Instructional Video

The Snail-Smashing, Fish-Spearing, Eye-Popping Mantis Shrimp

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet

Like tiny Supermen of the sea, mantis shrimp catch their prey using both bullet-like speed and enhanced vision. How do they do it? Young marine biologists discover the amazing adaptations found in the mantis shrimp and how they use them to catch dinner and not miss their shot.

3 Views 1 Download
CCSS: Adaptable
Additional Tags
Instructional Ideas
  • Add interest to a marine ecosystems lesson with the video
  • Expand the lesson to include other uses of polarized light in medicine
Classroom Considerations
  • Lead a quick discussion about sunlight, wavelengths of light, and polarization before watching the video
  • This video is hosted on YouTube
Pros
  • The resource shows how research into the shrimp's adaptation using polarized light is helping to detect injuries and certain forms of cancer
  • Slow-motion video allows learners to see the shrimp catch their prey
Cons
  • None
Common Core