Nature is full of surprises.
Life on Earth has adapted to diverse environments in all sorts of bizarre and sometimes mind-boggling ways.
In today’s post, we will delve into 5 animals with "superpowers" & abilities that we are sure will amaze you.
Watch the fascinating video version of this post by clicking HERE!
You can also download the audio-only podcast by clicking the download button above.
#1 - Pistol Shrimp Can Shoot Superheated Water at Their Prey
Pistol shrimp, also known as “snapping shrimp,” are a type of shrimp whose claws have a built-in trigger.
Rather than using their claws as pincers, pistol shrimp actually snap them into place to release a blast of energy toward their prey, as loud as 210 decibels! That’s louder than an actual pistol!
This blast fires water toward their prey at a speed of 62 mph (100 km/h), which can kill small fish, and can even break glass!
The temperature of this blast can reach up to 7700°C, which is actually higher than the temperature of the Sun! (5500°C).
#2 - Sea Cucumbers Can Self-Destruct and Regenerate
Sea cucumbers are a species of slug-like marine animals that mainly live in the Pacific Ocean. But they have a superpower that makes them incredibly difficult to keep track of.
Sea cucumbers can drastically alter the texture of their skin. Because of the collagen in their skin, they can literally melt, slink into cracks, and re-solidify.
Not only can sea cucumbers melt their skin, but they can also expel their internal organs as a defense mechanism. But don’t worry -- they can regenerate their organs too!
#3 - Wood Frogs Can Freeze Themselves
Wood frogs are a species of frog native to North America, mainly in areas with winter temperatures below 32°F (0°C).
Wood frogs gather glucose during autumn to develop a sort of “antifreeze” that keeps their cells alive while their bodies completely freeze.
For any other animal (including humans), subzero temperatures cause ice crystals to form, causing living cells to shrivel and die!
Their hearts stop, they stop breathing, and they stop moving. You could easily mistake them for being dead! But each spring, they spring to life again!
#4 - Tardigrades Can Survive in Almost Any Environment
Tardigrades, or “water bears,” are microscopic animals that have been known to survive in extremely harsh environments that are deadly to every other creature that enters.
Although they live mainly in water, tardigrades are able to withstand extreme temperatures all across Earth, from as cold as -328°F (-200°C) to as hot as 300°F (149°C)!
Surprisingly, they actually accomplish this feat in a similar way as wood frogs.
Tardigrades can roll into dehydrated balls called “tuns,” freezing themselves until they are reintroduced to water. Some tardigrades have even been recovered after over 100 years!
#5 - Turritopsis Jellyfish Are Immortal
All jellyfish species are born as larvae, and attach themselves to the seafloor to grow polyps, which sprout into their own genetically-identical jellyfish and swim away.
What makes the turritopsis jellyfish unique is that it can physically revert to its younger polyp state at will. If one doesn’t get killed by predators, it can potentially live forever!
We may never know the natural lifespan of turritopsis. But they have been an important part of pharmaceutical, anti-aging, and regenerative tissue research in humans.
Are You Protected?
As humans, we don’t have anything close to these animals’ survival adaptations, so we’re much more vulnerable to animal attacks and the harmful diseases they can spread.
If you are concerned about an infestation that could put you in danger or at risk of disease, please contact us at 855-WILDLIFE or visit www.wildlifexteam.com for helpful information.
Thanks for reading!
- Wildlife x Team International