Scientists discover nature’s newest strongest material is sea snail teeth
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PORTSMOUTH, England – Here’s something to chew on. Science has just discovered the strongest known material found in nature, and you could say the creature that actually makes this stuff, is armed to the teeth. Meet the incredible Mr. Limpet.
Actually, a limpet is a type of sea-snail with a shell. But evidently, it’s his dentures that are super strong! In fact, scientists over at the University of Portsmouth, in the UK, have declared the lowly, little limpet’s teeny, tiny teeth are so strong, that this modest mollusk totes the toughest biological material on Earth.
The teeth, which can only be studied under microscope, are made from a very hard mineral called goethite. They need to be strong, to help limpets cling on to rocks during rough seas. Limpet chompers are said to be even stronger than Kevlar, the stuff bulletproof vests are made of. If one tooth could be stretched out to the size of a strand of spaghetti, the pasta would be able to hold up more than 3,300 pounds. That’s the weight of a hippo!
These teeth are also five times tougher than the previous record holder for the strongest material found in nature; spider webs. Sorry Spidey, but the limpet is stronger. Tough break!
