This peacock mantis shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus: 12 cms.) was carrying eggs, which she would protect, keep clean and oxygenate until they hatched. It should be added that the claws in which she was holding her eggs could be used as club weapons with one of the fastest strikes in the animal kingdom; over 10 metres per second. They have been known to break a diver's finger. It is most unwise to try to touch them - or to keep them in aquaria, as they are inclined to smash the glass. In any event, this individual was clearly a formidable mother! Photographed in Balinese waters, Indonesia.

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Size: 2416px × 2482px
Location: Bali, Indonesia
Photo credit: © Terence Dormer / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

Keywords: adventure, animal, bali, carrying, creation, diving, eggs, fastest, indonesia, kingdom, life, manta, mantis, marine, natural, odontodactylus, peacock, picture, scuba, scyllarus, selection, shrimp, strike, trd5143, underwater