Super Slow Motion Video of a Mantis Shrimp Punching Its Prey

Smarter Every Day shot some super slow motion video of a mantis shrimp punching its prey in order to get to the bottom of the mechanics behind the fascinating animal’s killer high speed strike.

That punch is so fast it can’t be accomplished by muscle movement alone. There must be something else going on, which brings up Sheila Patek. Believe it or not, Dr. Patek has determined that the shape of this potato chip is the secret to the punch of a mantis shrimp.

Brian Heater
Brian Heater