Who has been hit by their Mantis Shrimp, and how much did it hurt?

[Uriel]

Just curious.

I have yet to experience this particular thrill, but I am sure that I sill end up getting popped at some point. I hope that it isn't by either my O. Scyllarus or my G. Ternatensis, as they are the largest and they hit the hardest.

Looking forward to seeing other folks' experiences.

Dr. Roy, have you been thwacked often? Ever by a big mantis?


-Ron

 

[Ms. K]

When I first got my 4" ternatensis, it popped my finger through the tupperware container that I was carrying it in. I'm glad the tupperware was between him and me because it didn't feel good. It wasn't terribly painful but I didn't expect it, so it took me completely be surprise. I don't know how badly it would've hurt if the plastic hadn't been there, but let me see if I can paint a picture (if I even remember correctly). When you were in school, did anyone ever stretch out a rubber band across some part of your body, pull back the elastic as far as he could, and let you have it? It smarts!

 

[dc]

Only once by my N. oerstedii Didn't hurt, numbed my finger a little bit, but the shock value was extreme! I about pulled the tank over.

 

[djmuzzi]

I used a bamboo skewer last night to try and lure one out of it's hole after I discovered the googley-eyes peering from a rock. 1 hit punched through the skewer. I estimate him to be 1 inch. I am told the clubbing kind sting prety bad but the piercing type can split a thumb.

 

[Gonodactylus]

I've been hit hundreds of times, but this double stab by a 4 inch O. scyllarus was one of the more painful - although certainly not the bloodiest. That honor goes to a 12 inch Lysiosquillina maculata that put a two inch slice in my hand using its uropod spine.

Roy

 

[rwhhunt]

is the uropod spine part of the dactyl?

 

[Gonodactylus]

The uropods are part of the tail fan, the appendages that stick out to the side. All stomatopods have sharp spines as part of this structure. In Lysiosquillids, they are particularly long and sharp. If a predator grabs one by the head or middle, they can bend the abdomen and stab with the uropods spines. Several of the nastier injuries I've gotten handling large stomatopods have been from the spines. I guess I usually pay too much attention to the front end of the animal and forget the back.

Roy