Zoologger: Judge Dredd worm traps prey with riot foam

[Kowalsky (formerly JudgeGumpty)]

Species: Euperipatoides rowelli

Habitat: New South Wales, Australia, loitering in gangs on rotting logs

Among proponents of non-lethal weapons, one of the most widely discussed technologies is "sticky foam", pioneered by Judge Dredd as "riot foam" in the British comic 2000 AD. Fired from a high-powered gun, it rapidly solidifies on contact, immobilising the victims but – hopefully – not killing them.

As ever, nature got there first. Strange creatures called velvet worms use a similar trick to entrap their prey, and while the immobilisation process might not be fatal, the subsequent process of being eaten most certainly is.

Velvet worms are onychophorans and are truly ancient: they were around in the Cambrian period over 500 million years ago, and were among the first land animals to take up walking. Nowadays there are about 90 species left, and E. rowelli is one of the most remarkable.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18987-zoologger-judge-dredd-worm-traps-prey-with-riot-foam.html

[IAMTHESYSTEM]

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18987-zoologger-judge-dredd-worm-traps-prey-with-riot-foam.html

Riot foam, that citizen stopping, non lethal weapon no good Judge would be seen without has already been invented by uber bitch nature.   

[Kowalsky (formerly JudgeGumpty)]

You have impeccable taste with your links IAMTHESYSTEM

[IAMTHESYSTEM]

Cheers JudgeGumpty!