tech
Six mind-bendingly amazing facts about invertebrates
Just in case you hadn’t already realised how extraordinary the gigantic group of creatures known as invertebrates are, we’ve gathered together five facts that made our brains hurt (plus one more, because we couldn’t choose). Tell us your favourite extraordinary fact in the comments below
TL;DR
- Mantis shrimp strike prey faster than a .22 calibre bullet, creating cavitation bubbles and surviving due to a 'phonic shield'.
- Spiders use electrical fields, in addition to wind, for long-distance travel ('ballooning').
- Paper wasps can perform logical deduction to avoid electric shocks.
- Sea urchins drill into rock with self-sharpening teeth that never dull.
- Caribbean box jellyfish, lacking a central brain, can learn from their environment.
- Some beheaded fruit flies can survive for days, exhibiting normal functions due to decentralized mini-brains.