Biology
Visual Communication and Color Vision in Stomatopod Crustaceans
Quick fact
Mantis shrimp (stomatopods) have up to 16 types of photoreceptor cells—compared to our three—allowing them to see a spectrum of colors, including ultraviolet, and to detect polarized light, a form of light invisible to humans.
Why this is interesting
Imagine seeing colors that don't exist, and being able to roll your eyes independently to look in two directions at once. That's the reality for mantis shrimp—and it's just the beginning of their extraordinary visual world.