The dragon millipede looks cute, but it packs a dose of cyanide.
Credit: Jamie Schkimie | ©Wikimedia Commons
With so many people in the world and so many news networks sharing stories and pictures 24/7, it sometimes feels like we've seen it all. But nature still has some surprises in store for us. Imagine squids with ears, crabs with silky fur, and toxic millipedes that resemble tiny Oriental dragons. Intrigued? Read on for a closer look at some of the freakiest creatures from the past decade.
The Squid with Ears
Cephalopods have many features that make them look a tad creepy: squirming tentacles, gigantic eyes, and beaks that simply look out of place. But did you know that one type of quid comes complete with 'ears' and elbows? Recently photographed by a Shell Oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, the bizarre Magnapinna squid is common in the dark zone of the ocean (below a depth of 4,000 feet). When biologists first documented the squid in 1998, it was so strange that it earned its own classification category: Magnapinna pacifica. Unlike its smooth-headed cousins, Magnapinna has two fins that flap on the sides of its head like elephant ears. Its tentacles also appear sharply bent, as though elbows were present. The squid is thought to be 5-23 feet in length, but estimates vary; the creature has only been caught on film eight times.
The Dragon Millipede
It's pretty - and poisonous. The most shocking thing about the Desmoxytes purpurosea, or dragon millipede, is its vibrant pink color. It looks like a collection of flower petals on lots of tiny little legs, which helps it blend into its natural habitat of fallen leaves and flora. The next most shocking thing about the dragon millipede is its natural defense system: it shoots toxic cyanide to keep predators away. The World Wildlife Federation (WWF) introduced the dragon millipede to the world on December 15, 2008, as one of over a thousand species of animals discovered in Southeast Asia in the past decade.
The Yeti Crab
The Squid with Ears
Cephalopods have many features that make them look a tad creepy: squirming tentacles, gigantic eyes, and beaks that simply look out of place. But did you know that one type of quid comes complete with 'ears' and elbows? Recently photographed by a Shell Oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, the bizarre Magnapinna squid is common in the dark zone of the ocean (below a depth of 4,000 feet). When biologists first documented the squid in 1998, it was so strange that it earned its own classification category: Magnapinna pacifica. Unlike its smooth-headed cousins, Magnapinna has two fins that flap on the sides of its head like elephant ears. Its tentacles also appear sharply bent, as though elbows were present. The squid is thought to be 5-23 feet in length, but estimates vary; the creature has only been caught on film eight times.
The Dragon Millipede
It's pretty - and poisonous. The most shocking thing about the Desmoxytes purpurosea, or dragon millipede, is its vibrant pink color. It looks like a collection of flower petals on lots of tiny little legs, which helps it blend into its natural habitat of fallen leaves and flora. The next most shocking thing about the dragon millipede is its natural defense system: it shoots toxic cyanide to keep predators away. The World Wildlife Federation (WWF) introduced the dragon millipede to the world on December 15, 2008, as one of over a thousand species of animals discovered in Southeast Asia in the past decade.
The Yeti Crab
Comments
Wow a very interesting read here I enjoyed it. I love all creatures cute and ugly. ;)
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