Behaviour
Mantis shrimp are very interesting creatures behaviourally. They exhibit some of the most complex behaviour known in invertebrates, with the possible exception of the cephalopods (Reaka & Manning 1981). All are visual predators and have been observed to be remarkably ‘aware’ of their surroundings (Reaka & Manning 1981; Dingle & Caldwell 1969). Their large raptorial claws are used to spear or smash prey, deter predators, and fight other stomatopods (Reaka & Manning 1981).
Mantis shrimps live in burrows which provide refuge from fish predators and a burrow in which to molt (Reaka & Manning 1981). Courtship, mating, and brooding of young also occurs in these burrows (Reaka & Manning 1981). Some mantis shrimp mate for life, with the partners sharing the same burrow or retreat, whereas others come together only for mating Ruppert, Fox & Barnes 2004).
Gonodactylus chiragra inhabits preformed holes in coral rubble and rocks and they are unable to construct their own burrows, other than minor scraping and chipping (Reaka & Manning 1981). G. chiragra maintain a clean burrow which is kept free of fouling organisms which are otherwise common in this setting (Reaka & Manning 1981). They have been observed to ‘close’ their burrows at night by moving pebbles or pieces of detritus to the entrance and packing them into place (Reaka & Manning 1981).
This species of stomatopod is also exhibits grooming behaviours and spend a fair amount of their time cleaning themselves of fouling organisms and parasites (Reaka & Manning 1981).
Mantis shrimps are known to exhibit various aggressive and territorial behaviours. This behaviours are displayed during prey capture, whilst defending their burrows or themselves, and towards each other (Dingle and Caldwell 1969). Physical combat involves the form of a strike with their raptorial claws. This strike can be seen clearly in the video footage below of G. chiragra.
Video supplied by Michael Bok
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