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Trap-Jaw Ants Break Speed Records With Jaws
Ant writes to tell us UC Berkeley News is reporting that a species of Ant native to Central and South America is setting speed records with their jaws. The trap-jaw ant has been clocked closing its mandibles at between 78 and 145 miles per hour, said to be the "fastest self-powered predatory strike in the animal kingdom". In addition to blinding speed the ants have also been taped using their jaws to fling themselves into the air.
The average duration of a strike was a mere 0.13 milliseconds, or 2,300 times faster than the blink of an eye.The average duration of a strike was a mere 0.13 milliseconds, or 2,300 times faster than the blink of an eye.
Notice that at no time do my jaws leave my head...
"We are all geniuses when we dream"
- E.M. Cioran
My 0.02 cents
Anybody check to see if there were banned substances in the ant?
What i learned from the article.
1) Black ants can jump.
The researchers used a high-speed video camera filming at 50,000 frames per second to visualize the mandible movements.
2) If i want a high-speed camera, become a researcher.
The jumps were detailed at a relatively slower 3,000 frames per second.
3) Jumping is slower than eating.
The average duration of a strike was a mere 0.13 milliseconds, or 2,300 times faster than the blink of an eye.
4) Blinking is slower than eating.
Yet, the researchers note that even when an ant lands on its back or head, the insect is so light that it can still walk away no worse for wear.
5) These ants are light headed.
Have you read my journal today?
welcome our insectoid jaw-flapping overlords.
And I mean it, too. With yaps like that, they'll be stars of international politics in no time flat.
Slashdot Burying Stories About Slashdot Media Owned
This ant reminds me of some girls I know...
So this is like rocket-jumping in Quake, right?
"welcome our insectoid jaw-flapping overlords"
Don't tell me: Another Ann Coulter appearance on Hannity and Colmes last night?
Where were you when the voynix came?
Yes, but white ants have sound fundamentals, and they are deceptively fast. It has been reported that with advancements in genetic engineering, Chinese ants will soon be just as good.
Anyone else uncomfortable with the phrases "pound for pound" and "largest member" being used in the same sentence?
It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
Anyone else uncomfortable with the phrases "pound for pound" and "largest member" being used in the same sentence?
Not me. It's comments like those that made me get a Slashdot account.
Let's hope they can retract their tongue at record breaking speeds.
Karma: Excer..ex...excellahhh...realll good (mostly affected by drinking not done in moderation)
Nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.
"The trap-jaw ant has been clocked closing its mandibles at between 78 and 145 miles per hour"
Shouldn't that be in bites per second?
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Still here
http://blogoscare.blogspot.com/
After watching those videos, I have retracted my previously firm belief that ninjas are mammals. Arthropods can obviously be ninjas as well.
In that first video that ant disappears from the site of the ant that is watching him, trims his toenails and files his tax return in mid air before landing directly behind his unsuspecting neighbor all in less than a second. Amazing.
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"...fastest self-powered predatory strike..."
So, you've met my x-wife and lived to tell about it, eh?
Come to think of it, Alan Colmes really DOES look like a giant bug.
Where were you when the voynix came?
Here's what I think we should do:
(that was my first, 1-2-3 profit post... I feel a part of the community now)
Wow! This must be a PERSONAL letter, just for me!
...these scientists have never seen my g/f's response when she sees my paycheck in my hand.
"fastest self-powered predatory strike in the animal kingdom" my ass.
-Styopa
According to TFA, they calculated the speed by using a high speed camera, and calculated that the ant closed its jaws on the bait in 130 microseconds. The record for opening a jaw though, at 110 microseconds after seeing the "bait," is still held by Paris Hilton.
https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere
Only if they can then open their mouth as fast.
Then you could have a killa-bites-per-second.
See my art -> http://herbevore.deviantart.com