PRAWN TO BE WILD WORLD'S TOUGHEST SPECIES OF SHRIMP 'SO HARD THEY CAN CRACK GLASS AQUARIUM TANKS’

 The Sun 29 October 2020 - by Adam Bennett

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The world’s toughest species of shrimp has been discovered by experts

EXPERTS have identified the world’s toughest species of shrimp — skinheads of the seabed who are so hard they can crack glass aquarium tanks.

The so-called “prawn killers” have clubs for claws and smash their way into rivals’ burrows, striking at speeds faster than a bullet.

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The shrimps can smash their way into rivals’ burrows, researchers sayCredit: AlamyThe crazed crustaceans stake out opponents’ homes in coral rubble before sending shell-shocked victims packing, a study shows.

Growing to over a foot long, the carnivores are a type of mantis shrimp known as “smashers” because of the club-like appendage that can kill prey and rivals.

They even create a flash of light by vapourising water with their fierce blows — and can cause painful gashes to humans.

But deep down the Shell’s Angels are bullies — more likely to pile in if their rivals are smaller, scientists at the University of Exeter and Duke University in the US found.

Exeter’s Dr Patrick Green said: “As a smaller burrow is probably occupied by a smaller opponent, it seems mantis shrimps will compromise on the size of the home if it means an easier fight.”

Dr Green said the strikes can accelerate as fast as a bullet, reach a speed of more than 50 miles per hour and even create a flash of light by vapourising water upon contact.

The shrimps were collected off the Caribbean coast of Panama.

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The species can strike at speeds of up to 50mphCredit: PA:Press Association