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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?
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.
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)
"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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What's this? A Slashdotter that knows girls? Sir, I accuse you of lying.
Programmer: an ingenious device that converts caffeine into code.
...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