#30: Tiny But Loud
Snapping or pistol shrimps are tiny but incredibly noisy creatures that inhabit various oceans and seas around the world. They have gained notoriety for their unique ability to create a loud snapping sound by closing their oversized claw at astonishing speeds. This action generates a high-pressure cavitation bubble that collapses with a loud pop, reaching up to 200 decibels.
These shrimps often live in colonies, and so when many of them snap their claws simultaneously, the combined noise can be quite disruptive. In fact, their cacophonous activities have been known to interfere with underwater sonar systems used by submarines and other marine animals! Despite their small size, pistol shrimps have a big impact on the underwater acoustic environment.