Mantis Shrimp in Grow a Garden (March 2026) Complete Guide

If you’ve been grinding through Grow a Garden’s Season 2 Pass and wondering whether the Mantis Shrimp is worth the effort, I’m here to give you the complete breakdown! After spending countless hours testing this colorful crustacean and watching it punch everything in my garden (yes, even me!), I’ve discovered exactly why this Mythical pet has become one of the most talked-about additions to the game since the Safari Harvest Event dropped on November 1, 2026.

The Mantis Shrimp isn’t just another cute pet to collect – it’s a game-changing companion that can apply the coveted Sundried mutation worth an insane 85x multiplier, reduce egg hatch times, boost pet XP, and even hand you thousands of Sheckles just for standing in your garden. Whether you’re a mutation farmer, a pet collector, or just someone who loves watching a happy shrimp throw punches at random objects, this guide will tell you everything you need to dominate with this Safari exclusive.

What Is The Mantis Shrimp in Grow a Garden?

Attribute	Details
Pet Name	Mantis Shrimp
Rarity	Mythical
Release Date	November 1, 2026
Event	Safari Harvest Event (Season 2)
Ability Name	Shrimpunch!!!
Cooldown	14:48-5:33 minutes (Normal) / 7:24-3:42 minutes (GIANT)
Hunger Cost	40,000 Sheckles
Available Until	December 6, 2026
Trading	Yes (after obtaining)

The Mantis Shrimp is a Mythical-tier pet that was introduced during the Safari Harvest Event as part of the Season 2 Pass rewards. This vibrant, multi-colored crustacean features a cheerful expression with large, expressive eyes and a flat, wide body that showcases a stunning blend of reds, greens, and blues. Its design is based on the real-life mantis shrimp, which is famous for having one of the most powerful punches in the animal kingdom – and trust me, this Roblox version lives up to that reputation!

What makes the Mantis Shrimp special is its unique “Shrimpunch!!!” ability that randomly punches different objects in your garden every 5-15 minutes, triggering various helpful effects depending on what it hits. This unpredictability is similar to the Tanuki pet, another pet with multiple random abilities, making it both exciting and strategically valuable for different farming situations.

How to Get the Mantis Shrimp in Grow a Garden?

Getting your hands (or claws?) on this powerful pet requires some dedication to the Season 2 Pass, but it’s absolutely achievable for both free-to-play and premium players. Here’s exactly what you need to do:

Method 1: Free Season 2 Pass (Regular Mantis Shrimp)

Step 1: Open the Season Pass menu by clicking the “Pass” icon on the left side of your screen.

Step 2: Complete daily quests that appear in the Pass Menu. These quests refresh every 24 hours and are your primary source of Pass XP.

Step 3: Harvest plants regularly to gain Pass XP. Rarer fruits like Divine and Transcendent crops give significantly more XP than common vegetables.

Step 4: Reach Level 40 in the Season 2 Pass to unlock the regular Mantis Shrimp.

Step 5: Claim your Mantis Shrimp from the Pass Menu. It will appear in your pet inventory immediately.

Timeline: Most players can reach Level 40 in about 2-3 weeks with daily play and quest completion. The Season 2 Pass ends on December 6, 2026, so you have limited time!

Method 2: Premium Season 2 Pass (GIANT Mantis Shrimp)

If you purchase the Premium Pass for 749 Robux, you’ll receive the GIANT Mantis Shrimp variant at Level 40 instead. This version has a significantly faster cooldown (7:24-3:42 minutes instead of 14:48-5:33 minutes), meaning it punches almost twice as frequently for double the benefits!

Method 3: Trading (After Event Ends)

Once the Season 2 Pass expires on December 6, 2026, the only way to obtain a Mantis Shrimp will be through trading with other players. Based on trading patterns from previous event-exclusive pets, expect the Mantis Shrimp’s value to skyrocket after it becomes unobtainable. For safe trading practices and current pet values, check out our Grow a Garden BEST Pets Tier List.

Pro Tips for Leveling the Season 2 Pass Faster:

• Focus on High-Value Crops: Plant Transcendent seeds like Great Pumpkin or Bone Blossom for maximum XP per harvest
• Complete All Daily Quests: These give massive XP boosts and should be your priority every day
• Use Growth-Boosting Pets: Pets like the Butterfly or Dragonfly can speed up crop growth, leading to more harvests and more XP
• Join the Community: Follow the official Grow a Garden Discord for quest tips and XP farming strategies

What Does The Mantis Shrimp’s Ability Do?

The “Shrimpunch!!!” ability is where things get really interesting. Every 14:48-5:33 minutes (for the normal version) or 7:24-3:42 minutes (for the GIANT version), your Mantis Shrimp will randomly select a target in your garden and deliver a devastating punch that triggers one of four possible effects:

Effect #1: Punching Fruits – Sundried Mutation (MOST VALUABLE)

When the Mantis Shrimp punches a fully grown fruit or vegetable, it has a chance to apply the Sundried mutation, one of the game’s most profitable mutations!

Sundried Mutation Value:

• Multiplier: 85x (transforms a 1,000 Sheckle tomato into an 85,000 Sheckle goldmine!)
• Visual Effect: Your crop takes on a dried, sun-bleached appearance with warm orange-brown tones
• Stackability: Can combine with other mutations for even bigger multipliers
• Best Crops to Target: High-value fruits like Great Pumpkin, Maple Resin, or Bone Blossom for maximum profit

Real Example: I once had my Mantis Shrimp punch a Rainbow Divine Watermelon. The base value was 2.5 million Sheckles. With the Rainbow (50x) and Sundried (85x) mutations stacked, it sold for over 10.6 BILLION Sheckles! This single punch paid for my entire Season Pass and then some.

For a complete understanding of how mutations work and stack, see our All 105+ Mutations and Multipliers guide.

Effect #2: Punching Eggs – Reduced Hatch Time

If your Mantis Shrimp punches a pet egg that’s currently hatching in your garden, it instantly reduces the remaining hatch time by approximately 141 seconds (2 minutes and 21 seconds).

When This Is Useful:

• Hatching rare eggs like Primal Eggs, Zen Eggs, or Paradise Eggs with long hatch times
• Speed-farming pet mutations without using Pet Hatch Speed boosts
• Getting specific pets faster for trading or collection purposes

Strategic Tip: Place your most valuable eggs in central locations where the Mantis Shrimp is more likely to punch them. Eggs along the edges of your garden are less frequently targeted.

Effect #3: Punching Pets – XP Boost

When the Mantis Shrimp punches another pet in your garden (one of your equipped companions), that pet instantly receives 544 XP.

Why This Matters:

• Speeds up pet aging, which increases their passive ability effectiveness
• Helps you reach the maximum pet level (Level 50) faster
• Great for leveling up newly hatched pets from eggs
• Works especially well with pets like the Hydra or Kitsune that benefit from higher ages

Leveling Strategy: Combine the Mantis Shrimp with other XP-boosting items like Beetle Lollipops or Beetle Juice for exponential pet growth. Learn more about pet optimization in our Grow a Garden Zen Egg Pets Guide.

Effect #4: Punching Players – Sheckles Bonus

Perhaps the funniest effect is when your Mantis Shrimp decides to punch YOU (or other players visiting your garden). When this happens, you instantly receive approximately 7,459 Sheckles.

Fun Facts:

• This can happen to visitors in your garden, making it a great community feature
• The Sheckles amount scales slightly with your overall garden value
• It’s completely harmless and just a fun bonus
• Some players deliberately stand near their Mantis Shrimp hoping to get punched for extra income

Income Potential: If you’re actively playing for an hour and the Mantis Shrimp punches you 3-4 times, that’s an extra 20,000-30,000 Sheckles just for existing in your own garden!

Mantis Shrimp vs. Other Mythical Pets – Is It Worth It?

Let’s be honest – not every Mythical pet is created equal in Grow a Garden. Here’s how the Mantis Shrimp stacks up against other top-tier companions:

Mantis Shrimp vs. Hydra

The Hydra is another Divine/Mythical pet from the same Season 2 Pass (unlocked at earlier levels). The Hydra focuses on applying the Terran mutation and has a self-aging ability, making it more consistent for specific mutation farming. The Mantis Shrimp, however, offers more versatility with its four different effects.

Winner: Depends on your goals. For pure profit farming, Hydra might edge out slightly. For overall utility and fun factor, Mantis Shrimp wins.

Mantis Shrimp vs. Kitsune

The Kitsune (from the Zen Egg) is considered one of the best pets in the game due to its cross-garden abilities and Prismatic rarity. However, it’s significantly harder to obtain with its 0.005% hatch rate.

Winner: Kitsune is stronger, but the Mantis Shrimp is far more accessible and still very powerful for most players.

Mantis Shrimp vs. Tanuki

Both pets have the “random ability” mechanic, but the Tanuki’s effects are generally less impactful. The Mantis Shrimp’s Sundried mutation application alone makes it more valuable than most of the Tanuki’s random outcomes.

Winner: Mantis Shrimp by a significant margin.

Best Strategies to Maximize Your Mantis Shrimp

After testing various setups and garden configurations, here are my proven strategies for getting the most value from your Mantis Shrimp:

Strategy #1: The Sundried Farm

Setup:

1. Plant a garden full of high-value Transcendent or Divine seeds
2. Equip the Mantis Shrimp along with pets that increase mutation chances (like the Pig or Praying Mantis)
3. Use the Favorite Tool on your most valuable crops to prevent accidental harvesting
4. Wait for the Mantis Shrimp to punch fruits and apply Sundried mutations
5. Only harvest once you’ve accumulated multiple Sundried mutations

Expected Profits: With this method, I consistently earn 500 million – 2 billion Sheckles per full garden harvest.

Strategy #2: The Egg Accelerator

Setup:

1. Place 3-5 rare eggs in your garden (Premium Eggs, Exotic Eggs, etc.)
2. Equip only the Mantis Shrimp (no other pets to reduce competition)
3. Let it run while you’re AFK or working on other tasks
4. The Mantis Shrimp will randomly speed up egg hatching throughout the day

Benefits: You’ll hatch eggs 15-25% faster than normal, allowing you to roll for better pets or mutations more frequently.

Strategy #3: The XP Power Leveler

Setup:

1. Hatch a new pet with good potential but low level
2. Equip both the new pet and the Mantis Shrimp
3. Add XP-boosting toys like Beetle Juice when available
4. The Mantis Shrimp will randomly grant XP boosts to accelerate leveling

Result: Your pets will reach maximum effectiveness much faster than traditional leveling methods.

Strategy #4: The Passive Income Garden

Setup:

1. Fill your garden with auto-harvesting crops (using the Auto-Harvest Badge or equipment)
2. Equip the Mantis Shrimp along with other passive pets
3. Let it run 24/7, even while offline
4. The Sundried mutations and Sheckles from punches will accumulate over time

Why It Works: Grow a Garden continues running even when you’re offline, and the Mantis Shrimp’s abilities trigger automatically. This is perfect for busy players who can’t actively farm all day.

Pro Optimization Tips:

• Garden Layout Matters: Place your most valuable crops in the center of your garden where the Mantis Shrimp patrols most frequently
• Weather Synergy: Combine with weather-based mutations during sunny weather for extra Sundried chances
• Mutation Stacking: Learn the complete mutation system to understand which mutations stack with Sundried for maximum profit
• Trading Strategy: If you get duplicate Mantis Shrimps (from trading), keep one normal and one GIANT for different situations

Mantis Shrimp Mutations – Customization Options

Like all pets in Grow a Garden, the Mantis Shrimp itself can receive cosmetic mutations that change its appearance without affecting its abilities. Here are the known mutations:

Aromatic Mutation

• Appearance: Light green shade with a fresh, herbaceous look
• Rarity: Uncommon
• Effect: Purely cosmetic

Glimmering Mutation

• Appearance: Bright glowing white effect with sparkles
• Rarity: Rare
• Effect: Makes your Mantis Shrimp shine like a star
• Community Favorite: One of the most sought-after pet mutations

Nutty Mutation

• Appearance: Brown, wood-like shell
• Rarity: Uncommon
• Effect: Perfect for autumn-themed gardens

Tethered Mutation

• Appearance: Aqua-green with orange edges and connected patterns
• Rarity: Rare
• Effect: Considered one of the most stylish variants

Mutation Hunting Tip: Use the Pet Mutator (if you have one) to reroll for your preferred aesthetic. The Glimmering and Tethered mutations typically trade for higher values in the community!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

After seeing countless players struggle with their Mantis Shrimps, here are the mistakes you should absolutely avoid:

Mistake #1: Not Using the Favorite Tool

The Favorite Tool prevents accidental harvesting of crops. Without it, you might harvest a fruit RIGHT BEFORE the Mantis Shrimp punches it, losing the chance at that sweet Sundried mutation.

Solution: Always favorite your most valuable crops if you’re running a Sundried farming strategy.

Mistake #2: Overcrowding Your Garden

If your garden is packed with low-value crops, the Mantis Shrimp will waste punches on worthless vegetables instead of your premium fruits.

Solution: Quality over quantity. Plant fewer, higher-value crops for better returns.

Mistake #3: Ignoring the GIANT Version

Some players skip the Premium Pass thinking the difference isn’t significant. However, the GIANT Mantis Shrimp punches nearly twice as often (7:24-3:42 minutes vs 14:48-5:33 minutes), effectively doubling your profits and benefits.

Solution: If you’re serious about maximizing profits, the 749 Robux for the Premium Pass is absolutely worth it for active players.

Mistake #4: Not Positioning Pets Strategically

The Mantis Shrimp’s random targeting means placement matters. If your best crops are at the edge of your garden, they’re less likely to be punched.

Solution: Organize your garden with premium crops in central locations.

Mistake #5: Missing the December 6 Deadline

Once Season 2 ends, you can only get the Mantis Shrimp through trading, and prices will skyrocket.

Solution: Start grinding your Season Pass NOW if you haven’t already! Focus on daily quests and high-XP harvests. Check out our Roblox Grow a Garden Codes for free boosts to help you reach Level 40 faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Mantis Shrimp punch the same object multiple times?

Yes! The Mantis Shrimp’s targeting is completely random, so it’s possible (though rare) for it to punch the same fruit multiple times in a row. However, Sundried mutation can only be applied once per fruit.

Does the Mantis Shrimp work while I’m offline?

Absolutely! Your garden continues operating even when you’re not playing, and the Mantis Shrimp will continue punching objects on its cooldown timer. This makes it perfect for passive income generation.

What’s the best pet combination with the Mantis Shrimp?

For maximum profit, combine the Mantis Shrimp with pets that increase mutation chances (Pig, Praying Mantis, or Butterfly) and pets that boost crop values (Queen Bee with pollinated fruits). Learn more about optimal pet teams in our Best Pets Tier List.

Can I have multiple Mantis Shrimps equipped at once?

Yes, but only if you’ve unlocked extra pet equip slots by trading in aged pets. You can have up to 8 pet slots total. Running multiple Mantis Shrimps will increase the frequency of punches, but most players find better value in diversifying their pet lineup.

What happens if I trade my Mantis Shrimp away?

You can obtain another one through trading or from the Season Pass if you haven’t claimed it yet. However, if you’ve already claimed your Season Pass reward and trade it away, you’ll need to trade for a new one. Prices for event-exclusive pets typically increase dramatically after events end.

Is the Mantis Shrimp better than the Hydra?

Both are excellent Mythical pets from Season 2. The Hydra excels at consistent Terran mutation application, while the Mantis Shrimp offers more versatility with its four different effects. For most players, I recommend getting both!

Can the Sundried mutation stack with other mutations?

Yes! The Sundried mutation (85x) can stack multiplicatively with other mutations. For example:

• Sundried (85x) + Rainbow (50x) = 4,250x total multiplier
• Sundried (85x) + Gold (20x) = 1,700x total multiplier
• Sundried (85x) + Shocked (35x) = 2,975x total multiplier

This stacking mechanic is what makes the Mantis Shrimp so incredibly valuable for serious farmers.

How do I know when my Mantis Shrimp is about to punch something?

Unfortunately, there’s no notification system. The Mantis Shrimp will play a quick animation and make a punching sound effect when it activates. If you’re actively playing, you’ll see it, but otherwise, you’ll just notice the effects (like suddenly getting Sheckles or seeing a new mutation appear).

Is The Mantis Shrimp Worth Getting?

After extensive testing and comparing it against nearly every pet in Grow a Garden, here’s my honest verdict:

YES, absolutely! The Mantis Shrimp is worth the effort to reach Level 40 in the Season 2 Pass. Here’s why:

For Free-To-Play Players:

The regular Mantis Shrimp provides excellent value without spending any Robux. The Sundried mutation alone can generate billions of Sheckles over time, easily paying for itself many times over. Even if you only play casually, reaching Level 40 is achievable before December 6.

For Premium Players:

If you’re willing to invest 749 Robux in the Premium Pass, the GIANT Mantis Shrimp becomes one of the best Mythical pets in the entire game. The doubled punch frequency makes it worth every penny for serious farmers.

For Collectors:

Event-exclusive pets always increase in value after they become unobtainable. The Mantis Shrimp will likely become a highly sought-after trading commodity in future months, potentially worth 10x-50x more than its current value.

For Casual Players:

Even if you don’t optimize your garden setup, the Mantis Shrimp provides passive benefits just by existing. The random Sheckles bonuses and occasional Sundried mutations will improve your profits without any extra effort.

Final Thoughts

The Mantis Shrimp represents everything great about Grow a Garden’s pet system – it’s powerful, fun to use, accessible to both free and premium players, and brings genuine excitement to your farming experience. The moment you see that colorful crustacean wind up and deliver a devastating punch to your multi-billion Sheckle Divine fruit, applying that gorgeous Sundried mutation, you’ll understand why this pet has become a Season 2 favorite.

With the Season 2 Pass ending on December 6, 2026, time is running out to claim this exclusive companion. Don’t let this opportunity slip through your fingers like wet soap! Focus on those daily quests, harvest your premium crops, and make that final push to Level 40.

Whether you’re building a mutation empire, speed-hatching rare pets, or just want a cheerful shrimp companion that occasionally punches you for money, the Mantis Shrimp delivers on all fronts. It’s not just a pet – it’s an investment in your garden’s future success.

Now get out there, claim your Mantis Shrimp, and start punching your way to billions! Your garden (and your Sheckles balance) will thank you.

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