Can A Fly Evade A Speeding Bullet? Exploring Natures Aerial Feats

Is it possible for a person to dodge a bullet? This question often arises in popular culture, thanks to Hollywood’s portrayal of seemingly superhuman abilities. However, according to a Scientific American report from November 21, 2013, the idea of dodging bullets is purely fictional. Regardless of your speed and agility, it is virtually impossible for a human to dodge a bullet when it’s fired at close range. The fundamental reason lies in the incredible speed at which bullets travel, even from the slowest handguns, reaching speeds of up to 760 miles per hour, as explained by SciAm.

Have you ever wondered which animal possesses natural protection strong enough to deflect bullets? The armadillo, with its unique ‘armor’ made up of bony plates called osteoderms, is known to exhibit this remarkable ability. In a peculiar incident, a Texan man unintentionally shot himself in the face when the bullet he fired at an armadillo rebounded off its armored shell. In a separate incident, a bullet ricocheting off an armadillo’s protective armor penetrated a nearby house, resulting in an injury to an elderly lady. This intriguing phenomenon highlights the exceptional defense mechanisms of armadillos, whose osteoderm-embedded armor provides an unexpected level of protection even against firearms. [Published on October 11, 2022]