In the process of existence and development, humans are still constantly making efforts to explore and understand the nature and living environment around us. Although there are still many interesting and mysterious things that we do not know yet, the past year 2013 has witnessed many new discoveries. Including many new species of strange creatures.

Bat fish can walk

Scientists discovered a strange creature with a fish-like body but frog legs on the coast of the city of Santos, Sao Paulo state, Brazil. This creature has two fins that are both frog-like and wing-like growing next to the body. Based on the shape, scientists guess this strange creature is a mutated long-nosed batfish (scientific name Ogcocephalus corniger).

This is a fish known for its ability to walk with its special fins. Therefore, it is also called  “walking bat fish”. The long-nosed bat fish has a very poor swimming ability, but it has well-developed pectoral and pelvic muscles, which is the advantage that makes this fish able to walk. In addition, they are also capable of jumping and dragging people on land.

Giant sea worm

In August, divers captured an image of a giant and strange sea creature off the coast of Tasmania, Australia. This creature has a transparent, cylindrical body, their body length can be up to 30m and can glow, made up of thousands of tiny zooids. They draw water into the body through the proboscis on the body, trap the plankton and then excrete the water behind.

This marine worm usually lives in the upper layers of warm sea areas. They are also classified as plankton, meaning that their movement depends on currents, waves, tides, etc.

Insects with ‘electric shock’ hair

This strange creature with a yellow-orange body is only 7mm long. At the end of it has a silver beard, growing up like the “electric shock” hair of the world famous Troll doll in the 1990s. This beard is made up of wax secreted from the solid thyroid gland. in the abdomen of the insect.

It is known that this strange creature was discovered by an American research team in a tropical forest in South America. Based on the shape and living characteristics, scientists say that this creature is closely related to the pupae.

Sponge Chondrocladia lyra

Chondrocladia lyra sponge, also known as harp sponge because of its shape like a harp, was discovered in the waters off the state of California, USA, by self-propelled probe. This creature has the appearance of a candle or a harp (harp). It has a monstrous appearance with spines covering its body that help sponges hold crustaceans drifted by the influence of deep sea currents, and then it envelops its prey before absorbing it. they.

Unlike other sponges that feed on bacteria or organic matter, Chondrocladia lyra is a carnivorous sponge. This sponge species has long tendrils protruding from veins, small spines on the tendrils used to trap passing fish, then wrap the prey in a thin film and gradually digest it. The harp sponge has developed its multi-branched structure to increase the casting area and catch prey more efficiently.

Leaf-tailed gecko

Leaf-tailed geckos, scientifically known as Saltuarius eximius, have a fairly primitive shape with a length of 20cm and a flattened leaf-shaped tail. It has no eyelids at all, forcing them to use their tongue to clean their eyeballs. This reptile lives in northern Australia, according to scientists, they appeared on Earth about 150 million years ago.

The luminous cockroach Luchihormetica luckae is the scientific name of a cockroach that lives in the forests around an active volcano in Ecuador. The body length of adult cockroaches is 2.5 cm. American scientists first discovered them in 1939. Then they collected some and brought them back to the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., USA. They have many strange characteristics, but the most outstanding one is the ability to emit green light.

Many animals in the deep sea have the ability to glow, but very few terrestrial animals have the same ability. L. luckae is one of the very few animals that has the ability to glow and the special thing is that they imitate the luminous mechanism of other insects. They found that their luminescence mechanism is similar to that of the Elateridae, the insects that glow to warn predators that they have poison in their bodies. Thus, when predators see the cockroach’s light, they will think the cockroach has poison and give up the intention to attack.

Epaulette shark

The Epaulette shark is a species of jaw shark. This shark lives in shallow waters on the ocean floor in tropical Australia and New Guinea and possibly other areas. The Epaulette shark is quite small, the largest being only 121 cm long. Instead of swimming, this fish “walks” on the ocean floor by wriggling and using fins shaped like oars to move forward. This fish only swims a short distance when they are hunted.

This species is a nocturnal animal. They usually live in shallow water, near reefs. The Epaulette shark has the ability to increase blood flow to the brain and can shut down unnecessary nerve functions. This means it can survive in the absence of oxygen for up to 1 hour without no matter what.

Giant arowana

In an article in the journal Copeia, scientist Donald Stewart officially confirmed, Arapaima leptosoma is a completely new species of arowana fish living in the Amazon River. According to Stewart, Arapaima leptosoma is often confused with other giant arowanas. However, if you look closely, it is easier to detect that it is more slender.

One of the largest freshwater species in the world, arowanas can grow to over 3 meters long and weigh 200 kilograms. This species breathes through its lungs, often living in oxygen-poor waters. Two large air bubbles on both sides of the gills help the arowana to store a large amount of air, enough for it to hold its breath for up to 15 minutes after each breath.

Giant tiger spider

Scientists have announced the discovery of a new giant webless spider the size of a human face in the forests of the village of Mankulam in northern Sri Lanka. This spider has the scientific name Poecilotheria rajaei, also known as tiger spider. This giant spider can reach a body length of 20.32 cm, along the legs and body with gray and yellow stripes. Although venomous, it is not lethal.

In the past, spiders used to live on trees, but since deforestation has increased and destroyed the natural environment, they have begun to move into old abandoned buildings. Biologist Ranil Nanayakkara said: ‘This spider is extremely rare. They prefer to live in old trees, but the suitable habitat for them is drastically reduced because of deforestation.”

Legless Lizard

California biologists have discovered a new species of lizard, which has lost both arms and legs at the end of the runway at Los Angeles International Airport (USA). Through the description, this legless lizard is very snake-like, they are 8cm long, have eyelids, outer ears, a rather wide abdomen and a long tail while snakes, on the contrary – have a long body and short tail. They live mainly in moist underground, eating insects, larvae.

These lizards live mainly underground or near the ground and usually do not leave their areas. If they come to the surface, it must be in wet places, under dead trees. Currently, amputated lizards are often listed on the list of animals of most interest.