Hey there! I’ve been researching these fascinating little creatures and let me tell you – mantis shrimp are no joke when it comes to packing a punch. Let’s dive into what happens if you’re unfortunate enough to get hit by one.
The Power Behind the Punch
These little fighters can definitely hurt you! Here’s what makes their strike so dangerous:
- Hits as hard as a .22 caliber bullet
- Strikes at speeds up to 45 mph (20 meters/second)
- Delivers up to 200 pounds (91 kg) of force
- Creates underwater heat up to 8500°F (4700°C) – way hotter than the sun’s surface!
Real Stories of Mantis Shrimp Injuries
I’ve found several cases where these tiny powerhouses have hurt people:
- A 50-year-old fisherman got struck in the arm while unhooking one
- Two Brazilian fishermen were injured while handling their nets
- Some folks have been hurt by accidentally stepping on them (they hide in burrows!)
Types of Injuries You Might Get
When a mantis shrimp hits you expect
- Deep wounds with rounded edges
- Tissue damage
- Heavy bleeding
- Intense pain (fishermen say it hurts like crazy!)
How to Heal from a Mantis Shrimp Strike
If you get hit, here’s what works:
- Clean the wound with soap and water
- Get antibiotics from a doctor
- Keep the wound clean while it heals
- Expect healing to take about a week with proper care
Good News!
Despite their powerful punch, no human has ever been killed by a mantis shrimp attack You might need medical attention, but you’ll survive!
Pro Tips to Stay Safe
- Don’t try to handle them bare-handed
- Watch your step in shallow tropical waters
- Be extra careful if you’re fishing and catch one
- Keep your distance if you spot one while diving
I gotta say, these little creatures are amazing but definitely deserve our respect. While they won’t kill ya, getting punched by one is no fun at all! Just remember to be careful if you ever encounter one of these underwater boxers.
Have you ever had a close encounter with a mantis shrimp? I’d love to hear your story in the comments below! Stay safe out there, ocean explorers!
FIGURE 3: Chart with description of the cases of injuries caused by stomatopods and their outcomes.
There are no guidelines on prevention of injuries caused by the stomatopods, possibly because such incidents rarely occur. Based on the information obtained in this research, we recommend the following procedure for treating injuries caused by the stomatopods:
FIGURE 2: (A) Scars from injuries caused by a stomatopod, as described in case 2; (B) Injury on the right foot of a fisherman caused by a stomatopod, as described in case 3; (C) Injury on the left hand caused by a stomatopod, as described in case 4; tissue loss is seen in the wound due to the injury. Photo B was taken by Dr. João L. C. Cardoso.
Case 3: A 22-year-old fisherman in Ubatuba, São Paulo state, Brazil, was wounded by a stomatopod when disembarking and removing the net with fish. He stepped on something and felt intense pain in the medial malleolus of his right foot. He reported seeing the stomatopod because the water was clear in the spot, although he was unable to capture it. The area bled heavily, and the wound persisted for months (Figure 2B). At the time of recording the interview, there was an extensive scar in the area 20 .
Case 4: A 25-year-old biology student in Ubatuba, São Paulo state, Brazil, was injured on his left hand by a stomatopod while handling a specimen during a field study (Figure 2C). The claws caused a deep laceration with heavy bleeding, resulting in an ulcer that healed after approximately three weeks. The animal was not collected for subsequent identification.
The interviews we conducted indicate that fishermen know how these crustaceans cause injuries. They stated that the claw is dangerous, and caution is necessary to avoid getting hurt. The results showed that the stomatopods can cause injuries to humans when manipulated in fishing nets or rods, when stepped on in the sandy bottom, or in an attempt to capture them manually. The structure of the claws of both the spearers and smashers are highly specialized for capturing prey and have potential to cause injury in humans.
These animals have great strength and speed, as indicated by the injury depicted in Figure 2C; there is local tissue loss; however, it is not possible to precisely determine whether the wound was caused by a spearer or smasher. In Figure 2B, the wound appears to be deeper and has a rounded shape, which indicates a great focal impact; therefore, it might have been caused by a specimen with smasher claws.
The information that we obtained was organized in a chart to help health professionals and researchers study the data about the injuries (Figure 3).
When a MANTIS SHRIMP PUNCHES A HUMAN(it forking hurts!)
FAQ
Are mantis shrimp punches painful?
Dubbed “sea locusts” by ancient Assyrians, “prawn killers” in Australia, and now sometimes referred to as “thumb splitters” due to their ability to inflict painful wounds if handled incautiously, mantis shrimp possess powerful raptorial appendages that are used to attack and kill prey either by spearing, stunning, or …
Can mantis shrimp break bulletproof glass?
While a mantis shrimp can certainly break standard glass, it is unlikely to break bulletproof glass, which is designed to withstand impacts. Mantis shrimp are known for their powerful “punch,” a quick strike with their dactyl clubs, that can shatter crab shells and even aquarium glass.
How hard can mantis shrimp punch?
A mantis shrimp’s punch is incredibly powerful, comparable to a .22 caliber bullet in terms of acceleration and force. They can strike with speeds up to 50 miles per hour and deliver a force that can shatter shells, break aquarium glass, and even chip bone.
Are mantis shrimp dangerous?
The fishermen consider the mantis shrimp dangerous and avoid direct contact with them on account of the associated risk. We describe five reports of human injuries caused by these animals: four by the claws and one by the tail spikes.
What happens if a mantis shrimp bites a human?
If a mantis shrimp manages to bite a human, it can cause a laceration or puncture wound. These injuries can be painful and potentially lead to infection if not promptly treated. 3. How strong is a mantis shrimp punch? The punch of a mantis shrimp is incredibly powerful, exceeding the speed of a bullet.
Can a mantis shrimp punch a person?
A mantis shrimp’s powerful punch can hurt humans. A shrimp can land before a person even realizes it is there because its strike is so quick. Shrimp punches cause deep wounds and lacerations with rounded edges. There is almost always a loss of tissue after a mantis strike and heavy bleeding.
Can a mantis shrimp break bones?
Truly one of the most extreme hunters on the planet, a full-force blow from a mantis shrimp could certainly break bones or cause trauma injuries in humans. The mantis shrimp’s powerful raptorial appendages can inflict painful blows on humans, even when simply handling the creature.
Do mantis shrimp Sting?
The mantis shrimp’s tail, however, is actually the thing that causes the least damage. Two fishermen from Brazil were injured by mantis shrimp they found in their fishing nets. When trying to get the shrimp out of the nets, the fishermen received stinging strikes from the animals.
What happened to mantis shrimp?
Two fishermen from Brazil were injured by mantis shrimp they found in their fishing nets. When trying to get the shrimp out of the nets, the fishermen received stinging strikes from the animals. One of the fishermen rinsed the wound with soap and water and saw it heal in one week.