In some , commonly known as bombardier beetles , these secretions are mixed with volatile compounds and ejected by a small combustion , producing a loud popping sound and a cloud of hot and acrid gas which can injure small mammals , such as shrews , and is liable to kill invertebrate predators outright .
In bombardier beetles these secretions are mixed with volatile compounds and ejected by a small combustion with a loud popping sound and a cloud of hot and acrid gas . This can injure small mammals , such as shrews , and may kill invertebrate predators outright .