10 amazingly strange creatures with special abilities (11 photos)

It's hard to find a special effects artist who is more creative than nature.





The animal kingdom is full of amazing creatures. Here are the most unusual and rare inhabitants of the Earth, as if they came from the pages of a science fiction novel. From a lizard that looks like a dragon to a mollusk that takes poison from others and uses its reserves against enemies, these strange and beautiful children of evolution look like they were born in a parallel reality.

1. Flying dragon



The flying dragon (Draco volans) is a lizard that can glide between trees using its leathery "wings". A real species from Southeast Asia. The "wings" are elongated ribs with a membrane.

2. Giant Desert Hairy Scorpion





Hadrurus arizonensis is one of the largest species in North America. Almost all 2,500+ species of scorpions fluoresce under UV light due to a special substance in their cuticle called the exocuticle.

3. Unusual goby



This is not an alien, but a real sea goby from the Cottoidea family. With its spines and bumps, it is perfectly camouflaged among underwater rocks. And some of the 700 species of these fish can change color.

4. Dragon-headed caterpillar



The common nawab (Polyura athamas) is a species of fast-flying butterfly found in tropical Asia. Their caterpillars use the "dragon head" as a defense mechanism to scare off predators.

5. Two-tailed lizard



This lizard has acquired an unusual ability. When her mates shed their tails, she grew a second one. This regeneration bug occurs in 1 in 20 individuals. It is the result of a broken autotomy, but both tails continue to function.

6. Moon Hornet



Sesia bembeciformis (moon hornet) is a genius of mimicry. Its transparent wings and coloring make the insect indistinguishable from a real hornet. Predators fly around this creature, and it can't even sting.

7. Orchid Mantis



The Orchid Mantis (Hymenopus coronatus) is a master of disguise. Its "petal" legs are so perfect that insects fly into its embrace. This is the only mantis whose mimicry is more accurate than the original (flowers actually look artificial next to it).

8. Mediterranean longfin



Dactylopterus volitans is a species of marine ray-finned fish - a true masterpiece of underwater mimicry. Its huge "wings" and bright coloring make it unlike any other fish. The giant "wings" are actually modified pectoral fins with a bright pattern. Flying over the water, it can make strange sounds reminiscent of grunting.

9. Blue Dragon



Glaucus atlanticus - a real underwater ninja. Glaucus atlanticus (blue angel, blue sea slug or dragon slug) is a mollusk that steals poison from jellyfish and uses it against enemies. The stinging cell of the eaten jellyfish is digested, and only the stinging capsule remains. Such borrowed capsules - kleptocnids - remain active for a long time and can act as a defense mechanism.

10. Southern Cassowary Paw



Casuarius casuarius (Southern Cassowary) is the third largest bird in the world (after the ostrich and emu). Each claw reaches 12 centimeters in length and is sharp as a dagger. The bird can rip the abdomen with one blow.