The Top 10 Animal Superpowers

So you think Spiderman’s and Catwoman’s special powers are impressive. They’re nothing compared to what these creatures can do

  • By Sarah Zielinski
  • Smithsonian.com, December 06, 2012
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The Peacock Mantis Shrimp’s Superfast Punch

The Hulk may smash, but punch for punch, this mantis shrimp may have him beat. Or it would if the Hulk was only a few inches tall. Scientists have clocked this punch at speeds of more than 50 feet per second, the fastest punch on record, with a peak acceleration more than 10,000 times that of gravity. Due to a phenomenon called cavitation, a bubble of air forms in front of the shrimp’s swiftly moving claw. When that bubble collapses, it produces a powerful shock wave that stuns, or even kills, the shrimp’s snail, crab or oyster prey.

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Comments (2)

Pretty colors! I'd like to know more!

Would it be possible for iPhones to view images? Thanks!



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