Narrow Snapping Shrimp - Small Platter
This small platter depicts a the Narrow Snapping Shrimp (Alpheus astrinx), a type of Pistol Shrimp found in Australia’s Great Southern Reef.
Pistol shrimp are found all over the world, primarily in tropical and temperate waters and are known for their asymmetrical claws. The large one can sometimes be as big as half of the body size! They don’t have pincers at the end of their claws but a special snapping mechanism. When the claw closes, it can be at a speed of up to 115km hour and the movement tears the water around the claw apart. The claw will open wide before closing quickly, allowing air to enter a hidden cavity.
As the claw closes with its super sonic speed, the air in the hidden cavity comes out as bubbles and in the area around the claw, where the pressure has changed due to the snapping speed, the bubbles reach temperatures of over 4,000 C as they pop. Whilst the bubbles are tiny and the time they pop is not very long, it’s enough to dismember and kill their prey. The “pistol” part of their name references the popping sound of these lethal bubbles!
The platter is handmade with Australian porcelain and hand painted with watercolour-like underglazes. As with all handmade objects, it may have some irregularities which contribute to its unique nature. It is fully functional and can we washed in the dishwasher, though I would recommend not putting in the microwave or oven as the abrupt changes in temperature might crack the clay.
The platter measures 22cm long, 11cm wide and about 2cm high and comes in its own recycled cardboard gift box. You will be sent a platter depicting a Snapping Shrimp chosen at random from the three available.
By purchasing this item, we will contribute to Carbon Positive Australia’s carbon sequestration projects by planting one native tree or shrub in Australia.
If you are local to Sydney, you can come and collect from our studio. Just use the code INNERWEST at checkout and we can natter the details over email.
This small platter depicts a the Narrow Snapping Shrimp (Alpheus astrinx), a type of Pistol Shrimp found in Australia’s Great Southern Reef.
Pistol shrimp are found all over the world, primarily in tropical and temperate waters and are known for their asymmetrical claws. The large one can sometimes be as big as half of the body size! They don’t have pincers at the end of their claws but a special snapping mechanism. When the claw closes, it can be at a speed of up to 115km hour and the movement tears the water around the claw apart. The claw will open wide before closing quickly, allowing air to enter a hidden cavity.
As the claw closes with its super sonic speed, the air in the hidden cavity comes out as bubbles and in the area around the claw, where the pressure has changed due to the snapping speed, the bubbles reach temperatures of over 4,000 C as they pop. Whilst the bubbles are tiny and the time they pop is not very long, it’s enough to dismember and kill their prey. The “pistol” part of their name references the popping sound of these lethal bubbles!
The platter is handmade with Australian porcelain and hand painted with watercolour-like underglazes. As with all handmade objects, it may have some irregularities which contribute to its unique nature. It is fully functional and can we washed in the dishwasher, though I would recommend not putting in the microwave or oven as the abrupt changes in temperature might crack the clay.
The platter measures 22cm long, 11cm wide and about 2cm high and comes in its own recycled cardboard gift box. You will be sent a platter depicting a Snapping Shrimp chosen at random from the three available.
By purchasing this item, we will contribute to Carbon Positive Australia’s carbon sequestration projects by planting one native tree or shrub in Australia.
If you are local to Sydney, you can come and collect from our studio. Just use the code INNERWEST at checkout and we can natter the details over email.
This small platter depicts a the Narrow Snapping Shrimp (Alpheus astrinx), a type of Pistol Shrimp found in Australia’s Great Southern Reef.
Pistol shrimp are found all over the world, primarily in tropical and temperate waters and are known for their asymmetrical claws. The large one can sometimes be as big as half of the body size! They don’t have pincers at the end of their claws but a special snapping mechanism. When the claw closes, it can be at a speed of up to 115km hour and the movement tears the water around the claw apart. The claw will open wide before closing quickly, allowing air to enter a hidden cavity.
As the claw closes with its super sonic speed, the air in the hidden cavity comes out as bubbles and in the area around the claw, where the pressure has changed due to the snapping speed, the bubbles reach temperatures of over 4,000 C as they pop. Whilst the bubbles are tiny and the time they pop is not very long, it’s enough to dismember and kill their prey. The “pistol” part of their name references the popping sound of these lethal bubbles!
The platter is handmade with Australian porcelain and hand painted with watercolour-like underglazes. As with all handmade objects, it may have some irregularities which contribute to its unique nature. It is fully functional and can we washed in the dishwasher, though I would recommend not putting in the microwave or oven as the abrupt changes in temperature might crack the clay.
The platter measures 22cm long, 11cm wide and about 2cm high and comes in its own recycled cardboard gift box. You will be sent a platter depicting a Snapping Shrimp chosen at random from the three available.
By purchasing this item, we will contribute to Carbon Positive Australia’s carbon sequestration projects by planting one native tree or shrub in Australia.
If you are local to Sydney, you can come and collect from our studio. Just use the code INNERWEST at checkout and we can natter the details over email.