We must open up our wounds.

animalworld: PISTOL SHRIMPSuper Family: Alpheoidea©Ellen Muller The pistol shrimp competes with much larger animals like the Sperm Whale and Beluga Whale for the title of ‘loudest animal in the sea’. Amazing, given that the pistol shrimp is only 1–2 inches (3–5 cm) long. It is distinctive for its disproportionately large claw, (larger than half the shrimp’s body) which does not have pincers at the end. Rather, it has a pistol-like feature made of two parts. A joint allows the “hammer” part to move backward into a cocking position like a gun. When released, it snaps into the other part of the claw, creating a cavitation bubble capable of stunning fish and breaking small glass jars. As the bubble extends out from the claw, it reaches speeds up to 60 miles per hour (97 km/h) and releases a sound reaching 218 decibels. The duration of the click is less than 1 millisecond. The snap can also produce sonoluminescence [light] from the collapsing bubble. As it collapses, the cavitation bubble reaches temperatures of over 5,000 K (4,700 °C). In comparison, the surface temperature of the sun is estimated to be around 5,800 K (5,500 °C). The light is not visible to the naked eye. It is likely a by-product of the shock wave. It was the first known instance of an animal producing light by this effect. The snapping is used for hunting, as well as for communication. When feeding, the shrimp usually lies in an obscured spot, such as a burrow. The shrimp then extends its antennae outwards to determine if any fish are passing by. Once it feels movement, the shrimp inches out of its hiding place, pulls back its claw, and releases a “shot” which stuns the prey; the shrimp pulls it into the burrow and feeds. Source Excellent video of the Pistol Shrimp in action:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKPrGxB1Kzc Other posts you may like: Rainbow Mantis Shrimp  - also sonoluminescent Sexy Anemone Shrimp Peppermint Shrimp

animalworld:

PISTOL SHRIMP
Super Family: Alpheoidea
©Ellen Muller

The pistol shrimp competes with much larger animals like the Sperm Whale and Beluga Whale for the title of ‘loudest animal in the sea’. Amazing, given that the pistol shrimp is only 1–2 inches (3–5 cm) long.

It is distinctive for its disproportionately large claw, (larger than half the shrimp’s body) which does not have pincers at the end. Rather, it has a pistol-like feature made of two parts. A joint allows the “hammer” part to move backward into a cocking position like a gun. When released, it snaps into the other part of the claw, creating a cavitation bubble capable of stunning fish and breaking small glass jars.

As the bubble extends out from the claw, it reaches speeds up to 60 miles per hour (97 km/h) and releases a sound reaching 218 decibels. The duration of the click is less than 1 millisecond.

The snap can also produce sonoluminescence [light] from the collapsing bubble. As it collapses, the cavitation bubble reaches temperatures of over 5,000 K (4,700 °C). In comparison, the surface temperature of the sun is estimated to be around 5,800 K (5,500 °C). The light is not visible to the naked eye. It is likely a by-product of the shock wave. It was the first known instance of an animal producing light by this effect.

The snapping is used for hunting, as well as for communication. When feeding, the shrimp usually lies in an obscured spot, such as a burrow. The shrimp then extends its antennae outwards to determine if any fish are passing by. Once it feels movement, the shrimp inches out of its hiding place, pulls back its claw, and releases a “shot” which stuns the prey; the shrimp pulls it into the burrow and feeds. Source

Excellent video of the Pistol Shrimp in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKPrGxB1Kzc

Other posts you may like:

Rainbow Mantis Shrimp  - also sonoluminescent

Sexy Anemone Shrimp

Peppermint Shrimp

Reblogged 1 month ago from trumanhandcrafted (Originally from animalworld) 829 notes
rachelisamused: zoomalark: pelosdegato: lickthegerman: sakura-celes: williamtantantospears: People born in 1990 can legally drink alcohol. Obama was sworn into office 3 years ago. Michael Jackson died over 2.5 years ago. 2007 was HALF A FUCKING DECADE ago. There are kids in middle school now that don’t even remember 9/11. There are girls born in 1998 who are pregnant. There are over 600 pokemon. no no no no no no no no [[I DON’T LIKE GROWING UP.]] Oh hey that’s how old I am.  /cries ;__; Mi juventud….. H O W I turn 22 in November. I don’t know how to be an adult yet.

rachelisamused:

zoomalark:

pelosdegato:

lickthegerman:

sakura-celes:

williamtantantospears:

People born in 1990 can legally drink alcohol.

Obama was sworn into office 3 years ago.

Michael Jackson died over 2.5 years ago.

2007 was HALF A FUCKING DECADE ago.

There are kids in middle school now that don’t even remember 9/11.

There are girls born in 1998 who are pregnant.

There are over 600 pokemon.

no no no no no no no no

[[I DON’T LIKE GROWING UP.]]

Oh hey that’s how old I am. 

/cries

;__; Mi juventud…..

H O W

I turn 22 in November. I don’t know how to be an adult yet.

Reblogged 1 month ago from rachelisamused (Originally from ) 51,379 notes
thefluffingtonpost: Area Kitty Upset by Mainstream Media Portrayal of Cats Pickle, a local cat, is furious by the mainstream media’s negative portrayal of his species.  ”Cats are often depicted by the media as poor spellers, many times engaged in an activity with some sort of invisible friend, tool or instrument,” said Larry Owens, the cat’s lawyer.  ”Pickle feels that he speaks for cats everywhere when he says that he is sick of this damaging stereotype and how it is constantly reinforced by the mainstream press.” Pickle is seeking a formal acknowledgement of the issue from the Society of Professional Journalists and plans to put together an educational packet entitled “The Rich History of Cats: No LOLing Matter” to be released this fall. Via Steven2005. View Larger

thefluffingtonpost:

Area Kitty Upset by Mainstream Media Portrayal of Cats

Pickle, a local cat, is furious by the mainstream media’s negative portrayal of his species.  ”Cats are often depicted by the media as poor spellers, many times engaged in an activity with some sort of invisible friend, tool or instrument,” said Larry Owens, the cat’s lawyer.  ”Pickle feels that he speaks for cats everywhere when he says that he is sick of this damaging stereotype and how it is constantly reinforced by the mainstream press.”

Pickle is seeking a formal acknowledgement of the issue from the Society of Professional Journalists and plans to put together an educational packet entitled “The Rich History of Cats: No LOLing Matter” to be released this fall.

Via Steven2005.

Reblogged 1 month ago from npr (Originally from thefluffingtonpost) 673 notes