The Science Behind Mantis Shrimp’s Glass-Shattering Punch

casualSTEM delivers brief and informative summaries of the latest science news every Saturday. Full of jokes, silly polls, and a cartoon!

Shockwave Shrimp

How do mantis shrimp survive their own punches capable of breaking glass? Similar to ogres and onions, it’s all about layers.

• “Fists” = hammer-like appendages called dactyl clubs

• Made of 3 specialized layers

• Including latch-like tendons that release as fast as a .22 caliber bullet

One layer contains twisted chitin fibers that filter out intense recoil vibrations. Adapting this shock wave defense could improve sound-filtering protective equipment for first-responders. Or some Shrek-themed noise cancelling headphones.

Shrimp are like onions?

Catch-up on science in sweatpants