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Trap-Jaw Ants Break Speed Records With Jaws

Posted by ryuzaki0 on Wednesday August 23, 2006 @06:18AM from the very-small-accelerometers dept.

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.

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Re:I guess a jellyfish sting doesn't count by Anonymous Coward · 2006-08-23 07:23 · Score: 1, Insightful

Because it's not a predatory strike.
Re:Does this dethrone the shrimp? by ogewo · 2006-08-23 21:25 · Score: 2, Insightful

Let's keep in mind that the mantis strike is done in water. Any way to estimate what the speed would be above water? I imagine it would be a closer race.