The top 10 most dangerous snakes (Close contact with one of these reptiles might result in death).

        They hiss, slither, and, regrettably for people and unwary victims, bite. According to the World Health Organization, snakes bite around 5.4 million people each year, resulting in 81,000 to 138,000 fatalities.

Toxins created in a modified salivary gland that the animal subsequently injects into food using its teeth are used by venomous snakes to kill their victims. Researchers stated in the journal Frontiers of Ecology and Evolution in 2019 that such venom has developed over millions of years to trigger severe responses in victims ranging from immobility and bleeding to tissue death and inflammation. Here are 10 snakes whose venom not only kills tiny prey but may also kill people.

 

1. Inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus)

             According to the International Journal of Neuropharmacology, the inland taipan is one of the most poisonous snakes, with only a trace of its venom killing prey (or human victims). They reside in the clay fissures of the floodplains of Queensland and South Australia, typically inside the pre-dug burrows of other animals. The inland taipan, which lives in more distant areas than the coastal taipan, seldom comes into touch with people, according to the Australian Museum. When attacked, the taipan curls its body into a tight S-shape before shooting out in a single rapid bite or many bites. The hyaluronidase enzyme is a key component of its venom that distinguishes it from other species. This enzyme, according to a 2020 edition of Poisons magazine (Novel Strategies for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Snakebites), enhances the rate of toxins absorption throughout the victim's body.

 

2. Coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus)

(Image © - dreamstime.com)

      According to the Australian Museum, you might be bitten numerous times before becoming aware of the coastal taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus). When attacked, this snake, which lives in temperate and tropical coastal wet woods, would raise its whole body off the ground before leaping fangs-first and injecting poison into its prey. According to Australian Geographic, until 1956, when an effective antivenom was developed, this snake's bite was virtually invariably lethal.

 

3. King cobra (Ophiophagus hannah)

(Image © - thoughtco.com)

      According to the Natural History Museum in London, the king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the world's longest poisonous snake, reaching up to 18 feet (5.4 m). According to the Smithsonian Institution, the snake's keen vision enables it to detect a moving human from approximately 330 feet (100 meters). When attacked, a king cobra will flare out its "hood," or the skin over its head, using specific ribs and muscles in its neck; these snakes can also raise their heads off the ground nearly a third of their total length, according to the San Diego Zoo.

The snake's claim to fame is not so much the power of its venom as it is the volume injected into victims: each bite delivers roughly 7 milliliters (about 0.24 fluid ounces) of venom, and the snake attacks with three or four bites in fast succession, according to the Fresno Zoo. According to Sean Carroll, a molecular researcher at the University of Maryland, a single bite may kill a person in 15 minutes and an adult elephant in only a few hours.

 

4. Banded krait (Bungarus fasciatus)

       The banded krait (Bungarus fasciatus) moves slowly throughout the day and bites significantly more often after nightfall. According to 2016 research published in the journal PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, snake venom may paralyze muscles and prevent the diaphragm from moving. This prevents air from entering the lungs, resulting in asphyxia.

 

5. Saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus)

(Image © - flickr.com/Deben Delhay)

          The saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) is the smallest of India's "Big Four," along with Russell's viper, common krait (Bungarus caeruleus), and Indian cobra (Naja naja), which are regarded to be responsible for the majority of bites and fatalities.

When threatened, this viper begins "sizzling" by rubbing together specific serrated scales, rather than the usual "hissing" sound associated with snakes, according to a journal statement. When bitten by this viper, a human will experience regional swelling and agony, as well as probable bleeding. According to the educational association Understanding Animal Research, since the venom interferes with a person's capacity to coagulate blood, it may cause internal bleeding and, eventually, severe renal failure. Hydration and antivenom (this snake has nine forms of antivenom) should be delivered within hours after the bite for a human to survive, according to Understanding Animal Research.

 

6. Russell's viper (Daboia russelii)

(Image © - rahulalvares.com)

       According to a study published on March 25, 2021, in the journal PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, snake bites cause around 58,000 deaths in India each year, with Russell's viper (Daboia russelii) accounting for the bulk of these fatalities. Researchers stated in the journal Toxins in 2021 that this species is one of the most lethal of the real vipers.

In Sri Lanka, where this nocturnal viper prefers to slumber in rice fields, they are responsible for a high rate of fatality among paddy farmers during harvest season. Researchers noted in the Handbook of Clinical Neurology in 2014 that the snake's venom may cause a terrible buffet of symptoms, including abrupt renal failure, severe bleeding, and multi-organ damage. Some of the venom's coagulation components may cause acute strokes and, in rare circumstances, symptoms akin to Sheehan's syndrome, in which the pituitary gland ceases releasing specific hormones. According to the manual, victims often die from renal failure.

 

7. Eastern tiger snake (Notechis scutatus)

(Image © - news.curtin.edu.au)

       The eastern tiger snake (Notechis scutatus), which is native to southeast Australia's highlands and grasslands, is called for the yellow and black stripes on its body, however not all populations have that pattern, according to the Australian Museum. Its strong venom may kill people within 15 minutes of a bite and is responsible for at least one fatality each year on average, according to the University of Adelaide.

 

8. Boomslang (Dispholidus typus)

(Image © - Wikipedia.org)

       Herpetologist Karl Patterson Schmidt died around 24 hours after being bitten on the thumb by a juvenile boomslang (also known as a South African green tree snake), researchers reported in the journal Biochimica et Biophysica Acta in 2017. Schmidt at The Field Museum in Chicago had been tasked with identifying the snake. Schmidt, like others in the field at the time (1890), felt that rear-fanged snakes like the boomslang (Dispholidus typus) couldn't generate a venom dosage lethal to humans. They were mistaken.

According to the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, the boomslang, which may be found across Africa but is most common in Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, is one of the most poisonous of the so-called rear-fanged snakes. When not in use, these snakes may fold their fangs back into their mouths. According to the Museum, this snake, like other dangerous snakes, produces hemotoxic venom that causes victims to bleed inside and externally.

The boomslang has an egg-shaped head, huge eyes, and a bright-green striped body. According to the South African National Biodiversity Institute, when threatened, the snake may balloon its neck to double its size and show a brilliantly colored flap of skin between its scales. A boomslang bite might result in a horrific death. According to Scientific American: "Victims have significant muscle and brain hemorrhaging, and blood will begin to pour out of every conceivable outlet, including the gums and nostrils, as well as the smallest of incisions. Blood will also begin to travel through the victim's body via their feces, urine, saliva, and vomit until they die." If a victim can acquire it in time, there is an antivenom for the boomslang.

 

9. Fer-de-lance (Bothrops asper)

(Image © - pinimg.com)

       According to 1984 research published in the journal Toxicon, a bite from a fer-de-lance (Bothrops asper) may color a person's bodily tissue black as it starts to die. According to 2001 research published in the journal Toxicon, these pit vipers, which occur in Central and South America and are between 3.9 and 8.2 feet (1.2 and 2.5 m) long and weigh up to 13 pounds (6 kg), are responsible for over half of all snakebite venom poisonings in Central America. A bite from this snake may induce bleeding because its venom includes an anticoagulant (a chemical that prevents blood clotting).

If that isn't enough to put you off, consider this: according to the University of Costa Rica, a female may give birth to 90 ferocious offspring.

 

10. Black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis)

(Image © - sanbi.org)

          The black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis), Africa's deadliest snake, can kill a human with only two droplets of venom. Black mambas are brownish in hue and were named from the dark, inky tint within their jaws. They are around 8 feet (2.5 meters) long and can go at a speed of 12 mph (19 km/h).

The long snakes are born with two to three droplets of venom in each fang, making them fatal biters from the start. According to Kruger National Park, by maturity, they may store up to 20 drips in each of their teeth. A bite from this African snake is almost usually fatal if not treated.

The venom of a black mamba interferes with activity at a junction where nerves and muscles link, resulting in paralysis, according to Ryan Blumenthal of the University of Pretoria in The Conversation. Because the venom is also cardiotoxic, it has the potential to induce cardiac arrest. According to Blumenthal, this was the situation with a South African man who was bitten by a black mamba on his index finger. Within 20 minutes of arriving at the hospital, he was already in cardiac arrest. Despite being treated with antivenom, the guy died days later, according to Blumenthal.

Scientists are unsure how many people are killed by black mambas each year, but Blumenthal believes they are responsible for the majority of snake-related fatalities in southern Africa.

Source: www.livescience.com

The 10 Most Dangerous and deadly Birds in the World - Beautiful But Dangerous..!

  What comes to mind first when we think about deadly birds? Perhaps you don't see a hulking pterodactyl pursuing you, but you could imagine birds of prey or even huge poultry. Surprisingly, certain birds, despite their small size, may pose serious threats.

 Other birds are just harmful in ways that you may not have considered. Let's learn more about these amazing flying animals and why they made our list of the top ten most deadly and dangerous birds in the world.

 The 10 Most Dangerous and deadly Birds in the World

 1. Cassowary

Scientific Name: Casuarius
The continent of Origin: Australia
Weight: 121-167 pounds
Height: 5.8 feet
Lifespans: up to 60 years

An adult cassowary

        The colorful-faced cassowary is a wonderful flightless bird. They are Australia's heaviest bird and only second in the world after the ostrich.

 These jet black-bodied birds are classified into three types. Females are bigger and, in general, more colorful than males. These birds have a casque on their heads, which is a thick covering of keratin (what our fingernails are made of).

 While they are undeniably beautiful, they are the most hazardous bird to mankind. You won't be surprised when you see the daggers on the inside of their legs. They, like roosters, have a defensive mechanism that allows them to kick and slash possible predators.

 Even though it may be lethal if approached too closely, it is useful in the wild.

 2. Ostrich

Scientific Name: Struthio camelus
The continent of Origin: Africa
Weight: 140-320 pounds
Height: 6.9-9 feet
Lifespan: 30 to 40 years

A Common Ostrich With her babies. (image © -avibirds.com)

     

    Introducing the world's biggest bird: the ostrich. These enormous birds are excellent runners from Africa. What they lack in flying, they compensate for with incredible speed. If the two of you were in a race, they could sprint brief spurts of up to 43 miles per hour.

 As you would expect from all that activity, these birds have strong legs. Ostriches have light, fluffy feathers that are pleasant to the touch rather than tight, harsh feathers, giving them a typical shaggy appearance. Because their feathers are not impermeable like those of other birds, they may become wet.

 When an ostrich is afraid, legend has it that it buries its head in the sand. While this may seem to be the case from a distance, it is not the case. As a sort of camouflage, they just extend out on the ground.

 When it comes to fitness or flight, these birds can unleash a tremendous kick powerful enough to kill a lion—so they're not joking.

 3. Emu

Scientific Name: Dromaius novaehollandiae
The continent of Origin: Australia
Weight: 79-88 pounds
Height: 5.7-6 feet
Lifespan: 25 to 28 years

(image © -australian.museum)

   

   The emu is the world's second-largest bird, although not its heaviest (that award goes to the cassowary, as we mentioned earlier in the article.) These fluffy, flightless species, which resemble ostriches, carry a powerful punch.

 They, too, have strong, muscular legs with three forward-facing toes that help them to move quickly. At maximum speed, an adult emu can sprint up to 30 miles per hour. Their fluffy body feathers provide a natural sunscreen or an additional layer of protection.

 The emu, like the previous two birds described, scares off predators by kicking them hard. In captivity, they also have fairly sassy attitudes and may be quite deadly if not treated correctly.

 4. Lammergeier

Scientific Name: Gypaetus barbatus
The continent of Origin: Asia, Africa
Weight: 13 pounds
Height: 40 inches
Lifespan: up to 40 years

(Image © -freepik.com)

  

   One glance at the lammergeier could be enough to terrify the pants off you and in this instance, appearances aren't misleading. These big birds resemble eagles, but they are shaggier and more malevolent. They consume carrion and bones, so they don't pose much of a hazard to living things, but there's a catch.

 These birds are known as "lamb vultures." And why, you ask? Because these birds are huge enough to steal cattle and even young children. Thankfully, the chances of such occurring are little to none since these vultures favor dead things.

 If you wander across their domain, you could receive something dropped on your head. These birds will often carry bones to dizzying heights before dropping them to the earth.

 So, if you happen to be underneath it, it might certainly do some harm. The odds of such occurring are approximately the same as being struck by lightning. So you're probably safe from the lammergeier.

 5. Great Horned Owl

Scientific Name: Bubo virginianus
The continent of Origin: North America
Weight: 3.2 pounds
Height: 24 inches
Lifespan: 13 to 20 years

   While the magnificent great-horned owl is a ferocious predator, it poses little danger to people. While uncommon, an owl may attack a hiker or walker if they get too near to a nest.

 If you live in the country, these ferocious predators might pose a serious threat to your home pets. These huge birds may easily prey on small-breed dogs and cats. Because of their strong grasp, owl injuries may be incredibly difficult to cure.

Fortunately, most dogs and cats stay home or seek cover at night, making this a remote possibility. However, if the owl had that chance, they would very certainly attack. Squirrels, opossums, geese, hawks, snakes, and frogs are their primary food choices.

 6. Red-Tailed Hawk

Scientific Name: Buteo jamaicensis

The continent of Origin: North America

Weight: 2.4 pounds

Height: 18-26 inches

Lifespan: 10 to 15 years

(Image © - worldatlas.com)

     In the wild, the red-tailed hawk is a violent and merciless predator. It often snatches victims before they even know what's occurring. Though hawks are not often deadly to humans, they may be dangerous to smaller animals such as chickens.

 Red-tailed hawks hunt throughout the day yet blend in incredibly well with the natural environment. These efficient fliers have lightning-fast targeting abilities. They have powerful talons with which they collapse and hold their prey.

The Red-tailed hawks are day hunters with keen vision and precision flying. Interestingly, although this hawk will consume a variety of smaller rodents and reptiles, they may also consume carrion if hungry enough.

 There are falconry organizations that lawfully possess and fly hawks for entertainment purposes. These hawks will fly out to hunt and return with their catch. Before obtaining a license, you must complete specific training with a mentor.

 7. Great Northern Loon

Scientific Name: Gavia immer
The continent of Origin: Europe
Weight: 3.5-18 pounds
Height: 27-36 inches
Lifespan: 15 to 30 years

(Image © - britannica.com)

   The great northern loon belongs to the diving bird family. These lovely ducks have fascinating speckled patterns, blackheads, and bright red eyes.

 These birds may seem to be innocent, yet they may become rather aggressive during nesting season. If you manage to come upon their eggs, their beaks may rip and tear, causing considerable harm. If they feel threatened, they will use their beak like a sword to attack the predator.

 Even scarier, they often attack the head, neck, and eyes. So, during nesting season, your best strategy is to keep as far away from them as possible. They often nest near lakeshores, so keep an eye out between May and late June.

 8. Mute Swan

Scientific Name: Cygnus olor
The continent of Origin: North America
Weight: 19-26 pounds
Height: 47 inches
Lifespan: 20 to 30 years

(Image © - gettyimages.com)

   Mute swans, which may weigh up to 26 pounds, are among the biggest waterfowl. These birds are well-known for forming lifelong couples and swimming beautifully. These gorgeous animals may seem tranquil on the water, yet they are wary of any dangers. They are the most aggressive of the waterfowl species.

 Swans will be unconcerned as long as their territory is not threatened. When it comes time to mate, nest, and rear their young, these aggressive birds drive out practically all neighboring creatures. They also drive local birds away from their nests in order to keep the place alone while they inhabit it.

 Even though swans may be highly cantankerous if disturbed, you can prevent this behavior entirely by avoiding breeding areas. It's nice to sit back and admire these elegant animals, but maintain your distance.

 9. Australian Magpie

Scientific Name Gymnorhina tibicen
The continent of Origin: Australia
Weight: 708-12.3 ounces
Height: 14.5-17 inches
Lifespan: 25 years

(Image © - gettyimages.com)

   

        The Australian magpie is a medium-sized black and white passerine. They resemble the American crow and raven in appearance. But don't be fooled by their beauty; these birds are very territorial, with reports of assaults every year.

 When there is a perceived danger near their nesting location, they will attempt to "swoop" at the intruder. If they can, they will keep doing this, becoming more aggressive each time. It is so widespread in Australia that they call their nesting season "swooping season."

 Magpie swooping tragically resulted in the death of a five-month-old infant in Australia towards the end of summer. The magpie caused the baby's mother to slip and fall, causing her to be dropped. Despite being transported to the hospital, the infant died soon afterward.

 While it is not fair to suggest that magpies kill people, they may provide dangers and infection concerns.

 10. European Herring Gull

Scientific Name: Larus argentatus
The continent of Origin: Europe
Weight: 1.6-2.4 pounds
Height: 24-26 inches
Lifespan: up to 50 years

(image © - bbc.co)

          Although the European herring gull may seem to be a beach bird at first appearance, these birds may be rather testy during the breeding season. These birds may be found around Europe's coasts, depositing eggs on beaches. They usually congregate in couples that mate for life.

 When eggs are incubating, males fiercely defend the territory, keeping an eye out for any possible threats. They are so possessive that they may sometimes murder unfamiliar chicks of their own species. They have even been seen attacking dogs on the beach.

 They're inquisitive birds while being a touch feisty when it comes to guarding their young. They like stealing food from beaches and sniffing around to see if you have anything to give.

 

Conclusion

When we think of deadly creatures, birds may not even come to mind. However, when you look at all of the strong, aggressive diverse species, you can see that some of these birds mean business.

 Even though some of these birds seem to be bullies, they are only doing what nature intended.

Source: opticsmag.com

Top 10 Rare, Scary And Beautiful Hybrid Animals. - What exactly is a hybrid animal..?

You've most likely heard about hybrid animal species. But did you know that there are lots of hybrid creatures all over the place?

Some of these hybrid creatures occur naturally, but the majority are the result of human intervention and selective breeding.

What exactly is a hybrid animal..?

Species are groupings of living creatures that are related enough to exchange DNA or interbreed. A hybrid animal, on the other hand, is born when parents from two distinct (though generally highly closely related) species can have offspring.

Although there are a few exceptions, hybrid offspring of two distinct species are normally sterile and unable to reproduce. It is possible to create a breeding line of fertile hybridized animals with scientific intervention and specific breeding techniques (including artificial insemination).

well, let's take a look at 10 such rare, scary and beautiful hybrid animals.

1. Liger
(Male tiger & female lion)

(Image © - crownridgetigers.com)

     The liger is the biggest feline living today, weighing up to 420 kg. It is a combination of a male lion and a female tiger. They have brown fur with subtle striped patterns that fade away in various spots. Ligers are not known to occur in the wild (since their parents' habitats do not coincide) and have only been spotted in captivity where they have been carefully bred.

2. Tigon
(Male lion & female tiger)

(Image © - techeblog.com)

   A tigon is the offspring of a male tiger and a female lion. The body of a tigon is light brown with stripes and a white underbelly, and it has a huge mane and spotted head. Since they are mostly infertile, tigons only exist in captivity as part of breeding projects (though there have been several notable exceptions).

3. Jaglion
(Male jaguar & female lion)

(Image © - From Twitter @racionalistaweb)

  These rare hybrid large cats are known as 'jaglions,' and only two are known to exist. Jahzara and Tsunami are naturally born siblings of a male jaguar and a female lion bred in the same zoo, and they currently reside at Bear Creek Wildlife Sanctuary in Ontario, Canada.

4. Leopon
(Male leopard & female lion)

   The leopon is an extremely rare cross between a male leopard and a lioness that has never been seen outside of captivity. The leopon resembles a mythical beast, with the head of a lion and the body of a leopard. The first leopon was made in India in 1910, and it is estimated that just approximately 100 remain in the world today.

5. Cheetoh
(Bengal cat & Ocicat)

(Image © - petguide.com)

   The cheetoh was created in 2001 by a breeder who wanted to produce a new feline with the morphological traits of a wild cat and the kindness of a domestic cat. They succeeded, and the cheetah now has a beautiful, velvety coat that resembles a little leopard or cheetah, with small rosettes or spots in brown, gold, and cinnamon hues. Cheetohs are one of the most common domestic cat breeds, yet hybrids are very unusual.

6. Grolar bear
(Polar bear & brown bear)

(Image © - sierraclub.org)

    These remarkable hybrid apex predators, which combine grizzly and polar bears, are also known as polar Grizz, polizzle, pizzly bear, grizzlar, or nanulakm. They are relatively uncommon in that they are more commonly seen in the wild than in zoos.

A strange-looking bear that was shot on Banks Island in the Canadian Arctic provided the DNA evidence for the first verified sighting of a grolar, which occurred in 2006. It's possible that polar bears and brown bears are interacting more in the wild due to climate change, leading to an increase in their sharing of overlapping regions.

7. Coywolf
(Coyote & wolf)

    Coyotes and wolves just started diverging from one another around 200,000 years ago, and the two species are still able to mate and give birth to coywolves, who are healthy offspring. Coywolves are between the size of a coyote and a wolf when fully grown, and they exhibit numerous traits from both of their parents. It is unknown whether coywolves are creatures that form lifelong partnerships, like both of their parent species do.

8. Beefalo
(Buffalo & cow)

 

  Beefalo are the progeny of domestic cattle and American bison that have been fertilized (known as buffalo). The earliest crossings between these two species are considered to have happened some 250 years ago, with purposeful crossbreeding beginning in the nineteenth century.

The beefalo was intended to combine the finest qualities of both species to boost beef production, but it has regrettably resulted in a significant setback to wild American bison conservation, with wild bison populations getting tainted with cow DNA.

9. Dzo
(Cow & wild yak)

 

(Image © - safarisafricana.com)

    The dzo is a male hybrid of a yak and a domestic cow that originated on the high plateaus of Mongolia and Tibet. Male hybrids are normally infertile, while the female hybrid, known as a dzomo or zhom, is fertile. These hybrids are bigger and stronger than cows and yaks, and they are appreciated for their meat and milk production.

10. Zubron
(Cow & European bison)

 

   Zubron was created by breeding domestic cattle with European bison to create a new breed of domestic cattle that was bigger, stronger, and more disease resistant.

Zubron is an extraordinarily huge hybrid capable of withstanding hard winters, with males reaching up to 1,200 kilograms. The first zubrons were produced in 1847, but the effort failed for a variety of reasons, leaving just a tiny herd roaming freely in Poland's Bialowieski National Park.

 (Source: safarisafricana.com)

Top 10 Weird "Invertebrate" Did you Know About These Creatures...?

You and I have heard and seen about many invertebrates. But I will introduce you to some strange creatures that we have never seen or heard of

Here is a list of the top 10 startlingly weird large invertebrates in the world.

1. Bobbit worm (Eunice aphroditois)

A close-up of the Bobbit worm's claws (Copyright © - uwphotographyguide.com)

         Eunice aphroditois, the Bobbit worm, is a vicious underwater predator. The Eunice worm, sometimes known as the Bobbit worm, may be found in sandy, mucky diving locations all throughout the world.

The Bobbit worm has been spotted scuba diving in Secret Bay in Bali, Indonesia, Police Pier & Nudie Retreat in Lembeh, Indonesia, and Mainit Muck or Basura in Anilao, Philippines.

 

Head with antennae (Copyright © -wikipedia.org)

This worm prefers the sandy and gravel substrates seen on "muck" dives. This species may be found stalking about the prey-rich habitat of coral reefs, where its color lets it blend in and its thin form allows it to hunt in small spaces. It lives in a variety of diverse environments, including sandy and muddy sediments, as well as near rocks and sponges. It has been observed at depths ranging from 95 meters to 125 meters.

Bobbit worm grabbing a fish... (Copyright © - uwphotographyguide.com)

  E.aphroditois detect passing prey using its antennae, seizes it with its jaws, and pulls it into its burrow. To lessen predation danger, certain fish engage in mobbing behavior, in which a school of fish directs water jets into the worm's burrow to disorient it. This species is not only a carnivore, preying on a variety of fish, but it is also a herbivore/omnivore, grazing on algae, and a decomposer, feeding on dead and rotting material.

2. Goliath beetle (Goliathus )

   Goliath beetles (named after the legendary giant Goliath) are any of the five species in the genus Goliathus. Goliath beetles are among the biggest insects on the planet in terms of size, volume, and weight. They are members of the Scarabaeidae subfamily Cetoniinae. Goliath beetles may be found in many of Africa's tropical woods, where they feed largely on tree sap and fruit. Little is known about the larval cycle in the wild, however Goliathus beetles have been successfully grown from egg to adult in captivity using protein-rich meals such as commercial cat and dog food.

(Copyright © - naturalhistorycuriosities.com)

 As adults, Goliath beetles range in size from 60-110 millimeters (2.4-4.3 in) for males and 50-80 millimeters (2.0-3.1 in) for females, and can weigh up to 80-100 grams (2.8-3.5 oz) in the larval stage, however, adults are only about half this size. Females range in color from rich chestnut brown to silky white, whilst males are usually brown/white/black or black/white.

3.Giant isopod (Bathynomus giganteus) 

      

(Copyright © - allthatsinteresting.com)

Giant isopods are a notable example of deep-sea gigantism (see giant squid), as they are much bigger than "normal" isopods, which may grow to be up to 5 cm long (2.0 in). Bathynomus species are classified as "giant" when adults are between 8 and 15 cm (3.1 and 5.9 in) long, and "supergiant" when adults are between 17 and 50 cm long (6.7 and 19.7 in). B. giganteus, one of the "supergiants," grows to be between 19 and 36 cm (7.5 and 14.2 in) long; a 76 cm (30 in) the tall individual has been reported in the popular press, but the longest confirmed was about 50 cm (20 in).

(Copyright © - wildkratts.fandom.com)

   Giant isopods have been discovered in the West Atlantic, from Georgia (USA) to Brazil, as well as in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. B. obtusus, B. miyarei, B. maxeyorum, and B. giganteus are the four known Atlantic species, with the latter being the only one documented off the coast of the United States. Bathynomus species are only found in the Indo-Pacific.

4. Coconut crab (Birgus latro)

   

(Copyright © - mongabay.com)

   The coconut crab (Birgus latro), often known as the robber crab or palm thief, is a kind of terrestrial hermit crab. With a weight of up to 4.1 kg, it is the biggest terrestrial arthropod on the planet (9 lb). It may grow to be up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) wide from one leg tip to the other. It is found on islands throughout the Indian Ocean and parts of the Pacific Ocean as far east as the Gambier Islands and the Pitcairn Islands, similar to how the coconut palm is found; however, it has been eradicated from most areas with a significant human population, including mainland Australia and Madagascar. Coconut crabs may also be seen near Zanzibar on the African coast.

(Copyright © - treehugger.com)

   Coconut crabs eat mostly succulent fruits (especially Ochrosia ackeringae, Arenga listeri, Pandanus elatus, and P. christmatensis), nuts (Aleurites moluccanus), drupes (Cocos nucifera), seeds (Annona reticulata), and fallen tree pith. They will, however, ingest other organic items, such as turtle hatchlings and dead animals, because they are omnivores.

5. Japanese spider crab (Macrocheira kaempferi)

 

(Copyright © - Wikipedia.org)

The Japanese spider crab (Macrocheira kaempferi) is a specific type of marine crab found in Japan's oceans. It is the arthropod with the longest leg span. To reach its enormous size, it goes through three major larval phases as well as a prezoeal stage.

The leg span of the Japanese spider crab is the longest of any arthropod, reaching up to 3.7 m (12.1 ft) from claw to claw.

Japanese spider crabs have the longest leg span of any other arthropod

 

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The crab's carapace may grow to be 40 cm (16 in) wide, and the crab can weigh up to 19 kg (42 lb), second only to the American lobster in bulk among all extant arthropod species. The eversible proboscis has a pair of huge jaws and is nearly a fifth the length of the entire organism. It is a greyish-brown color with no patterning.

6. Giant polynoid worm (Eulagisca gigantea)

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   Eulagisca gigantea is a scale worm found at depths ranging from 40 to 700 meters in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.

   Eulagisca gigantea can grow to be 20 cm (8 in) long and 10 cm wide (4 in). It is flattened dorso-ventrally and contains 40 segments with 15 pairs of elytra.

7. Labidiaster annulatus Starfish

   

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     Labidiaster annulatus, often known as the Antarctic Sun starfish or wolf trap starfish, is a species of starfish in the Heliasteridae family. It lives in the icy seas near Antarctica and has many slender, flexible rays.

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Labidiaster annulatus has a broad center disc and 40 to 45 long, thin rays that can grow to be 60 centimeters in diameter (24 in). The disc is somewhat expanded and lifted over the rays' bases. The madreporite is big and at the disc's edge. A mesh network of tiny, slightly overlapping plates covers the aboral or top surface. These are protected by a membrane that has several elevated projections known as papulae.

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The Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, and the South Sandwich Islands are home to Labidiaster annulatus. The depth range of this starfish extends from the intertidal zone to 554 meters (1,818 feet), however, it is most usually found between 30 and 400 meters (98 and 1,312 ft). It dwells on the seafloor and can be found on sand, mud, gravel, and rocks.

8. Brittle star (Ophiuroidea)   

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Brittle stars, serpent stars, or ophiuroids (from Latin Ophiuchus 'brittle star,' and o (ourá) 'tail,' referring to the serpent-like limbs of the brittle star) are echinoderms in the genus Ophiuroidea, closely related to starfish. They move over the seafloor by crawling with their flexible arms. The ophiuroids have five long, thin, whip-like arms that can grow to be as long as 60 cm (24 in) on the biggest specimens.

Green brittle star - Ophiarachna incrassata (Copyright © - Wikipedia.org)

Ophiuroidea is divided into two main clades: Ophiurida (brittle stars) and Euryalida (basket stars). Today, there are about 2,000 species of brittle stars. More than 1200 of these species may be found in depths of more than 200 meters. Brittle stars sexually mature in two to three years, reach full maturity in three to four years and can survive for up to five years.

9. Cidaroid Sea Urchins (Cidaroida)

A pencil urchin (Copyright © - Wikipedia.org)

 Cidaroida is the sole extant order of the Perischoechinoidea subclass of primordial sea urchins. During the Mesozoic, all other orders of this subclass, which were even more basic than living creatures, became extinct.

Eucidaris tribuloides (Slate Urchin) (Copyright © - atlantisgozo.com)

They lack buccal slits and have considerably more widely spaced main spines than other sea urchins. Other rudimentary features of the test include very simple plates and ambulacral plates that continue in a succession across the membrane that surrounds the mouth.

10. Sea Pigs (Scotoplanes)

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     Scotoplanes is a genus of deep-water sea cucumbers in the Elpidiidae family. Its species is frequently referred to as sea pigs. Scotoplanes may reach lengths of 4-6" (15 cm). They are bilaterally symmetrical, with six pairs of tube feet, the biggest near the anus and the smallest towards the mid-body. Scotoplanes have 10 buccal tentacles that line their mouth cavity.

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Scotoplanes are small and have their own defense system to keep predators at bay. Their skin includes holothurin, a toxic substance that is harmful to other organisms. They have tube feet, dorsal papillae, and buccal tentacles as external appendages.

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Scotoplanes, like other echinoderms, have a poorly developed respiratory system and breathe through their anus. This is due to the absence of a respiratory tree.

They are mystery creatures found in deep waters...!