The pistol shrimp is a tiny creature with a claw that packs a terrifying punch. Living in tropical ocean reefs, this small crustacean can snap its specialized claw shut at incredible speeds. The movement is so fast that it creates a high speed jet of water moving at over sixty miles per hour.
This rapid water movement generates a low pressure cavitation bubble that instantly collapses. When the bubble bursts, it produces a sound reaching over two hundred decibels, which is louder than a jet engine. For a split second, the temperature inside the collapsing bubble reaches over four thousand degrees Celsius, which is nearly as hot as the surface of the sun.
Stunned by the shockwave and intense flash of heat, small fish and crabs are knocked unconscious instantly. The pistol shrimp then easily drags its defenseless prey back to its burrow. It is one of the loudest and most unique hunting mechanisms in the entire animal kingdom.
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Disclaimer: This video is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Information comes from public scientific sources and images are used for illustrative purposes.
