What Mantis Shrimp See
Most divers in Asia are familiar with mantis shrimp, especially the colourful and comical rainbow mantis shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus) regularly spotted on reefs throughout the region.
Already considered amazing for their ability to spear, stab or pulverize prey at blindingly rapid speed (plus a whole host of other unusual talents), some mantis shrimp, or stomatopods as they’re known, also have the unique capability of being able to see circular polarized light (CPL).
CPL differs from linear polarized light (which is the type of light your Oakleys or Ray Bans create to pamper your eyes), as photons travel in parallel, rotating wavelengths instead of up-and-down wavelengths.
No other organism on earth can see this form of light…at least as far as anyone knows.
What practical purpose does this serve? No one’s certain, but it’s very cool nonetheless. Read more here.