These Animals Are the Stuff of Nightmares but They Can Actually Be Found All Around Us

Mantis Shrimp Are Faster Than Bullets

We all know about cocktail shrimp, but have you ever heard of mantis shrimp? These fascinating creatures, also known as stomatopods, split from the main evolutionary line around 340 million years ago. Today, they’re a unique species ranging from 10 to 38 centimeters in length. But here’s where things get really interesting: mantis shrimp are known for their lightning-fast punches

How fast, you ask? Their strikes can reach speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour—comparable to a 22-caliber bullet! That’s enough to make even Mike Tyson take a step back.

These underwater powerhouses use their punches not just to hunt but also to scare off predators. Their claws are so strong they can shatter glass and crack open hard-shelled prey like crabs. And get this: their eyes are equally impressive, with 16 color-receptive cones compared to our measly three. Can you imagine seeing the world in that much detail? Next time you think of shrimp, remember the mantis shrimp—nature’s tiny but mighty knockout artist.