Mind Blown

The mantis shrimp can throw the fastest and most powerful punch in the entire world.

If you're unlucky enough to count yourself an enemy of the mantis shrimp, then you'd better learn how to take a punch, and fast. Although, to be honest, you'd be wasting your time you wouldn't even see that right hook coming These shrimp may be small, but they can punch at 80 km/hour, landing that blow with the same force as a rifle bullet. This punch would definitely leave some imaginary little birds chirping around your head.

It's even more mind-blowing when you realise this stunning punch is thrown in water, moving rapidly through considerable drag and resistance.Nothing can get in the mantis shrimp's way as it delivers its thunderous wallop in three thousandths of a second.

The shrimp's power and speed come from the large muscles in its upper arm, which fire like a spring, accelerating at up to10,000 times the force of gravity! So quickly does that arm move through the water that it lowers the pressure, pushes the water to boiling point and produces flashes of light. Further damage is inflicted as the water pressure returns to normal and a tremendous amount of energy is released.

These tough-guy crustaceans use their power to feast on crabs, snails and small fish but are known to take on large fish and even the occasional octopus! They also have a reputation for cracking aquarium glass and damaging boats.

The mantis shrimp is one little fighter you do not want to mess with.