Strongest biological material

Strongest biological material

Last updated: December 10, 2017 at 5:29 am

Limpet teeth – The radula (tongue) of a limpet is covered in tiny teeth (less than 1 mm) that are made of a mineral-protein composite up to five times stronger than spider silk, and most man-made materials. The teeth actually excavate rock as the limpet feeds.

SOURCE:

Asa H. Barber, Dun Lu, Nicola M. Pugno. Extreme strength observed in limpet teeth. Royal Society journal Interface, 2015 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2014.1326

The limpet's tongue (radula) is covered by teeth that scrape the rock surface. Image © A. BARBER, N. PUGNO | University of Portsmouth

The true limpet species Patella vulgata on a rock surface in Wales. Photo by Tango22 (Creative Commons)

Detailed anatomy of Patella vulgata, a common limpet. Image by KDS4444 (Creative Commons)

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Jeffrey Gallant

Jeffrey Gallant is the Editor-in-Chief and Records Keeper of the Diving Almanac. He is also a contributing editor of DIVER Magazine, and the scientific director of the Greenland Shark and Elasmobranch Education and Research Group (GEERG). Jeffrey started diving in 1982.