Graham Wise
Trap-Jaw Ant
Daceton armigerum
For more cool macro-photos and fun animal life stories go to www.wise-photo.com.
The fastest predatory motion of any animal on earth is owned by trap-jaw ants. Like the one pictured here, trap-jaw ants hunt with their large jaws held open at 180 degrees. When the sensory hairs that are visible in this photo make contact with prey, the jaws spring closed. This impressive springing action occurs at over 200 kilometers per hour, closing in about 2.5 milliseconds, with a peak force of 300 times the body weight of the ant.
Trap-Jaw Ant
Daceton armigerum
For more cool macro-photos and fun animal life stories go to www.wise-photo.com.
The fastest predatory motion of any animal on earth is owned by trap-jaw ants. Like the one pictured here, trap-jaw ants hunt with their large jaws held open at 180 degrees. When the sensory hairs that are visible in this photo make contact with prey, the jaws spring closed. This impressive springing action occurs at over 200 kilometers per hour, closing in about 2.5 milliseconds, with a peak force of 300 times the body weight of the ant.