Joseph's Harbor 3-4-12

[MattW]

It's a mantis shrimp.

Mantis shrimp or stomatopods are marine Crustacean , the members of the order Stomatopoda. They are neither Shrimp nor Mantis, but receive their name purely from the physical resemblance to both the terrestrial Mantis and the shrimp. They may reach 30 centimetres (12 in) in length, although exceptional cases of up to 38 cm (15 in) have been recorded. The Carapace of mantis shrimp covers only the rear part of the head and the first four segments of the Thorax. Mantis shrimp appear in a variety of colours, from shades of browns to bright neon colours. Although they are common animals and among the most important Predation in many shallow, Tropics and sub-tropical marine Habitat they are poorly understood as many species spend most of their life tucked away in burrows and holes.
Called "sea locusts" by ancient Assyrian people , "prawn killers" in Australia and now sometimes referred to as "thumb splitters" — because of the animal's ability to inflict painful gashes if handled incautiously — mantis shrimp sport powerful claws that they use to attack and kill prey by spearing, stunning or dismemberment. Although it happens rarely, some larger species of mantis shrimp are capable of breaking through Aquarium glass with a single strike from this weapon.