Mantis Shrimp Blog

[OUsnakebyte]

My friend Margaret and her husband are stomatopod-philic aquarists. She posted a blog for her internship here:

 

Mantis Blog

 

Also, if you click on her links in her blog, there is some REALLY fascinating information from two different researchers concerning mantids (the first details the physics behind their strike and the other details circular polarized light).

 

 

Here is one of my favorite quotes from the circular polarized light blog:

 

Concerning never finding CPL receptors anywhere in the aniumal kingdom before, the author writes "However, when some visual modality seems unlikely, its always good to check with the mantis shrimp before completely ruling it out."

 

So true.

 

Enjoy,

Mike

[extreme_tooth_decay]

My friend Margaret and her husband are stomatopod-philic aquarists. She posted a blog for her internship here:

 

 

Hi

 

Nice to see other mantis types out there.

 

Unfortunately, I see they have fallen victim to perpetuating the myth:

"Name one other creature whose front appendages can have the same force as a .22 caliber bullet"

 

This is way, way off. While they may strike at the speed of a .22, with enormously less mass in their appendages than a lead bullet, they have enormously less force than a .22 bullet...

 

I myself have watched a big peacock strike 1/16" incredibly thin aquarium glass (2.5G) hundreds of times. Never cracked it. A .22 would crack glass at least 16 times that thick...would probably chip glass 100 times that thick.

 

Just think what would happen if you shot a 2.5G tank with a .22. It would completely explode. A mantis doesn't even have the force if a BB gun. I have been stricken my a medium sized chiragra several times (which is the hardest hitting mantis there is). My finger did not get blown off or shredded like it would with a .22. Didn't even come close to breaking the skin.

 

Not to say they aren't tough (they are), but I hate it when I see that particular mis-characterization. Normally when you see videos of them taking a crab, they hit the crab or snail over and over and over and over...if it was anything remotely like a .22, the crab would disintegrate on the first hit.

 

Happy smashing!

Edited March 4, 2011 by extreme_tooth_decay

[OUsnakebyte]

Of course I agree that a bullet fired from a gun would do considerably more damage than the blow from a mantis.

 

I thought that ounce-for-ounce the force is comparable - similar to the strength seen in Nephila orb-weaver spiders. Their silk is compared to the strength of steel but of course a steel beam is going to hold much more than a spider's web. But, ounce for ounce, the spider silk has greater tensile strength than steel.

 

I could be totally wrong here - that's just what I was told when I asked the same question (re a bullet fired from a gun vs the strike from a mantis).

 

Cheers

Mike

[extreme_tooth_decay]

Hmm...I am not sure if the correct argument is ounce-for-ounce or "same speed" (I thought it was "same speed")...in either case, it is not "the same force"...I get comments almost every day on my youtube videos from people who think it is the same literal force...

 

 

I thought that ounce-for-ounce the force is comparable - similar to the strength seen in Nephila orb-weaver spiders. Their silk is compared to the strength of steel but of course a steel beam is going to hold much more than a spider's web. But, ounce for ounce, the spider silk has greater tensile strength than steel.

 

Right...I agree.

 

I've always thought it was the same measured speed, but it is possible it is the ounce for ounce force...in either case, I think that additional phrase ("ounce for ounce" or "same speed") is very import to add, or else people start thinking crazy things....

[extreme_tooth_decay]

FYI, the wikipedia articla (if you take any stock in that), says

 

"about the acceleration of a .22 calibre bullet". Neither the speed nor the force. Heh.

 

 

This site claims the speed of a mantis strike is less than 1/10 the speed of a .22 bullet, and furthermore the .22 bullet comparison was really intended for pistol shrimp and never for mantis:

"Well, according to the presentation the snapping speed is 20m/s. A .22 caliber bullet goes 330 m/s."

"I am pretty sure that a .22 cal bullet has quite a bit more energy behind it."

"That was cool but I thought that the 22 analogy was for another crustacean that snapped its claw together creating a percussion"

 

The famous Sheila Patek video (LINK) says the snapping speed is around 20m/s (15 times slower than a .22, if you believe a .22 goes 330 m/s).

 

 

Unfortunately, with this hobby, there is a lot of misinformation out there...which is why I think being very clear is important, as well as not believing everything you read...I am amazed how many people believe the literal force of a mantis strike is the same as a .22 bullet.

 

OK, off the soap box now.

[BowieReefer84]

You need 3/4" acrylic to keep them from cracking tanks.....

[FearTheTerps]

I have a .22 rifle, a .22 ruger pistol and about 500 rounds of ammo if anyone wants to do some experimenting lol. Haven't been shooting in awhile.

[smallville]

Any one know where I can buy a peacock mantis online or local?

[Origami]

Any one know where I can buy a peacock mantis online or local?

A couple of years ago, a number of club members were picking them up from Roozens over in Maryland. Haven't heard much about people getting them recently, though.

[smallville]

Thanks.

[zygote2k]

I stopped into Roozens on Thursday and they had 2) 4" Peacock Mantis available. They also had every known fish disease or parasite available as well...

[smallville]

Hmmm....Interesting. Thanks. I haven't been there in about 10 years but I recall them being better than that. At least I think I remember that because I used to always buy from them.