Strange Creatures

When it comes to survival, could nature's big winners be the most distinct-looking creatures? Take the terrifying lamprey, who sucks blood out of its prey, or the bizarre wolf eel, who isn't an eel at all. Learn how these species, and more, use their unique appearances to come out on top.

Get up close and personal with a beetle that convincingly plays dead, a snail that eats everything in its path, and other tiny, crawly species with extraordinary survival skills.

Are they guinea pigs, beavers, or something else entirely? Capybaras, the world's largest rodents, seem to embody the features of several different animals at once, as do warthogs, anteaters, and more. Delve into the world of fascinating genetic hybrids and learn why they display such particular physical traits.

Different animals resort to camouflage for different reasons. Some, like the stick insect, mimic their environment to avoid predators, while others, such as the lionfish, use their disguises to ambush prey. Take a blink-and-you'll-miss-it look at some of nature's most gifted deceivers.

Different animals resort to camouflage for different reasons. Some, like the stick insect, mimic their environment to avoid predators, while others, such as the lionfish, use their disguises to ambush prey. Take a blink-and-you'll-miss-it look at some of nature's most gifted deceivers.

When evolution bestows its gifts, it sometimes does so in ways that defy belief. From the coconut octopus's mind-blowing mastery of camouflage to the sunburst beetle's genius use of makeshift diving equipment, witness a stunning showcase of nature's evolutionary superpowers.