Marvel superheroes are known for their amazing abilities, such as flying, shooting lasers, or controlling minds.
But did you know that there are real animals in nature that have superpowers of their own? Some of these animals can do things that even the most powerful Marvel characters can't.
Here are 10 creatures with real superpowers that put Marvel to shame.
Cuttlefish
LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images
The camouflaging cuttlefish, or Sepia officinalis, is a relative of the octopus and the squid. It can change its color, shape, and texture to blend in with its surroundings.
It can do this by controlling millions of tiny skin cells called chromatophores, which act like pixels on a screen.
It can also use its muscles to create bumps, ridges, or spikes on its skin, mimicking the texture of rocks, plants, or sand.
The cuttlefish uses its camouflage to hide from predators, hunt for prey, or communicate with other cuttlefish.
The cuttlefish is like a chameleon, and it can fool any Marvel character that relies on vision
Immortal jellyfish
The immortal jellyfish, or Turritopsis dohrnii, is a tiny creature that can live forever. How? By reversing its aging process and turning back into a baby whenever it wants.
This process is called transdifferentiation, and it allows the jellyfish to transform its cells into different types.
For example, it can turn its muscle cells into nerve cells, or its skin cells into digestive cells. This way, it can avoid death by disease, injury, or old age. The only way to kill it is by eating it or destroying it completely.
Electric eel
The electric eel, or Electrophorus electricus, is a fish that can generate and discharge electricity. It can produce up to 860 volts of electric shock, enough to stun or kill its prey or predators.
It can also use its electricity to sense its surroundings, communicate with other eels, and control its muscles. The electric eel is like a living battery, and it can even recharge itself by breathing air.
The closest Marvel character to the electric eel is Electro, but he needs external sources of electricity to power his abilities.
Mimic octopus
The mimic octopus, or Thaumoctopus mimicus, is a master of disguise. It can change its shape, color, texture, and behavior to imitate other animals.
It can mimic more than 15 different species, such as sea snakes, lionfish, stingrays, crabs, and even humans. It can also create illusions by moving its arms in different ways.
The mimic octopus uses its camouflage to hide from predators, hunt for prey, or attract mates. The mimic octopus is like a shape-shifter, and it can outsmart any Marvel character that relies on sight.
The mantis shrimp,is a colorful crustacean that has super vision and super strength. It can see 12 primary colors, compared to humans who can only see three.
It can also see ultraviolet, infrared, and polarized light, as well as depth and movement. It can use its eyes to detect prey, predators, and mates, as well as to communicate with other mantis shrimps.
The mantis shrimp also has powerful claws that can strike with the force of a bullet, breaking through shells, glass, and even human skin.
The mantis shrimp is like a super soldier, and it can beat any Marvel character that relies on brute force.
Tardigrade
The tardigrade, or water bear, is a microscopic animal that can survive almost anything. It can withstand extreme temperatures, pressures, radiations, vacuums, and chemicals. It can also go without food, water, or oxygen for years.
It can do this by entering a state of suspended animation, where it shrinks and curls up into a ball. In this state, it reduces its metabolism and protects its DNA from damage.
The tardigrade is like a super survivor, and it can endure any Marvel character that tries to kill it.
Bombardier beetle
The bombardier beetle, or Carabidae, is a small insect that can shoot boiling hot chemicals from its abdomen.
It can do this by mixing two substances, hydroquinone and hydrogen peroxide, in a special chamber. When these substances react, they produce heat, gas, and water.
The beetle then releases the mixture through a nozzle, creating a loud popping sound and a jet of liquid that can reach up to 100°C.
The beetle uses this weapon to defend itself from predators, such as frogs, spiders, and birds. The bombardier beetle is like a flamethrower, and it can burn any Marvel character that gets too close.
Axolotl
The axolotl, or Ambystoma mexicanum, is a salamander that can regenerate almost any part of its body. It can regrow its limbs, tail, spinal cord, heart, lungs, eyes, and even brain.
It can do this by activating stem cells, which are cells that can turn into any type of cell. It can also prevent scarring and infection, and restore the function and appearance of the regenerated part.
The axolotl uses this ability to heal from injuries, diseases, or predators. The axolotl is like a super healer, and it can recover from any Marvel character that injures it.
Cuttlefish
The camouflaging cuttlefish, or Sepia officinalis, is a relative of the octopus and the squid. It can change its color, shape, and texture to blend in with its surroundings.
It can do this by controlling millions of tiny skin cells called chromatophores, which act like pixels on a screen.
It can also use its muscles to create bumps, ridges, or spikes on its skin, mimicking the texture of rocks, plants, or sand.
The cuttlefish uses its camouflage to hide from predators, hunt for prey, or communicate with other cuttlefish.
The cuttlefish is like a chameleon, and it can fool any Marvel character that relies on vision
