Trap-jaw ants close mandibles at 140 miles per hour
Trap-jaw ants deliver lightning-fast strikes by closing their mandibles at up to 140 miles per hour, showcasing one of nature's most powerful and versatile animal movements for hunting and escape.
Trap-jaw ants, from the genus Odontomachus, snap their mandibles shut at an astonishing 140 miles per hour at the tips. This incredible speed, detailed in a 2006 study, makes it one of the fastest movements in the animal kingdom, with acceleration exceeding 100,000 meters per second squared.
There's more to this story — open the app to keep reading.
Continue Reading in App
2 more paragraphs · plus a 2-question quiz