Who You Calling a ‘Shrimp’!? 18-Inch Shrimp-Like Creature Stuns Ft. Pierce, Florida Fisherman
By Space Coast Daily // July 7, 2018
Authorities are continuing to review the photos of creature to identify the exact species
FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA – Steve Bargeron was fishing from a dock in Fort Pierce as he watched a fellow fisherman pull a huge shrimp-like creature out of the water.
“Steve said the massive thing was about 18 inches long and striking its own tail, so he grabbed it by its back like a lobster,” said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on its Facebook page.
“Scientists think it may be some type of mantis shrimp, which are actually not related to shrimp but are a type of crustacean called a stomatopod.”
Mantis shrimp or stomatopods are an ancient group of marine predators that are only distantly related to other more familiar crustaceans, such as crabs, shrimp and lobsters. While most occur in shallow tropical marine waters, a few species are found in more temperate seas.
Although they are called mantis shrimp, they are neither shrimp nor mantid, a species of insect, but received their name due to their resemblance to both praying mantis and shrimp. Mantis shrimp appear in a variety of colors, from shades of browns to bright neon colors.
Authorities are continuing to review the photos to identify the exact species.
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