A mysterious shrimp that can generate an imploding bubble as hot as the surface of the sun and is so loud that a submarine can hide from sonar in its' precense? Sound like fiction? Think again.
I recently learned about the Pistol Shrimp. This is a fascinating creature that has an amazing ability. It can snap shut its' one over sized claw so fast that a bubble forms in the wake of the water jet which gets forced out. This bubble immediately implodes which generates light (sonoluminescence) and a heat that can reach temperatures as hot as the surface of the sun (18,000 degrees Fahrenheit), killing prey within six feet. Pretty friggin' cool!!!
I wonder how they taste? But seriously, if you tried to capture these and put them in a tank, would they rupture the glass? And what effect do they have on humans? Would they burn a hole in your skin? I just want to know how these things evolved.
Pretty amazing mechanism. From what I've read the effect is due to cavitation and it's a powerful shock wave produced by the collapse of the bubble that kills the prey. There really is some cool stuff in nature. If you don't know of them already you might like to check out the "archer fish" and the "bombardier beetle" too.
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I wonder how they taste? But seriously, if you tried to capture these and put them in a tank, would they rupture the glass? And what effect do they have on humans? Would they burn a hole in your skin? I just want to know how these things evolved.
1) they can break the glass of an ordinary tank
2) the live in the waters off Baja california
you can buy them at saltwaterfish.com
Pretty amazing mechanism. From what I've read the effect is due to cavitation and it's a powerful shock wave produced by the collapse of the bubble that kills the prey.
There really is some cool stuff in nature. If you don't know of them already you might like to check out the "archer fish" and the "bombardier beetle" too.
1.) Are not capable of breaking glass, this is the MANTIS SHRIMP a different species all together.
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