Chapter 1
The physics of the pop
Chapter 2
The ultimate roommate agreement
Chapter 3
Underwater sonic warfare
Chapter 4
The weird world of eusocial colonies
YOUR GOAL
Master of The secret sonic weapon of the pistol shrimp
Ch 2 · The ultimate roommate agreement
alicecooks The Ultimate Roommate Agreement
I dig the sand, you watch the door (yeah, we share the floor!) / Flick your tail, let's dive below (oh, down we go!)
alicecooks Constant clearing of sand, pebbles, and shells keeps these shifting, three-foot-deep shared burrows safe from sudden collapse.
Fun Fact
Perfect roommates: Some pistol shrimp and gobies live together for their entire adult lives, sharing the exact same burrow and never leaving each other's side.
Glossary
symbiosis (noun)
A close and prolonged association between two different biological organisms. This cooperative relationship allows a nearly blind shrimp and a sharp-eyed goby to share a protective burrow.
A close and prolonged association between two different biological organisms. This cooperative relationship allows a nearly blind shrimp and a sharp-eyed goby to share a protective burrow.
Quiz
Where in the world can you find species of pistol shrimp and gobies living in symbiosis?
Quiz
What warning signal does the goby fish use to tell the pistol shrimp that danger is near?
Quiz
What tool or body part does the pistol shrimp use like a bulldozer to clear sand?
Quiz
How many species of gobies are known to participate in partnerships with pistol shrimp?
Quiz
What does the goby fish get in return for acting as a lookout for the pistol shrimp?
Quiz
Why does the pistol shrimp need a goby fish partner to survive outside the burrow?