Mantis shrimps are renowned for their club-like claws that can deliver deadly blows to various kinds of prey, even breaking through thick aquarium glass. A recent study published in Experimental Biology examines the effects of mantis shrimps facing off against each other with their attack speed of 23 m/s, as reported by New Atlas. Ecologist Patrick Green from the University of California, Santa Barbara, captured footage of two mantis shrimps fighting over territory, revealing how these creatures are able to block attacks as fast as a bullet shot from a 5.56 mm gun at close range.
Green observed that mantis shrimps combat each other by delivering bullet-like blows to each other’s tail coverts in a battle for shelter. During these fights, mantis shrimps can curl their tails in front of their bodies like a shield to defend against attacks. Through his research on rock reef mantis shrimp, Green found that these animals can absorb the force of a violent blow from another individual by curling their tails in a boxer-like position to disperse the opponent’s strength. By filming the fights at super slow motion, Green was able to capture the mantis shrimps’ fast and powerful blows, recording at 30,000 – 40,000 frames per second.
Previous studies have highlighted the importance of mantis shrimps’ spring-like coiled tail in their ability to survive attacks from aggressive rivals. The recent research by Green focused on measuring the effectiveness of this natural shield in absorbing and dispersing the impact force of attacks and how quickly the mantis shrimps react. The study found that these self-defense mechanisms allow mantis shrimps to absorb and disperse around 90% of the force from their opponents’ claws, rendering the blows ineffective. The research also sheds light on the potential applications of mantis shrimps’ hard armor and exceptional eyesight for developing lightweight and durable materials in various industries.
Overall, the study provides new insights into the defensive strategies of mantis shrimps and how they can mitigate the impact of aggressive attacks from their rivals
