10 Creatures With Real Superpowers That Put Marvel To Shame
Brace yourselves, science buffs, because the natural world doesn’t hold back on the extraordinary. From bugs that create shockwaves hotter than the sun to animals that live forever, these 10 incredible creatures have real-life superpowers that rival anything from the pages of a comic book.
Related: 10 types of bacteria with real superpowers
10 Peacock mantis shrimp
The mantis shrimp has eyes that redefine the word vivid. These marine visionaries possess eye wonders that are a marvel of evolutionary engineering. With not one, not two, but no less than sixteen types of photoreceptor cells, they perceive a world of colors and patterns that extends beyond the human spectrum. Imagine seeing colors that don’t even have names in our human vocabulary. It’s like wearing kaleidoscope glasses and diving into a realm of visual splendor that is a symphony of hues and shades, each more vibrant than the next.
Their eyes, mounted on independent stalks, provide a remarkable field of vision – almost 360 degrees – and can move independently. This means they can scan the vast ocean for threats, prey or potential mates without turning their bodies. The mantis shrimp’s visual ability does not stop at color perception. They are also lightning-fast hunters, capable of hitting their prey with the speed of a bullet. Their clubs have so much power that they can shatter glass aquarium walls. Take that, X-ray vision![1]
9 Immortal jellyfish
Hold on to your concept of aging, because the immortal jellyfish is about to turn it upside down. Imagine being able to turn back the clock on your life cycle, just like rewinding a movie. The immortal jellyfish does just that. After it reaches adulthood, it can return to the juvenile stage and start its life cycle again. This phenomenon, known as transdifferentiation, allows the jellyfish to effectively cheat death and possibly live forever.
Unlike most creatures, which age and deteriorate over time, the immortal jellyfish gets a cosmic mulligan. When it faces threats, encounters environmental stress, or simply reaches the end of its life cycle, it undergoes a transformation that returns it to its earliest stage. It’s like pressing Ctrl+Z on a biological level and rewriting the story of its existence. This remarkable ability has captivated scientists and prompted research into whether the jellyfish’s secret could hold the key to combating age-related diseases in humans.[2]
8 Horseshoe bat
These nocturnal vigilantes have perfected a skill that would be the envy of even the most advanced gadgets: echolocation. These bats emit ultrasonic sounds that reverberate through objects and construct a three-dimensional map of their environment without relying on their eyes. It’s as if they’re equipped with a built-in radar system, giving them the uncanny ability to detect obstacles, prey, and even subtle changes in their environment with unparalleled precision.
Each call bounces off the contours of trees, buildings and even fluttering insects, creating an intricate soundscape that paints an invisible yet vivid picture of their surroundings. With their sensitive ears attuned to the echoes, these creatures perform aerial acrobatics that would amaze any stunt pilot. As they navigate the inky darkness, they can calculate distances and shapes, ensuring every dive and glide is executed with grace and accuracy.
And let’s not forget their secret weapon: the striking nose shapes that give them their name. Their unique facial structures, which resemble, you guessed it, horseshoes, play a crucial role in focusing and directing their ultrasound sounds. This biological innovation elevates their echolocation to superhero status, allowing them to perceive nuances in their environment that remain hidden from our human senses.[3]
7 Naked mole rat
Originating from the subterranean realms of East Africa, these wrinkly rodents have emerged as nature’s ultimate time turners. Even as the years pass, these creatures manage to keep their youthful vigor intact. How do they do that? Well, they have an uncanny resistance to cancer, a trait that has many scientists scratching their heads in amazement. Their cells have an extraordinary ability to fend off the rapid division that often leads to tumor growth, making them virtually immune to this all-too-common scourge of aging.
But the naked mole rat doesn’t stop at braving cancer. This little wrinkled wonder has a few other age-defying tricks up his sleeve. Unlike most mammals, these rodents do not experience a decline in reproductive capacity as they age. In fact, their fertility remains rock solid throughout their lives, a feat that has left researchers wide-eyed and curious about the hidden genetic gems responsible for such lasting prowess.
While most rodents have relatively short lifespans, the naked mole rat defies this trend. These creatures are known to live for over thirty years, which is quite a feat considering their size and their burrowing lifestyle, which exposes them to countless dangers. Scientists are currently studying the naked mole rat’s DNA to unlock the molecular secrets behind its remarkable abilities. Could their anti-aging tricks pave the way for human therapies?[4]
6 Sagittarius fish
Meet the archerfish, nature’s sniper specialist. These water marksmen have a unique talent for targeting insects with remarkable accuracy. Picture this: an archerfish lurking beneath the surface of the water, spying an insect resting on a nearby leaf. With a swift motion, he shoots a jet of water from his mouth, precisely calibrated to knock the insect off its perch and into the water. This is not a random spray; the archerfish adjusts its shot depending on the distance and size of the target, showing off its impressive aiming skills.
What’s even more remarkable is how archerfish handle the challenge of underwater photography. Despite the refractive properties of water, these water marksmen have honed their skills to accurately strike beneath the surface. It’s like having an expert sniper who can hit the target, both on land and underwater.[5]
5 Lyrebird
The lyrebird’s mimicry game is a force to be reckoned with. Native to the rainforests of Australia, these avian wonders have so perfected the art of vocal imitation that they can mimic a symphony of sounds far beyond their feathered counterparts. From the trill of kookaburras to the chatter of other bird species, lyrebirds exhibit a remarkable ability to mimic the soundscape around them.
These feathered maestros can also imitate mechanical sounds with astonishing precision. The metallic clink of chainsaws, the whir of camera shutters and even the blaring car alarm: nothing seems off limits to their uncanny vocal talents. Researchers believe their mimicry skill is not just for entertainment; it may also play a role in attracting mates and establishing their territory.[6]
4 Peregrine falcon
When it comes to speed, few creatures on earth can match the peregrine falcon. This modest bird of prey is designed for one thing only: speed. The hunting technique, also known as ‘bending’, is a masterclass in aerodynamics. While stooping, the falcon folds its wings and plummets straight down from an incredible height. During this gravity-defying dive, the peregrine falcon reaches dizzying speeds, reaching speeds of more than 90 mph (149 km/h) – and sometimes even faster.
Imagine witnessing a bird racing through the sky at speeds that rival the latest fighter jets. It’s a demonstration of brute force and precision that leaves comic book heroes in the dust. With its ability to latch onto prey in flight and strike with pinpoint accuracy, the peregrine falcon embodies nature’s own definition of a super-fast superhero.[7]
3 Calamari
When it comes to camouflage, the squid is in a class of its own. Imagine having a superpower that allows you to change your appearance in an instant and adapt to any background or situation. Cuttlefish do just that. These remarkable cephalopods have refined skin that contains specialized cells called chromatophores. These cells contain pigments and can expand or contract rapidly, allowing the squid to change its skin color and pattern with astonishing precision.
The squid goes one step further by using its papillae, which are small muscle-controlled bumps on its skin. By manipulating these papillae, the squid can create a three-dimensional texture that mimics the surfaces it encounters. It’s like having a built-in chameleon suit that changes not only in color but also in texture, allowing the squid to blend in seamlessly with its surroundings.
Cuttlefish use this ability to hunt and to avoid becoming someone else’s dinner. When stalking prey, they can change their appearance to mimic rocks or coral, and come closer without alerting their prey. And when faced with danger, they can turn into a convincing predator, deterring potential threats.[8]
2 Pistol shrimp
The pistol shrimp may be small, but its weapons are nothing short of extraordinary. This unassuming creature is armed with one mighty claw that is something to be reckoned with. When he closes his claw, a cavitation bubble is created: a small underwater vacuum that collapses with an explosive shock wave.
This shock wave generates temperatures that rival the surface of the sun and can reach as high as 7,232 degrees Fahrenheit (4,000 degrees Celsius). Imagine the energy of a lightning bolt crammed into a small underwater explosion. It’s a natural feat that can rival even the most extravagant special effects.[9]
1 Hairy Frog
The hairy frog, also known as the horror frog, is an animal that exhibits exceptional courage when faced with danger. The unique self-defense mechanism takes protection to a whole new level and has attracted significant interest from researchers and scientists around the world.
When the hairy frog senses a threat, it deliberately breaks its own toe bones, turning them into sharp, pointed spikes that emerge from the skin. This gives the frog a fearsome appearance and can be used to ward off attackers or deter predators. The relatively large frog is native to Africa and is usually found in rainforests, swamps and wetlands. It has a body covered in hair-like structures that give it a unique appearance, hence the name.[10]