4 Freaky Creatures Newly Discovered by Science

With so many people in the world and so many news networks sharing stories and pictures 24/7, it sometimes feels like we've seen it all. But nature still has some surprises in store for us. Imagine squids with ears, crabs with silky fur, and toxic millipedes that resemble tiny Oriental dragons. Intrigued? Read on for a closer look at some of the freakiest creatures from the past decade.

The Squid with Ears

Cephalopods have many features that make them look a tad creepy: squirming tentacles, gigantic eyes, and beaks that simply look out of place. But did you know that one type of quid comes complete with 'ears' and elbows? Recently photographed by a Shell Oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, the bizarre Magnapinna squid is common in the dark zone of the ocean (below a depth of 4,000 feet). When biologists first documented the squid in 1998, it was so strange that it earned its own classification category: Magnapinna pacifica. Unlike its smooth-headed cousins, Magnapinna has two fins that flap on the sides of its head like elephant ears. Its tentacles also appear sharply bent, as though elbows were present. The squid is thought to be 5-23 feet in length, but estimates vary; the creature has only been caught on film eight times.

The Dragon Millipede

It's pretty - and poisonous. The most shocking thing about the Desmoxytes purpurosea, or dragon millipede, is its vibrant pink color. It looks like a collection of flower petals on lots of tiny little legs, which helps it blend into its natural habitat of fallen leaves and flora. The next most shocking thing about the dragon millipede is its natural defense system: it shoots toxic cyanide to keep predators away. The World Wildlife Federation (WWF) introduced the dragon millipede to the world on December 15, 2008, as one of over a thousand species of animals discovered in Southeast Asia in the past decade.

The Yeti Crab

In keeping with the theme of creatures so weird that they need their own taxonomic classification, we have the Kiwa hirsuta, a crustacean from the South Pacific that looks like a lobster and a crab mixed - with very furry pincers. American marine biologists discovered the little critter in 2005, at a location 900 miles south of Easter Island. The crustacean is very tiny and has no eyes. It lives near vents in the ocean that spew fluids toxic to many marine animals. Scientists believe the yeti crab's pincer-hairs act as a filtration system, removing toxic minerals from the water and allowing the creature to survive in its harsh environment. (See 'Sources' at the end of this article for a link to the BBC News site and a picture of the yeti crab.)

The World's Largest Spider

Bad news for arachnophobes: Giant spiders do exist. The Heteropoda maxima was discovered in a cave in Laos in 2001. How big is it? The spider's spindly legs span an entire 12 inches. The good news is that the spider is non-poisonous. A bite from this goliath will only result in pain and swelling for a couple of days. The bad news is that the spider has the ability to cling to things (like hands), and becomes aggressive when shaken off. The Heteropoda maxima is part of the "Wood Spider" or "Huntsman Spider" family, which typically prefers tropical climates - but has been documented as far north as England and Wales.

Thanks to environmental groups, biologists, and occasional dumb luck, we've been introduced to some truly freaky creatures in the past ten years. Humans may be Earth's dominate species, but Mother Nature still has a few freaks up her sleeve. Visit National Geographic Online to learn about more weird animals from the Asian Mekong region.

Sources:

CNN.Com, "Mekong a 'Treasure Trove' of 1,000 Newly Discovered Species".

National Geographic, "Cyanide Millipede, Huge Spider Among New Species".

National Geographic, "Alien-like Squid With 'Elbows' Filmed at Drilling Site".

BBC News, "Furry 'Lobster' Found in Pacific".