These 34 creatures were recently discovered as new species. Take a look

Recent discoveries of creatures highlight the ongoing exploration and identification of new species, such as eight-eyed spiders and dragon-like lizards in India.

These events not only expand our understanding of biodiversity but also uncover unique adaptations, such as venomous spiders with “medically significant” venom in China and vibrant Amazonian crickets silent in their cave habitat.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

In the spiny, thicket habitats of southern Madagascar, small flies were caught in nets and discovered as new species.
In the spiny, thicket habitats of southern Madagascar, small flies were caught in nets and discovered as new species.

NO. 1: ‘GRACEFUL’ CREATURES — NAMED AFTER STILETTOS — DISCOVERED AS NEW SPECIES IN MADAGASCAR

On the island nation of Madagascar, a group of researchers set up a series of tent-like traps in the hope of catching insects as they flew through the rainforest. | Published April 23, 2024 | Read Full Story



NO. 2: ‘SMOOTH’ ‘MUD’ CREATURE PREGNANT WITH 12 BABIES IS CAUGHT IN NET. IT’S A NEW SPECIES

Another specimen was found slithering through a rubber plantation in the pouring rain, researchers said. | Published March 11, 2024 | Read Full Story

Two new species of spiders with “medically significant” venom were discovered in Yunnan Province, China, according to a new study.
Two new species of spiders with “medically significant” venom were discovered in Yunnan Province, China, according to a new study.

NO. 3: FANGED CREATURES WITH ‘MEDICALLY SIGNIFICANT’ VENOM FOUND IN CHINA. SEE THE NEW SPECIES

Venom from similar species could potentially be used to treat cancer, according to one study. | Published May 2, 2024 | Read Full Story

Scientists found an eight-eyed animal that chases its prey in leaves of Kerala and discovered a new species, a study said.
Scientists found an eight-eyed animal that chases its prey in leaves of Kerala and discovered a new species, a study said.

NO. 4: ‘STRANGE’ 8-EYED CREATURE — A SPEEDY HUNTER — FOUND IN INDIA. IT’S A NEW SPECIES

Researchers described the animal’s hunting method as surprising and notable. | Published January 5, 2024 | Read Full Story



NO. 5: ‘DWARF’-LIKE CREATURE — WITH ‘LONG’ FINGERS AND CLAWS — DISCOVERED AS NEW SPECIES

Photos show the “slender” animal found in a cave of India. | Published June 19, 2024 | Read Full Story



NO. 6: ‘LARGE’ CREATURE — WITH ‘LONG’ FINGERS AND RED EYES — DISCOVERED AS NEW SPECIES

Photos show the scaly animal found in a rocky forest of India. | Published June 17, 2024 | Read Full Story

Scientists found a “bizarre” animal with “spear-like” appendages in Australia and discovered a new species, a study said.
Scientists found a “bizarre” animal with “spear-like” appendages in Australia and discovered a new species, a study said.

NO. 7: ‘BIZARRE’ CREATURE — THAT HUNTS LIKE AN ‘ASSASSIN’ — DISCOVERED AS NEW SPECIES. SEE IT

Scientists found the “iconic” predator in the leaves of a park in Australia. | Published May 15, 2024 | Read Full Story

Researchers discovered a new golden species of skink in Papua New Guinea, according to a new study.
Researchers discovered a new golden species of skink in Papua New Guinea, according to a new study.

NO. 8: ‘GOLD-PATTERNED’ CREATURE SPOTTED BASKING IN SUN. SEE ‘SPECTACULAR’ NEW SPECIES

The “small” and “glossy” new mountain species was discovered in Papua New Guinea, researchers said in a new study. | Published January 26, 2024 | Read Full Story



NO. 9: ‘DRAGON’-LIKE CREATURE — WITH ‘STRONG’ CLAWS — FOUND NEAR BUS STOP. IT’S A NEW SPECIES

Photos show the scaly animal discovered in a forest of southern India. | Published January 26, 2024 | Read Full Story

Scientists found a 1-foot-long creature with “pointed” teeth under a log in southern India and discovered a new species, a study said.
Scientists found a 1-foot-long creature with “pointed” teeth under a log in southern India and discovered a new species, a study said.

NO. 10: 1-FOOT-LONG CREATURE WITH ‘POINTED’ TEETH FOUND LURKING UNDER LOG. IT’S A NEW SPECIES

Photos show the yellow-spotted animal discovered in southern India. | Published July 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aspen Pflughoeft

Scientists found a multicolored animal with spiky skin perched on plants in Ecuador and discovered a new species, a study said.
Scientists found a multicolored animal with spiky skin perched on plants in Ecuador and discovered a new species, a study said.

NO. 11: COLORFUL, SPIKY CREATURE FOUND PERCHED ON PLANTS IN ECUADOR. IT’S A NEW SPECIES

Scientists discovered the multicolored animal living in a mountain forest, a study said. | Published May 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aspen Pflughoeft

Deep in a cave in the Amazon Rainforest (not pictured), a new species of insect lives its life in silence.
Deep in a cave in the Amazon Rainforest (not pictured), a new species of insect lives its life in silence.

NO. 12: CAVE-DWELLING CREATURE — FOUND IN AMAZON — CAN’T MAKE A SOUND. SEE ‘UNIQUE’ NEW SPECIES

Researchers may have caught adaptation in action. | Published April 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by Irene Wright

Scientists found a spiky animal lurking in cliffs and forest of Lao Cai Province and discovered a new species, a study said.
Scientists found a spiky animal lurking in cliffs and forest of Lao Cai Province and discovered a new species, a study said.

NO. 13: SPIKY CREATURE — WITH ‘BENT’ TOES — FOUND IN CLIFFS OF VIETNAM. IT’S A NEW SPECIES

Researchers discovered the scaly animal on cliffs and in a nearby forest. | Published February 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aspen Pflughoeft

Scientists found a “large” creature with silver-blue spikes in a forest of India and discovered a new species, a study said.
Scientists found a “large” creature with silver-blue spikes in a forest of India and discovered a new species, a study said.

NO. 14: ‘LARGE’ FOREST CREATURE — WITH SILVER-BLUE SPIKES — DISCOVERED AS NEW SPECIES. SEE IT

Scientists found the “long”-fingered animal on rocks in a forest of India. | Published June 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aspen Pflughoeft



NO. 15: ‘GHOSTLY’ CREATURE — NAMED AFTER HARRY POTTER VILLAIN — DISCOVERED UNDERGROUND. SEE IT

The blind insect lives in the “depths of darkness” underneath the desert of Western Australia, researchers said. | Published April 15, 2024 | Read Full Story by Irene Wright

In a mangrove forest on the coast of Brazil, a new species was found clinging to the tangled roots.
In a mangrove forest on the coast of Brazil, a new species was found clinging to the tangled roots.

NO. 16: ‘THIN’ AND ‘FRAGILE’ CREATURE FOUND CLINGING TO MANGROVES IN BRAZIL. SEE NEW SPECIES

The species is less than a quarter inch long and digs into the muddy sand, researchers said. | Published May 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Irene Wright

Scientists found a winged animal with a “metallic” body in a forest of Yunnan and discovered a new species, a study said.
Scientists found a winged animal with a “metallic” body in a forest of Yunnan and discovered a new species, a study said.

NO. 17: ‘RARE’ WINGED CREATURE — WITH ‘MAGICAL RED’ BODY — DISCOVERED AS NEW SPECIES IN CHINA

The hard-to-find animal has the “metallic” coloring of a jewel. Take a look. | Published February 15, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aspen Pflughoeft

In the clear water of Totem Pole Cave (not pictured), “giant” creatures swim around, waiting to be discovered.
In the clear water of Totem Pole Cave (not pictured), “giant” creatures swim around, waiting to be discovered.

NO. 18: ‘GIANT’ CAVE CREATURE — WITH TEETH AND CLAWS — FOUND IN AUSTRALIA. SEE THE NEW SPECIES

The translucent species was found in clear pools of water. | Published May 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Irene Wright

Scientists found a pointy creature with a “ribbed” shell stuck to a bush in Markam County and discovered a new species, a study said.
Scientists found a pointy creature with a “ribbed” shell stuck to a bush in Markam County and discovered a new species, a study said.

NO. 19: POINTY CREATURE WITH ‘RIBBED’ SHELL FOUND STUCK ON BRANCH IN TIBET. IT’S A NEW SPECIES

Photos show the brown and white animal discovered in a remote river valley. | Published September 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aspen Pflughoeft



NO. 20: 2-FOOT-LONG CREATURE — WITH BLUE LIPS AND YELLOW EYES — DISCOVERED AS NEW SPECIES

Photos show the brightly colored animal found in tree hollows and coastal forests of Vietnam. | Published July 2, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aspen Pflughoeft



NO. 21: ‘DRAGON’-LIKE SEA CREATURE PULLED FROM DEPTHS OFF NEW ZEALAND. IT’S A NEW SPECIES

The deep-sea animal has fangs and the ability to glow, researchers said. | Published June 2, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aspen Pflughoeft



NO. 22: DEEP-SEA CREATURES — WITH THEIR OWN LURE — DISCOVERED AS NEW SPECIES IN ASIA. SEE THEM

Their “flat” bodies allow them to blend in with the sea floor and wait for prey, researchers said. | Published July 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Irene Wright



NO. 23: POND CREATURE — WITH ‘HEART-SHAPED’ MARK — FOUND AT PARK IN CHINA. IT’S A NEW SPECIES

Photos show the “densely scaled” animal. | Published June 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aspen Pflughoeft



NO. 24: ‘PECULIAR’ 8-LEGGED CREATURE FOUND HIDING AT RESORT IN INDIA. IT’S A NEW SPECIES

The brown animal was “clothed with fine pale hairs,” researchers said. | Published May 22, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aspen Pflughoeft



NO. 25: ‘IRIDESCENT’ BUTTERFLIES SEEN DOING ‘AERIAL CONTESTS’ ARE A NEW SPECIES. CHECK THEM OUT

The colorful new species was discovered at a park in Australia. | Published June 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aspen Pflughoeft

Scientists on a research vessel in the Atlantic Ocean found an orange sea creature with five arms and discovered a new species, a study said.
Scientists on a research vessel in the Atlantic Ocean found an orange sea creature with five arms and discovered a new species, a study said.

NO. 26: BUMPY ORANGE CREATURE — WITH FIVE ARMS — FOUND ON OCEAN FLOOR. IT’S A NEW SPECIES

The deep-sea animal had “distinctive triangular arms,” a study said. | Published April 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aspen Pflughoeft



NO. 27: ‘CRYPTIC’ CREATURE — ABLE TO ALTER ITS COLORING — FOUND IN FOREST. IT’S A NEW SPECIES

Scientists heard the “inconspicuous” animal calling in a forest of Peru. | Published May 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aspen Pflughoeft



NO. 28: ‘MASSIVE’ SEA CREATURE WITH VIVID COLORING FOUND NEAR JAPAN COAST. IT’S A NEW SPECIES

From yellow to red to green, photos show the animal’s “highly variable” color. | Published July 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aspen Pflughoeft

Scientists found a stinging creature in the rock wall of graveyard in Michoacán and discovered a new species, a study said.
Scientists found a stinging creature in the rock wall of graveyard in Michoacán and discovered a new species, a study said.

NO. 29: GLOWING CREATURE FOUND LURKING IN GRAVEYARD OF MEXICO AT NIGHT. IT’S A NEW SPECIES

Photos show the stinging creature discovered at the cemetery. | Published July 3, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aspen Pflughoeft

Scientists found an “alien-faced” animal on a mountain in Tanzania and discovered a new species, a study said. Photo shows a representative mountain.
Scientists found an “alien-faced” animal on a mountain in Tanzania and discovered a new species, a study said. Photo shows a representative mountain.

NO. 30: ‘ALIEN-FACED’ CREATURE — WITH ‘ABOUT 200 LEGS’ — DISCOVERED AS NEW SPECIES IN TANZANIA

Researchers found the yellow animal living on a mountain. Take a look. | Published February 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aspen Pflughoeft

In underwater burrows, species live together in harmony and make some of the loudest sounds in the ocean.
In underwater burrows, species live together in harmony and make some of the loudest sounds in the ocean.

NO. 31: TRANSLUCENT CREATURES — WITH NEON EGGS — FOUND ON SEA FLOOR. SEE VIBRANT NEW SPECIES

The animals are found along the Caribbean coast and the east coast of Florida, researchers said. | Published June 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Irene Wright



NO. 32: 5-FOOT PREDATOR — WITH ‘LARGE’ EYES — FOUND NEAR ROAD IN TRINIDAD. IT’S A NEW SPECIES

The scaly green animal was also found sleeping in the island’s treetops. | Published May 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aspen Pflughoeft

Scientists identified a tiny new species of sea star from the Pacific coast of Canada, Mexico and Costa Rica, according to a new species.
Scientists identified a tiny new species of sea star from the Pacific coast of Canada, Mexico and Costa Rica, according to a new species.

NO. 33: ‘FUNKY’ FLOWER-LIKE SEA CREATURE — WITH BOTH TESTES AND OVARIES — IS A NEW SPECIES

Researchers discovered the mouthless “sea daisy” off the Pacific coast of Canada, Mexico and Costa Rica. | Published January 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Moira Ritter



NO. 34: SPIKY FOREST CREATURE — ‘A MINIATURE DRAGON’ — FOUND IN CHINA. IT’S A NEW SPECIES

The scaly animal was discovered hiding in a rocky crevice. Take a look. | Published July 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aspen Pflughoeft

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.

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