How Bizarre Life

Some shrimp make plasma with their claws. Now a 3-D printed claw can too

A replica of the appendage creates bubbles that produce high pressures and temperatures

snapping shrimp

OH SNAP!  Snapping shrimp slam their claws shut, producing bubbles that generate plasma and unleash shock waves at prey. Scientists have now reproduced this phenomenon using a 3-D printed claw replica.

Christian Gloor/Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

By Emily Conover

- More than 2 years ago

Some shrimp have a secret superpower: Snapping their claws unleashes bubbles that produce plasma and shock waves to stun prey.