From Where does the Pistol Shrimp get its name ?

 

Pistol Shrimp is famous for its claws.

Earlier, we learned how they dig burrows and clean the fins of Goby with it. But these claws are unique for a very different reason.

     

Look how different its two arms are. What is special is its left claw, which is bigger.

Look at these claws closely in the picture on the right.

They snap these claws together very very quickly. The water between them gets squeezed and produces a jet out of the claws. It travels at the speed of 100 km / hr. It becomes so hot that the water vaporizes to form an air bubble .

                                                    This is how the bubble comes out.

This small bubble has almost nothing inside, we call this a vacuum bubble. Sea Water around the bubble rushes to fill this empty space forming great shockwaves which travel faster than sound !

The bubble explodes and sends these shockwaves all over. The place where the bubble explodes becomes almost as hot as the Sun ! A small flash of light is also produced .

Any small creature in the path of these shockwaves gets stunned and immediately dies.

This loud explosion makes Pistol Shrimps one of the loudest animals in the Sea.

How do Pistol Shrimps hunt ?

Pistol Shrimps hide in their burrow. Often the Goby Fish tells them of a nearby prey. Finding them near, the shrimp snaps its big claws shut and sends out shockwaves, as we learnt before. The prey becomes unconscious. Then, the pistol shrimp drags it into its burrow for food.

You can hear the explosion of their bubble from very far. Pistol Shrimps far away also create bubble blasts for communicating with each other.

So, we come to know that in spite of having these dangerous claws, they can be very good partners with Goby Fish.

Let us turn to one another interesting partnerships in the sea!

How do Pistol Shrimps hunt ?

Pistol Shrimps hide in their burrow. Often the Goby Fish tells them of a nearby prey. Finding them near, the shrimp snaps its big claws shut and sends out shockwaves, as we learnt before. The prey becomes unconscious. Then, the pistol shrimp drags it into its burrow for food.

You can hear the explosion of their bubble from very far. Pistol Shrimps far away also create bubble blasts for communicating with each other.

So, we come to know that in spite of having these dangerous claws, they can be very good partners with Goby Fish.

Let us turn to one another interesting partnerships in the sea!

Click : Sea Anemone and the Clownfish