August 25th, 2020 at 6:47PM

platycryptus:

while at the seashore the other day I found this skeleton shrimp (Caprellidae) clinging to my net.

It’s an amphipod, related to the chunkier sandhoppers and scuds, but has a funky elongated body that allows it to cling to objects with its hindlegs while reaching out into the water to snatch smaller crustaceans with its claws like a tiny marine mantis.

At least some caprellids can also inject venom with their claws to paralyze prey, making them one of the few venomous crustaceans.

(via bloodpressurecuff)

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    i love caprellids! i did not know about the venom - cool
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  17. platycryptus posted this
    while at the seashore the other day I found this skeleton shrimp (Caprellidae) clinging to my net.
1,056 notes #dude looks like kokopelli
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