Mantis shrimps are exclusively marine, predatory crustaceans (Order Stomatopoda) that originated in the Cretaceous, and have remained remarkably similar in appearance for 100 million years. There are more than 100 genera and 450 species worldwide, with about 70 genera and 150 species recorded from Australia.

Modern stomatopods are commonly known as mantis shrimps because of their large raptorial claws, similar in appearance to the claws of mantid insects. Another common name, 'prawn-killers', alludes to their frequent appearance in prawn trawler catches.

Stomatopods form two functional ecological groups known as 'spearers' and 'smashers'. 'Spearers' have the finger of the claw variously armed with a row of long forwardly-directed spines, which effectively penetrate and hold mobile prey species while they are killed. 'Smashers' generally lack such spines on the finger, which is kept closed during the strike. Instead, the swollen basal part of the finger is struck suddenly and forcefully against the shells of prey species to kill or stun the victim into immobility.

Examples of common mantis shrimps include:

• Orange-spot Smashing Mantis Shrimp (Gonodactylaceus graphurus)
• Peacock Mantis Shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus)
• Yellow-spot Smashing Mantis Shrimp (Gonodactylaceus falcatus)