This animal's punch is faster than a bullet
Mantis shrimp belong not to the shrimp family but to the ancient group of crustaceans called stomatopods, which split from other Malacostraca more than 400 million years ago. Today, scientists recognise over 500 species worldwide, many inhabiting burrows in tropical and subtropical reefs, according to the National Geographic.
These colourful invertebrates range from under an inch to nearly a foot long. One well-known species, the peacock mantis shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus), typically reaches 10–18 cm and impresses with neon blues, fiery reds, and greens, camouflaging amid coral and serving as a warning to others. They build and defend burrows, doubling as shelter and ambush stations.
Mantis shrimp of the 'smasher' category strike with a club-like appendage that unleashes blows comparable in speed to a .22-caliber bullet—around 23 m/s (50 mph), as per the National Geographic.
Equipped with a 'saddle'-shaped spring that stores elastic energy, plus a latch mechanism, they generate accelerations up to 10,000 g—captured in super‑slow‑motion footage.
On impact, their strike creates cavitation bubbles, microscopic vapor pockets that collapse, producing shockwaves and even flashes of light, amplifying the destructive force. This combo enables the shrimp to shatter the shells of prey and even aquarium glass.
The mantis shrimp's club is a layered marvel. Its outermost layer, rich in crystalline hydroxyapatite, is extremely dense and resists damage. Beneath it, gradations of minerals and polymers absorb shock and protect the structure from fracturing under repeated blows.
Their eyes may be the most complex in the animal kingdom. Each eye moves independently and offers trinocular vision. They perceive 12 to 16 types of photoreceptors, including ultraviolet, infrared, and polarized (even circularly polarized) light, which are sensitive to signals that human eyes cannot detect.
Such advanced vision may aid in hunting, navigating complex reef environments, communicating subtly, or detecting prey and rivals.
Research using a robotic proxy called 'Ninjabot' revealed that mantis shrimp vary their strike strategy when hunting snails, targeting the snail's opening or tip depending on shell shape, WIRED reported. This shows behavioural sophistication beyond brute force.
Engineers have replicated aspects of the mantis shrimp's punch mechanics using synthetic saddle structures and bio-inspired materials with Bouligand layering and ceramic-polymer bilayers. These designs promise applications in body armor, aerospace, robotics, and self-healing materials.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
Bats have a special ability — they can ‘see' with sound; understand what that means
Imagine navigating a pitch-black world with complete confidence. That's exactly what many bat species can do, thanks to echolocation, a highly refined form of biological sonar. Most microbats emit high-frequency ultrasonic calls (often between 20–200 kHz) using their larynx and emit them either through the mouth or nose. These pulses bounce off objects, producing echoes that their brains instantly decode to map their surroundings. Bats can determine an object's distance, size, shape, texture, and even velocity in complete darkness. Some can detect wires as thin as 0.08 mm, thinner than a human hair, and catch tiny flying insects in flight, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. With echolocation, bats are both avoiding obstacles and expertly hunting. They fly at speeds up to 40 m/s, covering extensive nightly ranges to locate and capture prey. Their ears are sculpted to funnel sound and discern minuscule delays in echo return, which gives bats a detailed 'sound picture' of their environment quicker than most visual predators could react. Some bats build what researchers term an 'acoustic cognitive map', a mental audio layout of their territory built solely from echolocation echoes. In studies, even when displaced kilometres from home, bats like Kuhl's pipistrelle find their way back using these sonar landmarks, sometimes integrated with vision when available. Moreover, some bats can detect and classify motionless prey using echolocation alone. The Micronycteris microtis (common big-eared bat) can distinguish stationary insects on vegetation—even amid echo clutter—by hovering and scanning brief ultrasonic calls, forming a precise acoustic image for prey identification, as per WIRED. In an intriguing twist, certain fruit bats have been discovered using sonar clicks produced by their wings, not their vocal organs. Though rudimentary, this wing-click echolocation lets them navigate in complete darkness, though they're less precise than voiced echolocators and may collide with smaller obstacles.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Indian Express
This animal's punch is faster than a bullet
The ocean is home to wonders of form, function, and survival. These creatures defy our expectations with their strength, sight, and strategies. Among them, the mantis shrimp stands out as a marvel of evolution: a small but formidable crustacean that wields lightning-fast strikes, sees with extraordinary precision, and inspires scientists with its ingenious design. Mantis shrimp belong not to the shrimp family but to the ancient group of crustaceans called stomatopods, which split from other Malacostraca more than 400 million years ago. Today, scientists recognise over 500 species worldwide, many inhabiting burrows in tropical and subtropical reefs, according to the National Geographic. These colourful invertebrates range from under an inch to nearly a foot long. One well-known species, the peacock mantis shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus), typically reaches 10–18 cm and impresses with neon blues, fiery reds, and greens, camouflaging amid coral and serving as a warning to others. They build and defend burrows, doubling as shelter and ambush stations. Mantis shrimp of the 'smasher' category strike with a club-like appendage that unleashes blows comparable in speed to a .22-caliber bullet—around 23 m/s (50 mph), as per the National Geographic. Equipped with a 'saddle'-shaped spring that stores elastic energy, plus a latch mechanism, they generate accelerations up to 10,000 g—captured in super‑slow‑motion footage. On impact, their strike creates cavitation bubbles, microscopic vapor pockets that collapse, producing shockwaves and even flashes of light, amplifying the destructive force. This combo enables the shrimp to shatter the shells of prey and even aquarium glass. The mantis shrimp's club is a layered marvel. Its outermost layer, rich in crystalline hydroxyapatite, is extremely dense and resists damage. Beneath it, gradations of minerals and polymers absorb shock and protect the structure from fracturing under repeated blows. Their eyes may be the most complex in the animal kingdom. Each eye moves independently and offers trinocular vision. They perceive 12 to 16 types of photoreceptors, including ultraviolet, infrared, and polarized (even circularly polarized) light, which are sensitive to signals that human eyes cannot detect. Such advanced vision may aid in hunting, navigating complex reef environments, communicating subtly, or detecting prey and rivals. Research using a robotic proxy called 'Ninjabot' revealed that mantis shrimp vary their strike strategy when hunting snails, targeting the snail's opening or tip depending on shell shape, WIRED reported. This shows behavioural sophistication beyond brute force. Engineers have replicated aspects of the mantis shrimp's punch mechanics using synthetic saddle structures and bio-inspired materials with Bouligand layering and ceramic-polymer bilayers. These designs promise applications in body armor, aerospace, robotics, and self-healing materials.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Want to live past 100?: 5 simple secret habits from the world's longest-living people in 'Blue Zones'
What if the secret to living longer doesn't lie in expensive diets or intense workouts, but in just living, and coincidentally shared across distant corners of the globe? Surprisingly, that is the secret behind the concept of Blue Zones, regions where people often live past 100. And this is no miracle; instead, it's about the simple ways of living through everyday life. 27:30 Senior Living in India-- Myths, Realities & the Future of Purposeful Ageing What are Blue Zones Dan Buettner, an American author, explorer, storyteller, and longevity researcher, had gone on a National Geographic expedition and which surprisingly turned into a major discovery about living a longer, healthier life. Buettner and his team, which is made up of scientists, anthropologists, and demographers, set out to explore regions where people regularly live to be 100 or more. They eventually identified five such places around the world, now known as 'Blue Zones', which include Loma Linda in California, Nicoya in Costa Rica, Sardinia in Italy, Ikaria in Greece, and Okinawa in Japan. What these places had in common wasn't just luck or good genes. In fact, according to the Danish Twin Study, only about 20% of our lifespan is determined by genetics; the rest is defined by our daily habits and lifestyle choices. Buettner and his team studied the people in these regions and found they shared some key lifestyle traits, these included things like natural movement, a sense of purpose, low stress, plant-based diets, and strong social connections. Here are 5 simple secrets to a long and healthy life, inspired by people living in the world's 'Blue Zones,' according to the study 'Blue Zones, Lessons From the World's Longest Lived', published in the National Library of Medicine Move naturally People in Blue Zones don't depend on gyms or intense workouts to stay fit. Instead, their daily lives are full of natural movement. They walk often, garden, do housework by hand, and use minimal modern conveniences. This constant, gentle activity keeps them physically active without needing to 'exercise' in the traditional sense. Their environments are designed to encourage constant movement by walking, which supports joint health, mobility, and strength well into old age, which makes a big difference over time. Have a sense of purpose Knowing why you wake up each day can add years to one's life. In Okinawa, this concept is called Ikigai, and in Nicoya, it's plan de vida. Both mean having a clear purpose or goal that brings meaning to one's daily routine. Whether it's taking care of family, taking up a hobby, or contributing to the well-being of those around, this sense of direction helps people stay mentally and emotionally balanced. Research published in Science Daily shows that people with a strong sense of purpose have about a 20% lower risk of death over seven years. Manage stress through daily routines Even people in the world's healthiest regions experience stress, but they've found simple ways to manage it. Residents in Blue Zones have daily rituals to reduce tension, like napping, praying, reflecting on ancestors, or gathering socially. These small habits help lower stress hormones and inflammation, both of which are linked to chronic diseases. Rather than letting stress build up, they dedicate downtime regularly. This keeps their minds clear, their bodies calm, and contributes to the emotional stability that supports a longer, healthier life. Eat until you're 80% full People in Blue Zones don't overeat. In Okinawa, they follow a 2,500-year-old saying, 'Hara hachi bu', which reminds them to stop eating when their stomach is about 80% full. This helps prevent weight gain and digestive problems. They also tend to eat their last and smallest meal in the late afternoon or early evening and avoid snacking later. By maintaining portion control and listening to their body's signals, they naturally reduce calorie intake, which is also one of the most effective ways to slow aging and extend life. Focus on plant-based diets Centenarians in Blue Zones eat mostly plant-based foods. Their meals are rich in beans like black, fava, soy, and lentils, along with vegetables, whole grains, and nuts. Meat is eaten rarely, usually just a few times a month, and in small portions, roughly the size of a deck of cards. This 'plant slant' diet provides essential nutrients, promotes gut health, and helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Photos: Canva Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes, , messages , and quotes !
