The mantis shrimp comes equipped with its own weapons. It has claws that look like permanently clenched fists that are known as dactyl clubs. But when it smashes the shells of its prey ...

Mantis shrimp are powerful little crustaceans ... invertebrates use the power of physics as a shield. Their punching fist, called a dactyl club, has a protective structure with multiple layers ...

A mantis shrimp's punch creates high-energy waves. Its exoskeleton is designed to absorb that energy, preventing cracking and tissue damage.

With a single blow, a mantis shrimp can kill prey or defend its territory against rivals. A study published in Science explores the mechanisms that allow the mantis shrimp's striking limb to ...

Powerful punch Peacock mantis shrimp use a complex system of biological latches and springs in their dactyl clubs to unleash a punch at a speed of 75 feet per second (23 meters per second ...

Their punching fist, called a dactyl club ... “To repeatedly execute these high-impact strikes, the mantis shrimp’s dactyl club must have a robust protection mechanism to prevent self-damage ...