There are a lot of terrifying and absurd creatures out there. We see them in the news, online, and sometimes even in our backyard. There are so many strange creatures out there that many have us have never heard of. Here are the top five absurd creatures you will pray you never have the misfortune of meeting because their behaviors are incredibly shocking.
1. Bombardier Beetle
The Bombardier Beetle is a ground beetle that can live in a variety of environments including grasslands, dunes, deserts and forests. As long as there is enough moisture in the habitat allowing them to lay their eggs, the ground beetles can live and survive. What gets this beetle a place on the list of the top five absurd creatures is its defense mechanism. The beetle has evolved a tiny cannon in its buttocks. (Yes you read that correctly). The spray that shoots from its buttocks-cannon is produced by the noxious combination of hydroquinone and hydrogen peroxide. The spray actually shoots out at its predators at boiling temperatures. Some of the beetles can even direct the spray, and shoot it over a wide range in numerous directions. The spray can be fatal to its predators.
2. Snapping Shrimp
Snapping shrimp, also referred to as pistol shrimp, are hundreds of species of shrimp that have an enormous claw that they use to shoot at their predators. The snapping shrimp actually shoots bullets of bubbles that can kill their enemies; at the very least it knocks them out. The sound that the shooting makes is louder than that of an actual gun. You would think that creatures would not mess with a tiny shrimp that shoots bullets at his predators, but the snapping shrimp is actually pretty susceptible to the many looming threats of the ocean.
3. Moray Eel
Next on the top five list of absurd creatures is the moray eel. This is an eel that you do not want to mess with because its methods of mayhem are shocking. When it attacks its prey, the moray eel hooks the unfortunate creature in its set of regular teeth. Then another set of jaws shoots out of its throat, grabs the poor creature from the first set of jaws, and pulls it down its throat, never to be seen again. How is that for an absolutely terrifying behavior? Some of these eels can reach ten feet, and spend their lives lurking in deep, dark crevices, waiting for their next victim, which they then swallow whole. Suddenly, I do not want to ever swim in the ocean again.
4. Mantis Shrimp
Mantis shrimp can range in size from less than an inch to over a foot. However, do not let their short stature fool you; they are pretty lethal creatures. These guys do not seem to have any sort of complex about their height either. They battle large octopuses and even go after humans. They strike their prey so quickly that they temporarily heat the water around them to a temperature that is reportedly as hot of the surface of the sun.
5. Vampire Finches
While many of us have heard of Darwin’s finches of the Galapagos Islands, I am not sure many of us would be as familiar with the terrifying bully of the birds that is the vampire finch. These birds appear to attack other birds on the Galapagos in mobs. They peck at the tail feather of the birds until they draw blood. Sometimes their victims just sit there without even fighting back. Not only that but they seemingly live to terrorize and annoy other birds, for no specific reason, and they get away with it. They will steal eggs from other species of finches, and roll them along the ground until they reach a hill or cliff, and simply push the eggs over the edge, just to be mean. Vampire Finches also watch each other’s behaviors to improve on their intimidation skills.
These are just the top five absurd creatures, who regularly practice terrifying and shocking behaviors, from one writer’s point of view. There are thousands more out there, and more being discovered each year. While you are probably safe from the threats of the Galapagos, be careful the next time you decide to take a nice relaxing dip in the ocean!
By: Lauren DiDonato
