Buzz
The world of nature, or as I prefer to call it, the real world, is a constant source of wonder. It provides endless surprises, both beautiful and unsettling. Sometimes, it overwhelms us with stunning beauty that takes our breath away or moves us to tears. At other times, it reveals its darker, more sinister side. This list pays tribute to nature’s shadowy aspects. Here are 10 recently discovered creatures that are as fascinating as they are chilling. Sweet dreams.
10. The Vivid Orange Bat (Myotis nimbaensis)
Found in 2018 in the Nimba Mountains of New Guinea, West Africa. This bat is more adorable than alarming! Sporting vibrant orange fur, it is believed to already be critically endangered due to human impact. Its diet, behavior, and habits remain largely unknown, requiring further study to learn about this new potential Halloween icon. Can you imagine a more fitting creature for the season?
The bats were discovered living in old mining tunnels, known as adits. Many of these tunnels are at risk of collapsing, prompting Bat Conservation International and SMFG (a local mining organization) to join forces in reinforcing these tunnels to safeguard the 'sky island' for the orange bat and other species at risk from human encroachment.
9. Pine Rockland Trapdoor Spider (Ummidia richmond)
Unearthed in 2012 just outside the Miami Zoo in Florida, USA. This spine-chilling spider is a relative of the tarantula, which means it carries venom. It creates a burrow and constructs a trapdoor, using it as an ambush site for its prey. Are there any spiders that aren't unsettling? Thankfully, its diet mainly consists of insects and small invertebrates. While it can liquefy its victims' insides, it poses little threat to humans.
Fortunately, it's smaller than its tarantula relatives. Males are about the size of a quarter, with females believed to be 2 to 3 times larger. It’s also thought that females can live for up to two decades, while males only last about 7 years. In a fascinating twist, females kill the males after mating, much like the notorious Black Widow. Males are thought to burrow for about 7 years before emerging for their first mating. Who can blame them? They're just trying to make the most of their brief lives!
8. Giant Centipede (Scolopendra alcyona)
Discovered in 2021 on the Ruyku Islands, an archipelago between Japan and Taiwan. This is another massive, venomous centipede, but what sets it apart is its amphibious abilities; it's equally at home on land and in water. Let's hope it sticks to its shrimp diet and keeps to its local waters.
It is only the 3rd amphibious species discovered so far. One of the largest species in its region, it measures about 20 cm in length and 2 cm in thickness. It's been 143 years since the last centipede was found in this area. This particular centipede even dove into the water to escape researchers. So, it’s a venomous arthropod that thrives equally well on land and in water. Nope! The Ruyku Archipelago is off the list for this lifetime.
7. King of the Cave (Cryptops spelorex)
Uncovered in 2020 in Movile Cave, Romania, the King is another centipede and a true nightmare, given the toxic environment it inhabits. The cave, pitch black and with minimal air or oxygen, has a high concentration of sulfur, carbon dioxide, methane, and ammonia, creating a hellish atmosphere. Though only about 2 inches long, this many-legged creature is as toxic as its surroundings. It thrives among chemosynthetic bacteria, spiders, arthropods, earthworms, leeches, and snails. Perhaps sealing off that cave is the best idea and letting them live in peace.
It’s as if these creatures are mutants from another planet with an entirely different atmosphere, maybe even Venus. The thought of their bites melting flesh and their victims suffering from radiation poisoning comes to mind. Any life surviving and evolving in such an unforgiving environment is surely born with one purpose: to kill.
6. Ringed Caecilian (Siphonops annulatas)
Though this creature was first discovered nearly 200 years ago, the recent revelation in 2020 that it possesses venomous oral glands has only amplified its terrifying nature. It’s an amphibian that resembles the love child of a Black Mamba and an Earthworm, with no visible face. It has now become the perfect image for any future sci-fi monster.
What makes them even more unsettling is the way they begin life. All the babies simultaneously devour the mother’s outer layer of skin, each using 44 spoon-shaped teeth. They then rest for a few days while Mom grows another layer for them to feast upon, like little vampiric cannibals. Yep, just about the creepiest creatures we’ve encountered so far.
5. Pig-Snouted Brittle Sea Star (Ophiojura exbodi)
First discovered in 2015, though collected in 2011 from Banc Durand near New Caledonia in the South Pacific, this creature’s name may sound humorous, but its appearance is anything but. It has 8 long, thin arms resembling countless pig snouts fused together. Its underside is covered in long jaws lined with thorny, bristly teeth. It's the stuff of pure nightmares – a nest of teeth with unsettling limbs.
It has also been lurking deep beneath the ocean at nearly 200 feet, surviving as a living fossil from the Jurassic period. Another reminder that creatures from the age of dinosaurs are still around. Maybe Chupacabras are just a type of velociraptor…
4. Suzhen’s Krait (Bangarus suzhenae)
This snake was discovered in 2001, but only recently named. Found in the regions of Southwestern China and Northern Myanmar, it was initially mistaken for other Kraits due to its similar color pattern. However, it is longer and possesses a distinct arrangement of black and white bands. Its true identity remained hidden for some time, but now it's known to be highly venomous and lethal. It is nocturnal and has been known to enter homes in search of food, sometimes even crawling into beds and biting when startled—just like a scene from a horror movie...
The snake's name originates from Bai Su Zhen, a goddess in Chinese folklore, particularly the Legend of the White Snake. Ironically, she was the goddess of healing. Could this be a hint of scientific irony?
3. Mountain Fer-de-lance (Bothrops Monsignifier)
This new species of Fer-de-lance was discovered in 2020 in the Zongo Valley, Bolivia, deep in the jungle-covered mountains. As if the already dangerous Fer-de-lances weren't enough, this species is just as deadly. Like others of its kind, it excels in camouflage and tends to stay hidden on the forest floor. To track its prey, it uses heat-sensing pits on its head. With its potent venom, it’s vital to be cautious—especially when walking through piles of leaves. Watch your step or risk encountering this lethal predator.
It’s quite uncommon to stumble upon new viper species. In the Americas, the typical rate of viper discoveries is about 1 to 2 per decade. So, as frightening as this one may be, let’s hope it remains the last for a while.
So, here are 10 recently discovered creatures, or discoveries related to creatures, that were unknown to us until now. As we dig deeper, dive further, and explore the wilderness more, we continue to uncover the unknown. And while it seems like we’ll only keep finding scarier and more dangerous creatures, we are still the true threat—rampant expansion and relentless consumption mark our path. A common thread in these new creatures is that they are likely already on the decline due to our encroachment, often without us even realizing they were there. Perhaps the most frightening creature of all walks on two legs, consumes without regard, fears the unknown while being drawn to it, and prefers to conquer rather than understand or peacefully coexist.
2. Salazar’s Pit Viper (Timeresus salazar)
This species was discovered in 2019 in the Western lowlands of Arunachal Pradesh, India. Yes, its name is inspired by Salazar Slytherin from the Harry Potter series. As a pit viper, it is venomous, but fortunately, it feeds on small mammals, lizards, amphibians, rodents, and birds. Perhaps if we learn Parseltongue, we could befriend all snakes.
These snakes display sexual dichromatism, meaning that the males and females exhibit different colors. Although both sexes are green, only the males sport a reddish-orange stripe on their head and a yellow-orange stripe along their body, which is brighter and more pronounced when they are juveniles.
1. Achlinus Zugorum
This snake was discovered in 2020 in Ha Giang Province, Vietnam, and still lacks a fun nickname. It prefers to live underground and has poor vision. Its scales shimmer between shades of blue and green, giving it a gem-like appearance, reminiscent of the sparkling, jewel-encrusted scales of Chinese dragons. These snakes are often referred to as odd-scaled due to their unique scale shape and the small gaps of exposed skin between them.
Due to their subterranean lifestyle, these snakes have proven difficult to study. But they certainly stir the imagination, making one wonder what other mysterious creatures are lurking beneath the earth's surface. Perhaps ignorance truly is bliss.
