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The forces of adaptation and natural selection have resulted in some breathtakingly graceful creatures. However, they’ve also brought forth animals with truly outlandish and strange body features. Have sponges really lost their brains? What’s so extraordinary about the seemingly telescopic eyes of the mantis shrimp? Why do the teeth of the sheepshead fish look so unsettling? What made researchers think of origami when faced with the mystery of the earwig’s wings?
It’s a bit unnerving that the legs of certain arachnids serve purposes similar to tongues, noses, and fingertips. Why would tentacles sprout from a snake’s head of all places? Combat experts claim anything can be a weapon, but even they might hesitate to use ribs as one—unlike an aquatic salamander. The shoebill stork demonstrates unmatched ingenuity in hunting.
There’s a solid reason why male venomous platypuses don’t have to worry about infidelity during mating season. While the proboscis monkey’s nose may not be the most attractive, females of the species seem quite fond of it, and there’s another part of his anatomy that... well, let’s just say, you’ve been warned.
10. Sponge’s ‘Brain’
While modern sponges lack brains, some researchers speculate that they may have once had a structure similar to a brain, even if not a true one.
If sponges did have neurons in the past, why did they lose them? The answer, according to evolution, is simple: they no longer needed them, and the loss ultimately benefited the species, as BBC journalist Melissa Hogenboom explains.
Frank Hirth, a scientist from Kings College London, suggests that sponges experienced an 'evolved loss' of neural structures. Hogenboom compares this to the loss of organs in other animals, such as crustaceans, which lose their eyes in dark caves because they no longer serve a purpose.
If this loss of neural structures did happen, it brought certain advantages. Without a brain, sponges require far less energy, and as filter feeders, they passively gather nutrients, making a nervous system unnecessary for survival. In fact, feeding a brain would be an 'energy waste,' according to Hirth, and such a high 'energy demand' would be unsustainable for creatures that simply filter food from the surrounding water.
The hypothesis that sponges once had brain-like structures but lost them remains a subject of debate. Neuroscientist Leonid Moroz, from the University of Florida in St. Augustine, is among those who argue that sponges never developed neurons, as these cells are not essential for their survival.
During a March 2015 Royal Society meeting in London, Hirth and Moroz shared their differing opinions on the matter. However, the issue remains unresolved. Angelika Stollewerk from Queen Mary University of London points out that either Hirth or Moroz could be correct at this stage. Only time and further evidence will provide clarity, so both of their views remain plausible for now.
If Hirth’s hypothesis proves accurate, one of the strangest animal body parts in history would be the redundant sponge brain that vanished when the animal’s survival became better suited to simplification.
9. Mantis Shrimp’s Eyes
The mantis shrimp’s large compound eyes, perched on stalks, are so extraordinary they seem almost fictional. Unlike the eyes of humans or most other animals, including other arthropods, the mantis shrimp’s eyes lack single lenses directing light onto a retina. Instead, light-sensitive receptor cells on the surface of the eyes allow them to detect light across the visible, infrared, and ultraviolet wavelengths.
This remarkable vision capability enables mantis shrimp to communicate using their brightly colored body parts. Their vibrant colors also serve as a warning about their lightning-fast punch, which delivers an incredibly powerful blow. Some species even have bioluminescence, which they use to signal intruding shrimp to leave their territory.
Colorful displays in mantis shrimp also serve as mating signals. Females are drawn to males with brighter colors, so through natural selection, both sexes of mantis shrimp become increasingly vibrant with each generation. In summary, mantis shrimp thrive because their evolved eyes are perfectly suited to their environment— the colorful coral reefs of the deep ocean.
8. Sheepshead Fish’s Teeth
The sheepshead fish possesses teeth so strange they are almost unsettling. Instead of the typical sharp, jagged teeth seen in many fish, its teeth are uniform in size and resemble human incisors, canine teeth, premolars, and molars.
It’s not hard to imagine the sheepshead fish offering a fisherman a smile. In fact, in photographs taken by Nathan Martin of a specimen he caught near Nags Head, North Carolina, the fish looks almost as if it’s been asked to say “cheese.”
Experts suggest that the fish uses its unique set of teeth to crack open barnacles and other hard-shelled creatures. Martin, eager to show off his catch, plans to hang the fish’s toothy grin on his wall, letting visitors marvel at its unusual smile.
7. Earwig’s Wings
The wings of the earwig are a testament to nature’s ingenious design. Despite being ground-dwelling insects, earwigs—of which there are over 2,000 species—possess wings that are twice the length of their bodies.
Hidden under the smaller, leathery forewings, the rear wings are intricately folded. As a National Geographic video explains, they are “remarkably compact” and invisible until the earwig lifts its body. Once it raises the rear, the insect flaps the exposed wings, causing them to unfold. This process takes considerable effort, requiring the earwig to anchor itself to a leaf or twig until the wings fully open.
Remarkably, “the open wings lock into place and stay stable,” without any muscular effort, as noted in the video. Instead, the earwig relies on an elastic, spring-like joint in its wings for stability. Researchers are eager to unlock the secret behind this mechanism, believing that it could have a broad range of technological uses, such as in foldable tents, maps, and electronics. Unfortunately, an attempt to mimic this unfolding process through origami-like folding failed, as the earwig’s wings do not fold at a single crease like paper does.
The earwig has another quirky trait. As the Oxford English Dictionary explains, its name comes from the old belief that earwigs crawl into human ears. Its scientific order, Dermaptera, meaning “skin wing,” is just as imaginative.
6. Harvestman’s Legs
The harvestman, often recognized by its species the daddy longlegs, is an arachnid with eight legs. Despite its appearance, it is neither an insect nor a spider, and contrary to common belief, it is not venomous. The most extraordinary feature of the harvestman is undoubtedly its legs, not just for their length but for their astonishing functionality.
As noted in an article from The Atlantic, the harvestman’s legs perform the duties of several organs simultaneously. They are capable of detecting heat, moisture, pressure, and a vast array of chemicals. Prashant Sharma, a biologist at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, likens their sensory abilities to having ‘tongues, noses, and fingertips all over your knuckles.’
These many-jointed legs also allow the harvestman to wrap them multiple times around tree branches. Their lower legs are so far from their bodies that they have specialized holes to keep them oxygenated.
The harvestman’s legs are also remarkable for other reasons. Rodrigo Willemart, a sensory ecologist at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, explains that the fourth pair of legs possess sharp spines, which some harvestmen use to pierce predatory flatworms in half or to engage in competitive jousting for mates.
Additionally, male harvestmen use their legs to compete for mates. For female harvestmen, size matters, and in this case, the size of the male's legs is key. According to Guilherme Gainett, a developmental biologist at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, “The male with the longest leg wins, and it’s the one that is going to mate.”
5. Tentacled Snake’s Tentacles
The tentacles growing from the tentacled snake's face are extraordinary. This feature is unique to this species, with no other snake on Earth possessing such appendages. While these tentacles give the snake a somewhat menacing appearance, its hunting style, described by author Bec Crew as “diabolical,” is equally intriguing.
Despite its need for air, the tentacled snake can remain submerged for up to 30 minutes before surfacing for a breath. This makes it perfectly suited to its native environments in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, where it thrives in lakes, streams, and rice paddies.
While hunting, the snake’s tentacles sway, with nerve cells in them detecting prey hidden within the “muddy water” of its habitat. As Crew explains, the water is so “murky” that without the help of its tentacles, the snake would struggle to find its next meal.
Once the snake locates its prey, it patiently waits in ambush. The snake takes advantage of the fish's defensive behavior by provoking it with a tail flick, causing the fish to assume a 'C' shape. This defensive maneuver is usually the fish's method of escaping threats. However, by reacting to the snake's provocation, the fish inadvertently places itself directly into the predator's mouth. The entire hunt concludes in just 15-20 milliseconds, leaving the fish with no chance of escape.
4. Spanish Ribbed Newt’s Ribs
The Spanish ribbed newt doesn’t just use its ribs for structural support; they play a key role in its defense. As noted by Matt Walker, an editor at Earth News, when the newt is threatened, it pushes its ribs outward, causing them to puncture through its skin. These exposed bones serve as sharp, poisonous barbs, making the newt even more formidable. Remarkably, the newt is unharmed by this unusual defense mechanism.
Thanks to the advanced techniques of photography and X-ray imaging, scientists have figured out how the aquatic salamander manages such an extraordinary defense. The newt 'swings its ribs forward,' positioning them at a 50-degree angle relative to its spine. While remaining still otherwise, it stretches its skin until the ribs break through. This astonishing process was explained by Egon Heiss of the University of Vienna in Austria.
At the same time, the newt secretes a toxic, milky substance, adding to the defensive power of the exposed ribs. This combination of poison and bone spikes proves to be highly effective in deterring attackers, either by causing severe pain or even killing the predator. The newt is fortunate enough to be immune to the venom it produces, ensuring it remains unharmed.
3. Proboscis Monkey’s Proboscis (and Penis)
As its name suggests, the proboscis monkey is notable for its oddly shaped nose. While the name might not hint at any other strange aspects, the male of the species also has a penis that can only be described as utterly bizarre.
Often called the 'Jimmy Durante' of the animal kingdom due to its somewhat mournful expression, the proboscis monkey sports a banana-like nose, but in an orange hue instead of yellow. Besides its 'big nose,' writer Brad Joseph notes that the monkey is also burdened with a 'pot belly, crazy voice box, and several other bizarre features, [which] once discovered… are never forgotten.'
The size of the proboscis monkey’s belly serves a specific purpose: it functions as a 'fermentation vat,' where 'gut flora' help break down the leaves the monkey eats, turning their 'structural cellulose... into usable sugar,' while also detoxifying any poisonous alkaloids present.
The purpose of the monkey's nose is open to interpretation. If scientists are right, the proboscis might serve an attractive role for females. If their theory is incorrect, the true reason remains a mystery. However, one thing is clear: the nose is undeniable and impossible to overlook.
Another 'unique and attention-grabbing characteristic of the monkey,' as Joseph describes it, is the proboscis monkey's penis. This cone-shaped, scarlet organ is 'always erect,' protruding from a black scrotum. To maintain its health, it persistently sweats, releasing 'excess sodium.' This action is essential for survival in the 'salty, mangrove forests' that the proboscis monkey calls home, Joseph explains.
2. Venomous Platypus’s Feet
Many animals possess feet that are far stranger than we might imagine, and one of the most bizarre examples can be found on the venomous platypus. Mindy Weisberger's description of the platypus as a whole also perfectly captures the oddity of its feet: they indeed 'look like they were stitched together by a rogue taxidermist from the [feet] of unrelated animals, as a prank.'
The platypus’s feet are further strange with wrinkled, leathery webs that spread out from the five claws at the end of each leg. These claws emerge seemingly out of nowhere, and each claw is nestled within bifurcated folds, each pair connecting a section of web, creating an even more intricate and puzzling appearance.
In males, the claws of the platypus are 'loaded with venom,' says Weisberger. This venom is believed to serve a specific function: it may be used to ward off rival suitors during mating season, preventing other males from vying for the attention of the females.
1. Shoebill Stork’s Bill
While humans aren't on the shoebill stork's menu, baby alligators are a regular part of its diet, alongside other creatures like lungfish, eels, catfish, and even 'crazy stuff' like Nile monitor lizards and snakes, notes writer Nicholas Lund.
The shoebill stork's hunting technique is straightforward yet highly effective. It simply stands and waits. When its prey comes near, it launches itself forward, grabbing its meal with its enormous bill, along with anything else nearby, be it 'water, mud, vegetation, or other hapless fish.' Afterward, the stork shakes its head to dislodge any unwanted debris before using its powerful bill to decapitate the wriggling prey. At that point, the meal is as good as consumed.
