These Strange Looking Animals Actually Exist and They Are Fascinating

I've lost count of the number of nature documentaries I've seen in my life, and somehow, they're always amazing. Every time I sit down to learn something new about the animals that inhabit this planet, I'm blown away by the beauty, ingenuity, and pure weirdness of nature. For instance, did you know there are snakes that live underwater and hunt small fish? Or that there's a species of worm covered in golden hair? And I mean proper golden hair—not yellow. Gold.

In this listicle, lovingly curated by Imgur user "Frupus," you'll encounter some of the strangest yet most beautiful creatures you've ever seen. Each one is accompanied by a piece of trivia that's just as jaw-dropping as the creature itself. From deep-sea oddities to strikingly colorful insects, this collection will leave you marveling at the diversity and wonder of the natural world.

01
Automeris larra

This is the caterpillar of Automeris larra, a medium sized moth from South America. It also shows the caterpillar right after a molt, after which colors are often very vivid.

Via Frupus
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02
Imantodes inornatus (Western Blunt Head Tree Snake)

Imantodes is a genus of small arboreal (tree living) snakes from Southern Mexico, Central and northern South America. There are 8 described species and they all look similar to the one pictured here.

Via Frupus
03
Erpeton tentaculatum (tentacled snake)

From Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand this only abut 70cm long aquatic snake has evolved little tentacle-like growths on its snout, which are probably sensory organs to detect water movements, similar to the lateral line organ in fish. Yes that's moss growing on it.

Via Frupus
04
Stenophylla lobivertex (Dragon mantis)

This species of mantis has evolved to resemble dead leaves, using its long, spiny, dragon-like appearance to camouflage perfectly in its environment. It enhances this mimicry by moving slowly with a slight tremor, mimicking the natural swaying of leaves in the wind.

Via Frupus
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05
Calyptocephalella gayi (helmeted water toad)

From Chile where it lives in deep ponds, this is one of the largest and potentially heaviest frogs (up to 3 kg in very large individuals). They are noted to be particularly aggressive.

Via Frupus
06
Typhochlaena seladonia

A tiny colorful tarantula from Brazil. It is arboreal and only gets about 4cm big (with legs). They build small very well hidden tarp like nets over a branch with a little door they sit under and wait for prey to walk past.

Via Frupus
07
Alipes multicostis (Cameroon Flag Tailed Centipede)

These colorful centipedes evolved two feather like, vividly colored back legs. When the centipede is disturbed it raises these legs up and waves them around and produces a chirping sound as a warning of its venom.

Via Frupus
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08
Chrysina (Jewel scarabs/shining leaf chafers)

These shiny silver beetles belong to the family Scarabaeidae, or scarab beetles, and are found from the southern US to Ecuador

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09
Anax tristis (Black Emperor)

This is the largest species of dragonfly in Africa. It reaches a length of up to 120mm (4.7 inches) with an impressive wingspan of up to 135mm (5.3 inches), making it one of the largest dragonflies in the world.

Via Frupus
10
Phalacrognathus muelleri (rainbow stag beetle)

This medium sized stag beetle (up to 7cm for males) from a pretty small area in Queensland, Australia is maybe the most colorful of all stag beetles.

Via Frupus
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11
Xenophoridae (Carrier shells)

The carrier shells or "shell collecting shells" (Xenophoridae) are a family of about 30 species of medium to large sea snails that search and cement the (empty) shells of other sea snails to their own. They aren't picky about what to attach, but they mainly want long and spiky ones. Maybe you see where this is going.

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12
Platymma tweediei (Fire snail)

These snails are endemic to the dense mountain rain forests of the Cameron Highlands of Malaysia. They're sort of a "holy grail" for snail keepers, and it has incorrectly been reported they are threatened by being collected for the pet trade and also impossible to keep as pets. None of that is true.

Via Frupus
13
Xenopeltis (Sunbeam snake)

These little burrowing snakes are from southeast Asia and rarely seen above ground. They spend most of their time burrowed, waiting for small ambhibians to eat.

Via Frupus
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14
Eulagisca gigantea (Antarctic scale worm)

Yes, this thing is real. As a defense, this worm's body is covered almost entirely in relatively loose sitting scales that are easily detached when something grabs them. The golden hairs you see are a common feature of polychaetes, or bristle worms (a subgroup of annelid worms found in the oceans). They are quite stiff and used for both swimming and crawling across the ground and can be moved individually

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15
Chondrocladia lyra (lyre sponge)

These carnivorous sponges catch larger prey by trapping it with Velcro like hooks, then secreting a digestive membrane that surrounds and engulfs the captured prey, breaking it down until it can be absorbed. This species has been found in the northeast Pacific Ocean at depths of around 3300 meters.

Via Frupus