you are lost by this point, let me simplify. Every color you think you see is actually just a mixture of three different colors, and you can only see an object from two slightly-different angles at once (that's what gives you depth perception). So imagine if your eyes could see depth and distance three times better, and that you were capable of seeing more than five times the basic colors you can see now. For a human, the end result is a fried brain; we just can't handle that much raw data. So then add a cluster of tiny little mini-brains whose sole purpose is to control your eyes. Then you'd have the visual power of a mantis shrimp. Pretty insane. These eyes drive the mantis shrimp's second claim to fame; the fastest punch in the world. 

   Mantis shrimps come in two varieties; the first possess sharp, stabbing forelimbs which they use to impale softer-bodied prey, and are known as "spearers". These make up the majority of mantis shrimp species, and can strike prey in less than 0.025 seconds. 

A Zebra Mantis Shrimp (Lysiosquillina maculata) impales its prey

These species can strike very quickly, but the second variety of mantid shrimps are faster still. These variants possess shorter forelimbs which end in rounded, club-shaped tips with only small spines, and are known as "smashers". This group includes the Peacock Mantis Shrimp, Odontodactylus scyllatus, the most well-known species of stomatopod. Unlike their spearing cousins, smasher mantis shrimps target hard-bodied prey such as crabs, snails, and oysters, and they use one of the most terrifying weapons in nature to do so.

A Peacock Mantis Shrimp displays its smashing arms, prepped for action

   The arms of a smashing mantis shrimp are driven by a complex spring-action system of muscles and tendons. Once the smasher has locked on to its target, it darts out to deliver a strike of incredible speed and force. The strike itself is a rapid unfurling of the arms to drive the club-shaped tips towards prey at a speed of nearly 23 meters per second, roughly the same acceleration as a .22-caliber bullet fired from a rifle. The resulting impact force has been measured at 1500 newtons, powerful enough to crack an oyster and shatter aquarium glass up to a quarter-inch thick, but it was only recently that the true power of this blow was realized. 

A Peacock Mantis Shrimp demonstrates its punching technique on a snail

   The sheer speed of the movement forces water away from the arms, creating tiny vacuums known as cavitation bubbles. As soon as these bubbles form, the water pressure forces them to collapse, and they do so with such force that they produce a brief flash of light and a burst of heat of several thousand Kelvin. To put that in perspective, the surface of the Sun is about 5800 Kelvin, but the flash passes too quickly to be noticed without advanced equipment. The force of the collapse also produces a concussive shock wave against the surface of a target, so that the victim is struck twice; first by the arms, and immediately after by the cavitation blast. Even on the off chance that the mantis shrimp misses its target, the bubbles will still form and generate a shock wave capable of stunning or mortally wounding prey, giving the predator time to correct its aim for a second strike.

The end result of a Mantis Shrimp Boxing Match. Final score: Shrimp 1, Mussel screwed

   The idea of a simple crustacean attacking with such phenomenal force seems ludicrous, and it raises a very obvious question. With such incredible power, how does the mantis shrimp avoid harming itself? One would think that such a powerful blow would shatter its arms, but the Peacock Mantis Shrimp has been observed lobbing dozens of punches in rapid succession. The answer lies in the structure of its arms. In addition to an incredibly-thick layer of chitin (the material most crustacean shells are formed from), the surface of a mantis shrimp's clubs also contain layers of hydroxylapatite, a form of crystallized calcium that is stronger than any substance that mankind has yet to synthesize. This combination of minerals makes the arms incredibly resilient to fractures, and while the rigorous motion does wear the shell down over time, it is replenished and strengthened each time the mantis shrimp molts. This composition is so durable that scientists and engineers have begun researching it in the hopes of creating new materials for industrial use, and perhaps even advanced body armor.

A diagram of the cellular structure of a mantis shrimp club, next to a microscope image. Courtesy Kisalius Labs

A Peacock Mantis Shrimp, proudly displaying its punchy arms of death

    With such impressive weaponry and destructive potential, it is easy to label the mantis shrimp as a mindless, brutal killer, a sort of invertebrate psychopath. And its aggressive behavior certainly seems to reinforce this. Those who keep these creatures in captivity quickly learn that the mantis shrimp is not a community-friendly choice for aquaria, as it will readily attack any other denizens. But looks can be deceiving; the mantis shrimp is actually quite intelligent. Although they are territorial, individuals that take up burrows in close proximity to each other quickly learn to recognize their neighbors, and will behave less aggressively towards those that they are familiar with, though they will not tolerate interlopers. And there is a gentle side to this creature, one that makes itself clear in the reproductive cycle of several species. Mantid shrimps are among the only invertebrates that mate for life.

It isn't just the other tank-dwellers that are at risk from a captive mantis shrimp. This image beautifully details how they earned the nickname "thumb-splitter"

   A mantis shrimp can live for more than twenty years, and as soon as it reaches maturity, it begins seeking out a potential partner. While some species will take a new partner every year, there are others who, once they find a mate, will begin a true partnership. The two individuals, male and female, will share the same burrow together throughout the year, altering their patterns of behavior to better synchronize with one another. And when the time comes to breed, they work together to support both themselves and their offspring. In some of these pair-bonds, the male will take over hunting for the both of them, bringing enough food back to feed both himself and his mate. In others, he will actually share the burden of carrying the eggs, taking on half of their young himself. And in these species, the bond does not end with the close of the breeding season; the two will stay together for the rest of their lives, up to twenty years. While such monogamy is common in mammals and birds, it is virtually non-existent in invertebrates, and it is just one more amazing attribute that sets the mantis shrimp apart.

The Peacock Mantis Shrimp is one of several species that engage in monogamous pair-bonds. These two, caught in the act of breeding, will remain together for the remainder of their lives

   All in all, the mantis shrimp is truly a miracle of nature, and a wonder of the animal kingdom. It can see a range of color and light that no other living thing can comprehend. It strikes down its prey with punches too fast to see, and generates the energy of a star with each blow. It naturally grows a shell that is stronger than anything man has yet to achieve. And yet, for all its killing prowess, it possesses an intelligence greater than one would expect, a social life of surprising complexity and a capacity for partnership and loyalty that puts many humans nowadays to shame. Truly, the mantis shrimp is one of nature's most fascinating creatures, and yet another example of the incredible work of God.