Some real-world creatures have such extraordinary abilities, that they seem like they belong in a fantasy world. For writers, this can be very useful. For example, let’s say you wanted to create a creature that can spray acid; well, you can take inspiration from the bombardier beetle. When alarmed, they spray a noxious chemical that is near to the temperature of boiling water. If you take some of the characteristics that give this beetle it’s ability and put it in your fantasy creation, you will have a more realistic creature without having to put in as much work as you would have trying to figure out everything on your own.

With that in mind, you have the benefit of me being a documentary nerd, so I can share with you just some of the amazing abilities some creatures on earth have.

Shrimp With Serious Weapon-Power:

The pistol shrimp (alpheidae) can snap their claws at such extraordinary speeds that it releases a burst of shockwave energy that can reach temperatures comparable to the surface of the sun. This makes them able to stun or kill prey, and makes them one of the loudest creatures in the ocean.

Equally amazing, the mantis shrimp (stomatopods) has the fastest strike in the animal kingdom. Their strikes are so rapid that they can generate cavitation bubbles and produce a shockwave capable of stunning or even killing their prey. The larger of the species pack a punch that has the same force as a rifle bullet.

Cave-Glowing Larvae:

You might have heard of the bioluminescent(glow-in-the-dark) abilities of fireflies or squids, but have you heard of glow worms? These glow worms (which are actually larvae, not true worms) are found in specific caves, and produce light through chemical reactions in their bodies. With large populations, they can make a dark cave look like a star-filled night sky.

The light emitted by glow worms serves several purposes, including attracting prey, communicating with potential mates, and deterring predators.

Iron-Armored Snails:

The scaly-foot snail, also known as the “iron snail” or Chrysomallon squamiferum, is an extraordinary deep-sea gastropod found near hydrothermal vents in the Indian Ocean. What sets this snail apart is its unique armor-like shell, which is composed of iron sulfide minerals. This remarkable adaptation provides protection from the acidic environment, as well as from the high temperature and pressure fluctuations.

Mind-Controlling Wasps:

If you are easily freaked out, I really suggest skipping this one.

Parasitic wasps, such as the jewel wasp (Ampulex compressa) and the emerald cockroach wasp (Ampulex compressa), are fascinating yet eerie creatures known for their extraordinary reproductive strategies. These wasps target specific host organisms, typically cockroaches or spiders, and inject them with venom containing neurotoxins. The venom temporarily paralyzes the host’s voluntary movement but leaves vital functions, such as breathing, intact. The wasp then leads the immobilized host to a predetermined location, where it lays its eggs inside or on the host’s body. As the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on the still-living host, eventually causing its death.

Lizards that Run On Water

Basilisk lizards are adapt swimmers and are known for their long webbed toes which create a large surface area to help them stay afloat. When threatened, they sprint across the water surface, which is called “water running.” While they can not maintain this for long distances, this impressive ability can still give them a quick escape.

Electric Eels:

Electric eels(not actually eels but a type of knifefish) possess a remarkable ability to generate electric shocks for both hunting and defense. These elongated freshwater fish have specialized organs called electrocytes that can produce electricity. By rapidly discharging these electrocytes, electric eels can generate powerful electric shocks, reaching up to 600 volts in some cases. They use these shocks to stun or kill prey, navigate murky waters, and deter predators.

Flamingos That Live in a Deadly Lake:

The common pink flamingo might not seem that interesting, but they too have an extraordinary ability. Flamingos at Lake Natron, located in Tanzania’s Rift Valley, inhabit one of the most extreme and inhospitable environments on Earth. Despite its harsh conditions, including high temperatures, alkaline waters, and volcanic activity, Lake Natron is home to vast populations of lesser and greater flamingos, which thrive in its alkaline-rich waters.

For context, the waters are deadly poisonous to most creatures, especially due to levels of cyanobacteria. If that wasn’t enough, the high temperatures and alkaline levels can easily burn human skin. If you were unlucky enough to die in the lake, the chemical properties of the water would cause calcification; petrifying your body.

Bugs that are also plants:

Elysia chlorotica, also known as the eastern emerald elysia or the green sea slug, can undergo a process called kleptoplasty, where it steals and incorporates functional chloroplasts from its algal prey into its own cells. These chloroplasts continue to photosynthesize within the slug’s tissues, providing it with a source of energy from sunlight. As a result, Elysia chlorotica is able to survive for extended periods without needing to feed, relying instead on the energy produced by the photosynthetic chloroplasts. This unique adaptation blurs the line between animal and plant.

The Fish That Walk On Land

Amphibious fish are a group of aquatic animals that have evolved physiological adaptations allowing them to survive both in water and on land. When their current waters become inhospitable, this group of fish can travel in search of a new home. While on land, they breathe air just as easily as they can underwater. My favorite by far is the Mudskipper. Their fins can also work as limbs, and they use them to help them slide, climb, and jump. Also, I can’t explain why, but I find them cute.

Natures Cleanup Crew

Vultures get a bad reputation for being scavenger birds, but few people realize how amazing they are at that job. Vultures possess a highly efficient digestive system that allows them to consume things that would kill or sicken other animals. For example, they have been known to eat carcasses contaminated with bacteria, viruses, and toxins. They are so effective at resisting pathogens that they can prevent the spread of diseases like rabies or tuberculous. So, they don’t just clean up corpses, but they also protect everyone.

And there you have it! Those are just some of the creatures with amazing abilities here on earth. Some others you might like are gliders (such as flying squirrels, sugar gliders, Draco lizards, and flying fish), armored animals (such as the pangolin and armadillo), as well as the horseshoe crab, which are described as “living fossils” due to dating back to prehistoric times.