Random Crazy Ways Animals Have A Sixth Sense (13 items)

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  (#8) Atlantic salmon

  • Salmo salar

  Salmon have puzzled scientists for years. Millions of them are able to pinpoint the exact rivers and streams they were born in to spawn. While how exactly salmon are able to travel thousands of miles to find their exact place of birth remains a scientific mystery, many believe they use ferromagnetic mineral magnetite deposits in their bodies to use the Earth’s magnetic field. 

  These deposits are attracted to magnetic forces and work as an internal GPS of sorts. Researchers theorize they imprint the magnetic field where they're born and are hardwired to return there thanks to the built-in navigation system. Additionally, salmon have an incredible sense of smell, which may allow them to smell the difference between their home streams and other streams.
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  (#7) Platypus

  • Ornithorhynchus anatinus

  One of the most enigmatic creatures in the natural world, the amphibious marsupial is one of the rare mammals that lays eggs. But that’s not the only thing that sets them apart. They have an electroreceptive sense within the skin of their duck-like bill that allows them to sense their prey when it comes near the platypus or its family. Scientists say platypuses can feel signals produced by another animals heartbeat or nerves. Their bill is also lined with mechanoreceptors which give them an ability to sense tiny stimuli, as the bill behaves much like a human’s fingertips.

  When you see a platypus hunt in the water, it shakes its head from side-to-side as a way to enhance the sense. It will sift its bill through the river’s sedimentary floor to sense its prey, picking up any vibrations in the water. 
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  (#12) Opossum

  • Didelphimorphia

  The North American opossum’s most common defense mechanism is to simply fake its own death, causing predators to lose interest. But what most people don't know is that the opossum has a few tricks up its sleve: opossums have one more incredible ability that allows them to literally cheat death.

  The opossum is able to utilize a protein in their body called LTNF, making them immune to the venom of snakes, bees, and scorpions. Once venom is detected in the opossum’s body, the protein actively seeks it out and works to neutralize it. Incredibly, the LTNF protein does not serve as a defense against venomous predators indigenous to that area, it can defend against venom found all over the world.
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  (#2) Comb Jellyfish Can Tell Direction Without Having Eyes

  Jellyfish may be some of the oldest creatures living on planet earth, and are some of the first multi-celled organisms. This ancient animal evolved without eyes, arms, or even a central nervous system. Despite this, they manage to travel thousands of miles around the ocean each year. Specialized balance receptors called statocysts allow comb jellies to orient themselves and stay upright among the ocean’s currents. To make it even more impressive, comb jellies rely on their statocysts to better coordinate their cilia to reel in prey.
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  (#1) Spiders Can Measure Their Prey And Predators Just By Sensing Them

  Do these eight-legged critters possess all the powers of Spider-Man? No. But they do possess some truly incredible abilities that allow many to sit atop their food chain. All spiders contain a mechanoreceptor organ called slit sensilla, which allows them to sense the smallest physical deformations or strains on their exoskeleton. Spiders also use these organs to judge the size, weight, and perhaps even the kind of prey that gets caught in their web.

  Their slit sensilla can be so discerning that spiders can tell the difference between prey, a predator, or even a strong gust of wind.
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  (#4) Dolphin

  • Delphinidae Delphis

  The dolphin's incredible intelligence could be considered a sixth sense on it’s own, as they are possibly the smartest animals on the planet after humans. But their sixth sense is even more impressive. Dolphins' use of echolocation allow these animals to pinpoint what is in the water with them, including friends and foes. Echolocation relies on producing high-pitched clicks and squeals that travel through the ocean and bounce of obstructions, returning to a receptor in the dolphin’s head called a “melon.”

  This ability, which can be compared to sonar, allows dolphins to see the world around them in a three-dimensional representation without the use of their eyes. This is especially important for river dolphins who live in dark and murky rivers, as opposed to the wide-open ocean.

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