Mere inches long, the mantis shrimp has nature’s deadliest punch — forceful enough to shatter aquarium glass and comparable to the speed of a .22-cailber bullet. Challenge the heavy hitter in a virtual strength test at Akron Zoo’s new Curious Creatures exhibit, which opens June 3 and includes more than 20 exhibits and interactive stations on the walking batfish, sea nettles and other unique critters. Follow naked mole rats as they construct elaborate boroughs within clear pipes or linger as the flashlight fish produces a hazy, yellow glow from its eyes each time it blinks. By combining viewfinders, and blue and purple lights on the tanks, visitors witness the olive glow of coral and chain dogfish in a setting close to their dark environment. “It almost looks like an X-ray,” says Pete Mohan, director of animal operations. 505 Euclid Ave., Akron, 330-375-2550, akronzoo.org
Learn about Curious Creatures
The Akron Zoo opens a new exhibit this summer featuring odd critters such as naked mole rats and a flashlight fish.
