Squilla empusa (mantis shrimp) Description
English: Squilla empusa
Source http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/htmls/figb0546.htm
Author H. L. Todd
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Squilla_empusa.jpg
Squilla empusa is a species of mantis shrimp found in coastal areas of the western Atlantic Ocean. It excavates and occupies a burrow in soft sediment from which it emerges, mainly at night, to feed on fish and invertebrate prey. Squilla empusa is mainly nocturnal and feeds on fish, shrimps, crabs, krill, worms, molluscs and other mantis shrimps. The raptorial claws are unfolded with great rapidity to spear, slash and immobilise the prey, which is brought back inside the burrow when caught. Order: Stomatopoda, Family: Squillidae, Genus: Squilla, Species: Squilla empusa Say 1818.