Size makes not matter to the pistol shrimp who doesn't pack pistols, rather something much more impressive.
What: The pistol shrimp is a shrimp that shoots super loud--and deadly--bubble bullets.
Who: There are hundreds of species of pistol shrimp, but one recently discovered species, Synalpheus pinkfloydi was named specifically after something else that is very loud and very cool: the rock band, Pink Floyd!
When: When some species of pistol shrimp need to work on their burrow or hunt without pesky predators bothering them, they meet up with a goby fish, who will help the pistol shrimp lookout for danger.
Where: Where does the pistol shrimp get its pistol power to shoot bubble bullets? The pistol shrimp uses its it's gigantic claw to pressurize water inside a chamber in it; the pressure builds so strong, when the pistol shrimp releases it, it fires a bubble bullet fast enough to stun or kill its prey.
How: How loud are the pistol shrimp's bubble bullets? How about 210 decibels, loud! That's louder than an actual gunshot, which is around 140 – 175 decibels.
Wow!: The pistol shrimp's bubble bullets don't just make quite a bang, they also fire at quite a burst: the pistol shrimp's bubble bullets shoot out at 60 mph (97 kph)!
Keep getting curious about animals with The Screaming Hairy Armadillo and it's free Educator's Guide!
Thank you for your curiosity, stay curious, and let your curiosity lead your learning with more Curiosity-Based Learning content and activities from What If Curiosity!
Comments