Mantis Shrimp Have the Fastest Punch in the Animal Kingdom
A mantis shrimp can punch with the force of a bullet, accelerating their club-like appendages at 10,000 times the force of gravity.
About this fact
Mantis shrimp possess the most powerful punch in the animal kingdom. Their club-like appendages can accelerate at 10,000 times the force of gravity and reach speeds of 23 meters per second - faster than a .22 caliber bullet. The punch generates cavitation bubbles in the water that collapse with tremendous force, creating a secondary shock wave. This double-hit can stun or kill prey even if the initial strike misses. The impact is so powerful it can break aquarium glass and has been measured at forces equivalent to a small-caliber gunshot. Their 'clubs' are reinforced with one of the toughest biological materials known to science.