Alpheidae a.k.a Pistol Shrimp6/3/2008 11:28:00 PMAs member of the Caridean snapping shrimp family this finger-sized shrimp is known as the "loudest animal in the sea" along side much larger animals like the sperm whale and the beluga whale. Although the shrimp has something in common with those whales, there is something about the Pistol Shrimp that sets them separate in a very unique way.
The sound comes from the shrimp's boxing glove shaped claws when shut to fight off prey. Once the claws shut the sound it makes is incredibly loud noise and creates a bubble, mimicing the sound and flash of a gun. Not only does the bubble emit a loud bang (at 240 decibels louder than a jet fighter) but it creates extreme temperature and pressure before bursting.
The rapid motion of the claws sends a jet of water out at the speed of 62 mph. The whole process happens within 300 microseconds. The flashing light comes from the sonoluminescence (Sonoluminescence: is the emission of short bursts of light from imploding bubbles in a liquid when excited by sound.- Wikipedia.org)
when the bubble collapse. Although the flash happens it can not be seen to the naked eye because it happens so fast.
This suggest that the heat inside the bubble can reach up to 18,000 degrees Fahrenheit before it collapse! Then BLAM! Considering the size of the shrimp this bubble can actually kill small fish, but it is usually the sound and heat the fight off their larger and more dangerous prey.
TALKING ABOUT BRINGING THE HEAT! WHO SHOT'CHA!?