Exceptional Cretaceous Mantis Shrimp Fossil

Description: This is a most unusual crustacean from the sublithographic limestone deposits of Lebanon, commonly termed a mantis shrimp. While he name comes from the presence of raptorial claws reminiscent of the praying mantis, it is neither a mantid nor a shrimp. Modern examples are also termed “thumb splitters” for encounters unwary divers have with these smash and grab artists of the ocean. They are unusual in that they actively pursue prey, using their claws to subdue creatures far larger than themselves. Unlike many invertebrates from Lebanon, this one has had no color touchup to highlight details.