An odd critter I seen in Roatan

[T.C.]

I'd appreciate the help in identifying this critter I seen in Roatan Honduras about 3 weeks ago. I saw it on the south side of the island at about 11:30 in the morning.


This was a odd-looking critter I found on the bottom. When I raised my camera the first time, it swam backwards very quickly under a rock, using the same motion a crayfish would use to escape. It was about 3-5 inches long, with a reddish-brown segmented body, and very wary of me, despite a very slow approach. In the picture, the animal includes the blue eye-looking things below the yellow "eyes".


Here's an example of the habitat I found the second one in. The animal can be seen in the red patch in the center.

 

[Ste Wart]

Looks like a Mantis Shrimp, not sure which species.

 

[T.C.]

Looks like a Mantis Shrimp, not sure which species.

Thanks! After a bit of research, I believe it to be (I'm not a biologist, after all) to be a Neogonodactylus curacaoensis.

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthro...raca/royslist/species.php?name=n_curacaoensis

I had no idea I'd gotten to see such a cool critter.

I now go back to creepily lurking in the background...

 

[Ste Wart]

Thanks! After a bit of research, I believe it to be (I'm not a biologist, after all) to be a Neogonodactylus curacaoensis.

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthro...raca/royslist/species.php?name=n_curacaoensis

I had no idea I'd gotten to see such a cool critter.

I now go back to creepily lurking in the background...

Keep sharing the photos though. I've never managed to get a shot of mantis shrimp.

Really interesting YouTube clip on how they attack

Sheila Patek: Measuring the fastest animal on earth - YouTube

 

[Cave Diver]

Really interesting YouTube clip on how they attack

Sheila Patek: Measuring the fastest animal on earth - YouTube

Rather long, but very interesting. Thanks for sharing!

 

[craracer]

I would also consider comparing your critter with a Dark Mantis (Gonodactylus curacaoensis).

 

[Tjack]

We were warned about Mantis Shrimps breaking camera lenses in Thailand. They are wicked fast.

Sheila Patek: Measuring the fastest animal on earth - YouTube

 

[PatW]

Mantis shrimp do pack a wallop. Mantis shrimps kept in aquariums have been known to knock the glass out of the side of the tank. There was an article in Scientific American years ago about them and how they manage to accomplish this improbable feat.