No.11: Peacock Mantis Shrimp
Don’t be fooled by its dazzling colors and jewel-like patterns—the Peacock Mantis Shrimp is one of the most formidable predators in the sea. Found in the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific, this crustacean wields a pair of raptorial appendages capable of delivering punches at speeds over 50 mph (80 km/h). That’s fast enough to generate cavitation bubbles—tiny underwater shockwaves that can stun or kill prey. Its strike is so powerful it can shatter clam shells, crack snail armor, and even break aquarium glass.
And then there are its eyes—arguably the most advanced in the animal kingdom. While humans have three types of photoreceptor cells, the mantis shrimp boasts up to 16, enabling it to see ultraviolet, polarized light, and an estimated 100,000 color variations. It’s like having a built-in, high-tech multispectral scanner.
With its brutal punch and unparalleled vision, the Peacock Mantis Shrimp is nature’s perfect blend of beauty and brutality—a true assassin of the reef.
No.10: Saiga Antelope
Roaming the vast grasslands of Central Asia, the Saiga antelope is unforgettable at first glance—thanks to its bizarre, oversized nose. Hanging downward like a shrunken elephant trunk, this bulbous snout is more than just a quirky feature. It’s a multifunctional survival tool: in summer, it filters out dust from the steppe winds; in winter, it warms and humidifies icy air before it reaches the lungs.
A living relic from the Ice Age, the Saiga once teetered on the brink of extinction due to hunting and disease. Today, conservation efforts have brought hope for its recovery. To witness a herd of these odd-nosed antelopes rippling across the open plains, noses trembling as they run, is to glimpse the very spirit of the grasslands—a fleeting vision of a world that almost vanished.
