Mother Load

A peacock mantis shrimp knows how to procreate

June 28, 2020

peacock mantis shrimp

Photo by Nadia Aly

With its protruding eyes containing 16 color-receptive cones, the peacock mantis shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus) can detect 10 times more color than we can. And these hard-shell crustaceans are easy on the eyes, boasting a kaleidoscope of vivid colors, from amethyst to topaz to aquamarine. This shrimp, carrying its precious eggs, was photographed during a dive near Lembeh, Indonesia.

Check out a slideshow of Aly's work: sc.org/aly.