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Meet Maurice, the mantis shrimp! "Shrimp" might not make you think of anything particularly dangerous. But beware - Maurice is a fierce predator who stalks his prey before dragging it back home to eat it... |
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Mantis shrimps are best known for the way they kill their prey. They have two enlarged arms that act like hammers, to club their prey to death. They're circled on the picture opposite. |
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These shrimps pack such a punch, they have to be kept in perspex tanks - because they can smash glass! They're able to flick their clubs out fifty times faster than the blink of an eye! |
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Fearne demonstrated exactly how with the aid of some glass, some safety goggles, and a scaled-up club arm.
The shrimp has the club arm tucked away, then he flicks it out and releases it! Impressive, eh? |
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Maurice uses the technique to get into his favourite food - crabs. He gives them a good bash to stun them, then another before devouring their insides! |
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A diver once had to have a finger amputated when a mantis shrimp clubbed him - strong stuff, eh? |
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As a final quick demonstration, Kate popped a pen into Maurice's tank. In no time at all it was clubbed and cracked, as you can see here. |
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