Lysiosquillina maculata @ Koh Haa
The Tiger Mantis Shrimp, or Zebra Mantis Shrimp is the largest Stomatopod, growing to a massive 40 cm, but normally observed much smaller than this. This species digs long burrows in the sand close to the reef edge and is rarely seen outside it's burrow.
The eyes are oval and bi-lobed (two lobes) in shape and covered in small white spots. The antennae are speckled, and the tail segments are alternately coloured dark and light, giving the 'tiger' or 'zebra' stripe effect.
Tiger Mantis Shrimp @ Koh Haa
The Tiger Mantis Shrimp is a Spearing Mantis shrimp and hunts from the entrance to the burrow.
Like other Spearing Mantis, this species has a spring and latch system at the base of their raptorial appendages which creates a spring-loaded striking weapon to catch prey.
