20 strange new species discovered by scientists over the last 20 years

 Here's a list of 20 strange new species discovered by scientists over the last 20 years:

1. Psychedelic Frogfish (Histiophryne psychedelica)

• Discovered: 2009
• Location: Ambon Island, Indonesia
• Description: A vividly colored fish with a unique, swirling pattern on its body that resembles a psychedelic painting.
  
  
  

2. T. Rex Leech (Tyrannobdella rex)

• Discovered: 2010
• Location: Amazon Rainforest, Peru
• Description: A leech with unusually large teeth, named after the fearsome dinosaur.
  
  
  

3. Spongiforma squarepantsii

• Discovered: 2011
• Location: Borneo, Malaysia
• Description: A sponge-like fungus named after the cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants due to its resemblance.
  
  
  

4. Walking Shark (Hemiscyllium halmahera)

• Discovered: 2013
• Location: Halmahera, Indonesia
• Description: A species of shark that "walks" along the ocean floor using its fins.
  
  
  

5. Lilliputian Violet (Viola lilliputana)

• Discovered: 2012
• Location: Peruvian Andes
• Description: One of the smallest violets in the world, standing just over a centimeter tall.
  
  
  

6. Bone-house Wasp (Deuteragenia ossarium)

• Discovered: 2014
• Location: Southeastern China
• Description: A wasp species that fills its nest with dead ants to deter predators.
  
  
  

7. Giant Amoeba (Gromia sphaerica)

• Discovered: 2010
• Location: Puerto Rico, Caribbean
• Description: A massive single-celled organism, roughly 4 centimeters in diameter, that moves along the ocean floor.
  
  
  

8. Dragon’s Blood Tree (Dracaena cinnabari)

• Discovered: 2000s
• Location: Socotra Island, Yemen
• Description: A tree with an umbrella-like shape that produces a red resin, historically referred to as “dragon’s blood.”
  
  
  

9. Lesula Monkey (Cercopithecus lomamiensis)

• Discovered: 2007 (Announced in 2012)
• Location: Democratic Republic of Congo
• Description: A new species of monkey with human-like eyes and a distinctive coloration.
  
  
  

10. Tully's Wood Frog (Leptobrachium leucops)

• Discovered: 2014
• Location: Sulawesi, Indonesia
• Description: A species of frog with white, ghostly eyes and a mournful call.
  
  
  

11. Shocking Pink Dragon Millipede (Desmoxytes purpurosea)

• Discovered: 2007
• Location: Thailand
• Description: A bright pink millipede that secretes cyanide as a defense mechanism.
  
  
  

12. Yeti Crab (Kiwa hirsuta)

• Discovered: 2005
• Location: South Pacific Ocean
• Description: A crab with furry claws, reminiscent of the mythical Yeti.
  
  
  

13. Ruby Seadragon (Phyllopteryx dewysea)

• Discovered: 2015
• Location: Western Australia
• Description: A bright red species of seadragon, related to the leafy and weedy seadragons.
  
  
  

14. Wallace's Giant Bee (Megachile pluto)

• Rediscovered: 2019 (Originally discovered in 1858 but thought to be extinct)
• Location: North Moluccas, Indonesia
• Description: The world's largest bee, with a wingspan of over 6 centimeters.
  
  
  

15. Sneezing Monkey (Rhinopithecus strykeri)

• Discovered: 2010
• Location: Myanmar
• Description: A monkey species with an upturned nose that sneezes when it rains.
  
  
  

16. Olinguito (Bassaricyon neblina)

• Discovered: 2013
• Location: Cloud forests of Ecuador and Colombia
• Description: The first new carnivorous mammal species discovered in the Americas in 35 years, resembling a small, tree-dwelling raccoon.
  
  
  

17. Titan Beetle (Titanus giganteus)

• Discovered: Rediscovered in 2008
• Location: Amazon Rainforest
• Description: One of the largest beetles in the world, growing up to 17 centimeters in length.
  
  
  

18. Elysia chlorotica (Solar-powered Sea Slug)

• Discovered: Early 2000s
• Location: Atlantic coast of the USA
• Description: A sea slug that can photosynthesize like a plant by incorporating algae into its body.
  
  
  

19. Tapanuli Orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis)

• Discovered: 2017
• Location: Sumatra, Indonesia
• Description: A new species of orangutan with a distinct genetic makeup, making it the rarest great ape in the world.
  
  
  

20. Zombie Worm (Osedax)

• Discovered: 2004
• Location: Deep-sea environments
• Description: A worm species that consumes the bones of dead whales on the ocean floor, secreting acid to break down the bone material.

These discoveries highlight the incredible diversity and adaptability of life on Earth, as well as the continued importance of exploration and research in understanding our planet's ecosystems.