The Secret Behind the Mantis Shrimp’s Devastating Punch
Mantis shrimps are known for their lightning-fast, shell-crushing punches, but how do they withstand their own devastating strikes without injury? Scientists have finally uncovered the secret—an advanced shock-absorbing “shield” built into their hammer-like fists.
The peacock mantis shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus) delivers the most powerful self-powered punch in the animal kingdom. Using specialized dactyl clubs, these tiny warriors can smash through shells—and even aquarium glass—with a force comparable to a .22 caliber bullet.
A Natural Shock Absorber
Given the immense impact of their punches, researchers have long wondered how mantis shrimps avoid injuring themselves. A new study, published in Science on February 6, reveals the answer: their clubs are structured to act as natural shock absorbers, filtering out harmful stress waves.
“We found it uses phononic mechanisms—structures that selectively filter stress waves,” explained study co-author Horacio Dante Espinosa, a professor of mechanical and biomedical engineering at Northwestern University. “This enables the shrimp to preserve its striking ability over multiple impacts and prevent soft tissue damage.”
Nature’s Perfect Impact Shield
Peacock mantis shrimps use an intricate system of biological latches and springs to launch their punches at speeds of 75 feet per second (23 meters per second)—50 times faster than the blink of an eye. This incredible speed generates immense force, along with dangerous shock waves.
The researchers found that the shrimp’s dactyl clubs contain a unique Bouligand structure, which acts as a phononic shield, selectively filtering out high-frequency shear waves that could cause damage. This natural optimization makes their clubs incredibly impact-resistant.
Future Applications
Beyond unlocking nature’s secrets, this discovery has real-world implications. The study’s findings could inspire the development of advanced, sound-filtering materials for protective gear, helping to reduce blast-related injuries in the military and high-impact sports.
By studying one of nature’s most formidable strikers, scientists may have paved the way for stronger, more resilient materials—proof that the mantis shrimp’s punch extends far beyond the ocean.