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From glass frogs to jellyfish: 5 transparent animals that wow

There are several unique animals in the wild that you probably never heard of. Their transparency serves as a survival mechanism, protecting them from predators. Here are 5 animals that are so transparent you can see through their bodies. 1. Glass Frog Glass frogs, scientifically named “Centrolenidae," are tiny and quite magical creatures that inhabit…
A glasswing butterfly perching on a leaf

There are several unique animals in the wild that you probably never heard of. Their transparency serves as a survival mechanism, protecting them from predators.

Here are 5 animals that are so transparent you can see through their bodies.

1. Glass Frog

A green glass frog on a piece of wood.

Glass frogs, scientifically named “Centrolenidae,” are tiny and quite magical creatures that inhabit the rainforests of Central and South America. They have a transparent and translucent body, making their internal organs like the heart, liver, and intestines visible. To protect themselves from predators when they sleep, glass frogs have the ability to make themselves 60% more transparent.

2. Barreleye Fish

A barreleye fish. Photo credit: Freepik. 

The barreleye, also known as the spookfish, is found in tropical to temperate waters, including the Pacific Ocean. It is a small deep-sea fish with a dome-shaped transparent head that contains glowing green eyes, which can be seen through its transparent forehead. Their eyes help them spot prey from above and rotate forward, giving them a wide field of vision.

READ ALSO:  5 reptiles going into extinction

3. Glasswing Butterfly

A glasswing buttterfly. Photo credit from pexels by Cassius Cardoso

The glasswing butterfly, also known as the Great Oto, is famous for its transparent wings, which help it camouflage effectively. Its wings can span up to six cm and are almost entirely see-through. In Spanish, it is called “Espejitos,” meaning little mirrors. The glass-like wings help it hide from predators rather than scare them away. The wings have dark-coloured borders, which make them slightly visible; without these, the butterfly would be nearly invisible to the human eye.

4. Moon Jellyfish

Moon jellyfish. Photo from pexels by Timo Volz

The moon jellyfish, scientifically known as Aurelia aurita, is a common jellyfish, easily recognized by its horseshoe-shaped gonads, which are visible through the top of their bell, adding to their ghostly appearance. Their translucent bodies help them avoid predators and make them incredibly fascinating to observe.

These jellyfish have a lifespan of about six months, typically dying after reproducing for several months. The species gets its name for the way its pale bell resembles a full moon.

5. Glass Octopus

Glass octopus. Photo credit: Freekpik

The glass octopus is another transparent animal, mostly found in the deep ocean where sunlight cannot penetrate. Its nearly transparent body reveals its eyes, digestive tract, and optic nerve. The glass octopus has three upper arms of equal length. Scientifically known as Vitreledonella richardi, it uses its transparency and unique eye structure to camouflage in its deep-sea habitat.

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