ANIMALSCONTENTS
Beetles............................ 40
Deer............................... 42
Eagles............................. 44
Pandas............................ 46
Parrots............................ 48
Pigs............................... 50
Reptiles........................... 52
Turtles............................ 54
Whales............................ 56
Pets............................... 58
Animals Round-Up................ 60
MOST SOPHISTICATED
EYES OF ANY ANIMAL
As it patrols the warm waters of
the Indian and Pacific oceans, the
colourfully costumed peacock mantis
shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus)
can see trouble coming a mile off. Its
protruding eyes move independently of
one another, and contain millions
of light-sensitive cells with
16 colour-receptive cones
(compared with just three in humans).
The mantis shrimp also has a powerful
secret weapon: the strongest self-
powered strike by an animal. The
stomatopod can strike out with its
club-shaped front leg at a speed of
23 m/sec (75 ft/sec), delivering a blow
with a force of 1,500 N. This shatters
the shells of its prey and can also be
used to ward off unwary predators.