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Newly-discovered bug boasts 6 penises, 200 poison glands & 414 legs (VIDEO) Newly-discovered bug boasts 4 penises, 200 poison glands & 414 legs (VIDEO)
(35 minutes later)
Explorers in California have discovered a new species of creepy crawly boasting 200 poison glands, four penises and 414 legs.Explorers in California have discovered a new species of creepy crawly boasting 200 poison glands, four penises and 414 legs.
The ‘illacme tobini’ is a type of millipede and was found living in marble caves in Sequoia National Park high in the Sierra Nevada mountains.The ‘illacme tobini’ is a type of millipede and was found living in marble caves in Sequoia National Park high in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Despite what the name suggests, millipedes do not possess 1,000 legs – in fact the world’s leggiest creature, illacme plenipes, has just the 750. First seen in 1928, it can be found under sandstone boulders near Silicon Valley.Despite what the name suggests, millipedes do not possess 1,000 legs – in fact the world’s leggiest creature, illacme plenipes, has just the 750. First seen in 1928, it can be found under sandstone boulders near Silicon Valley.
“I never would have expected that a second species of the leggiest animal on the planet would be discovered in a cave 150 miles away," said Assistant Professor in the Entomology Department at Virginia Tech Paul Marek, an expert in all things millipedes.“I never would have expected that a second species of the leggiest animal on the planet would be discovered in a cave 150 miles away," said Assistant Professor in the Entomology Department at Virginia Tech Paul Marek, an expert in all things millipedes.
Illacme tobini, like its leggier cousin, can produce silk but it’s the ability to transform four of its legs into penises which will impress many. Glands which squirt a chemical poison are designed to scare off predators.Illacme tobini, like its leggier cousin, can produce silk but it’s the ability to transform four of its legs into penises which will impress many. Glands which squirt a chemical poison are designed to scare off predators.
The Illacme tobini was discovered by cave biologist Dr Jean Krejca, who has also documented new species of spiders, pseudoscorpions and flies.The Illacme tobini was discovered by cave biologist Dr Jean Krejca, who has also documented new species of spiders, pseudoscorpions and flies.
According to a research paper on the new discovery published in ZooKeys journal, “due to the sensitivity of its cave habitat, locality details are withheld” - so there’s no chance for you to collect one of these critters to keep just yet.According to a research paper on the new discovery published in ZooKeys journal, “due to the sensitivity of its cave habitat, locality details are withheld” - so there’s no chance for you to collect one of these critters to keep just yet.