Scientists Unearthed an Unknown Creature with 24 Eyes While Checking the Quality of the Water in a Nature Reserve

[milestogo]

In the quiet wetlands of Hong Kong, researchers stumbled upon a creature so bizarre it seems pulled from the pages of science fiction. With an otherworldly design—including clusters of eyes and unusual abilities—this aquatic predator has left scientists scratching their heads. In a jaw-dropping twist straight out of a sci-fi blockbuster, scientists have stumbled upon a creature so bizarre it defies everything we thought we knew about nature. A venomous jellyfish with 24 eyes was discovered in an unexpected location—an unassuming pond in the Mai Po Nature Reserve, right in the heart of Hong Kong.

In 2024, while conducting water quality tests in the sprawling wetlands of Mai Po, researchers netted a creature that seemed more at home in a sci-fi thriller than Earth’s tranquil waters. This alien-like being turned out to be a new species of box jellyfish, or cubozoa—a type of jellyfish already infamous for their venomous sting.

The scientists were left slack-jawed as they examined this newcomer. Named Tripedalia maipoensis, it boasts features unlike any other jellyfish:
- 24 eyes arranged in clusters of six.
- Tentacles reaching 15 centimeters with pedal-shaped ends.
- A venom potent enough to make even the bravest swimmers think twice.

If you thought jellyfish were just blobs drifting lazily through the water, think again. Tripedalia maipoensis has taken evolution to the next level. Its eyes are a marvel of biology—some specialized for detecting light, while others capture detailed images. This complex visual system gives it an unparalleled view of its surroundings, making it the stealthy predator nightmares are made of. Its tentacles, ending in unique paddle-like structures, help it zoom through the water at an astonishing 7 km/h. This speed demon doesn’t rely on ocean currents like its cousins—it propels itself with precise, powerful movements.

https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/01/scientists-unearthed-an-unknown-creature-with-24-eyes-while-checking-the-quality-of-the-water-in-a-nature-reserve/

[magicarpet]

1. My word,... it must cost this thing a fortunecto upgrade an eyeglasses new frame and lense prescription.

[stopdiggin]

2. and this picture quite obviously NOT representing the actual ..... - - (nt)-

[SWBTATTReg]

3. Grandma!! Ha ha heh. On a serious note, WOW! Just wow. The diversity of the Earth's biosphere is just literally

out of this world! Goes to show you that we, as human beings, don't know by far everything that's on our own planet.

[milestogo]

4. And the weirdest thing:

This is the first box jellyfish species ever found in Hong Kong, and its genetic profile revealed unexpected cousins living as far away as Australia, Florida, and Jamaica.

How does that happen?

[SWBTATTReg]

5. Yes, you're right...and Hong Kong is one of the most populated areas in the world, how does such a diverse

biomass escape notice for so long? Amazing, absolutely amazing. The many eyes on this newly found critter makes you wonder why does it have so many eyes, what kind of prey did it feed on (if it did), perhaps it had some sort of predator that it needed all of the eyes to make sure it didn't become a victim. The entire biosphere of this creature must be fascinating indeed. Spiders are the only other critter I can think of right off the top of my head that have so many eyes, and I suspect that they (the spiders) have the multiple eyes to keep a diligent watch on its web and captured prey.

[milestogo]

7. And it was found by accident

Imagine if you saw one in the water and tried to tell someone about it... they would think you were high or something.

[SWBTATTReg]

10. Really! And it really does look like a creature from another world, but it's a resident of our own planet!

Just wow, I am amazed at our planet's amazing diversity, and then we have djt...depressing, eh?

[LearnedHand]

6. FSM, clearly

Ramen!

[slightlv]

11. I was thinking closer to

Cthulhu, but the Flying Spaghetti Monster was my second thought!

[cayugafalls]

8. Cool pic, but it is not really close to reality imo

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripedalia

[milestogo]

9. It is one of three species

Tripedalia is a genus within the family Tripedaliidae that is part of the box jellyfish, also known as the Cubozoa. There are only three known species within Tripedalia: T. cystophora, T. binata[1] and T. maipoensis.[2] The latter is the one in the photo and its much larger.