The Incredible Shrimp That Fires Superheated Bubbles
- Feb 16
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 23
Student summary by Audrey Kim
Original Source: Catherine Morris, WorldAtlas, June 6, 2025.
Image created by Audrey Kim
Abstract
Background:
Pistol shrimps use their strong, quick claw to form a bubble underwater that can injure or kill their prey. A snap of a pistol shrimp can reach up to 210 decibels, about as loud as a gunshot, and the heat of the water bubble is similar to the surface of the sun (for a very short time). They use this technique to defend themselves, chase off intruders, or hunt.
Objective:
When divers started to notice changes in underwater noise following incidents such as oil spills and hurricanes, it gave scientists an idea. They decided they could learn about the condition of the ocean by counting the frequency of snapping. They said they could potentially track damage caused by coral disease or bleaching, as well as chemical spills or marine traffic.
Method:
Even though the research is still in the early stages, scientists working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have already begun collecting data in what is called the Sanctuary Soundscape Monitoring Project, which monitors areas under the Florida Keys and in Gray’s Reef, as well as locations off Georgia. They wanted to find out what is normal for the shrimps so that they could use it as a baseline for comparison.
Result:
The researchers said that snapping habits can vary based on the environment, such as location, season, and even the time of day. It turned out that snapping increased as the water warmed up, so the ocean becomes noisier in the spring and summer. There was also evidence that the shrimps become more active when the sun goes down.
Conclusion:
These little creatures living underwater might be worth listening to more than people think. The snapping they make can signal changes in the ocean and in delicate coral ecosystems.
