Mysterious creatures found in the rice paddies
Mysterious creatures discovered in the rice paddies
Villagers carefully inspecting the mysterious creatures in their hands
An 84-year-old farmer couldn't identify their origin
Speculation
"Tail like a cricket, head like a catfish, body like an earthworm, legs on the belly somewhat resemble shrimp..."
What kind of creature is this? Recently, in a village of Guanghan City, a "strange-looking" "monster" appeared in the rice fields. Moreover, two kinds emerged at once.
The local villagers who discovered the "monsters" said these two "monsters" were one large and one small, with distinctive appearances. The key point is that even the elderly villagers who have worked in the fields all their lives don't know what they are.
On the afternoon of June 13, 30-year-old villager Tang Deqiong took pictures of the "monsters" in Wang Daijin's rice paddies and posted them online under her username "Tang Laoya" on Sichuan Online Tianfu Forum in a thread titled "Monsters in the Rice Paddies."
Large Monster "Profile"
Shape: Grayish-brown, two whisker-like tails; has four pairs of "whiskers," three eyes; both sides of the abdomen have fine legs resembling antennae. Summary: "Tail like a cricket, head like a catfish, body like an earthworm, legs on the belly somewhat resemble shrimp."
It has three eyes
Appearance
Rapidly moving through the rice paddies
The location where the "monsters" appeared is in Mashicun Village, Jinlun Town, Guanghan City.
At 2 p.m. on June 12, villagers Tang Yeshi and Zhong Maobin were walking along the muddy embankments when suddenly, Tang Yeshi noticed something moving rapidly beneath the murky water on the left side of the rice paddies, creating ripples of small splashes.
On the other side of the rice field was a gap, and water was continuously flowing out from it. A small pool had formed beside the rice field in the pepper patch.
In the shallow pool, one could clearly see several strange unidentified creatures wriggling. At the gap in the rice field, more of their kind were being continuously washed down by the flow.
Observation
Has four pairs of whiskers and three eyes
Zhong Maobin mustered his courage, reached into the pool, and scooped up two or three "monsters," bringing them close to examine carefully. The "monsters" were grayish-brown, with two long whisker-like tails. Excluding the tails, the bodies were about the size of an adult thumb. Their heads resembled those of catfish, having four pairs of whiskers of varying lengths, as well as a hard shell. Three eyes were arranged in a "pin" shape on top of the head. The body was much thinner than the shell on the head, segmented. The abdomen was dark red, densely covered with many fine legs resembling antennae on both sides.
"Tail like a cricket, head like a catfish, body like an earthworm, legs on the belly somewhat resemble shrimp..." As Tang Yeshi observed, he "summarized," but neither of them could figure out the identity of the "monsters."
Concern
Is this thing a pest?
The rice paddies where the "monsters" were discovered belonged to villager Wang Daijin. Soon, more villagers gathered to take a look.
Someone brought over an 84-year-old villager, Zhong Mingzhu, to the edge of the rice paddies to help identify the "monsters." But after looking, the old man shook his head repeatedly: "I don't know. I've lived so many years, but I've never seen such a thing."
The villagers gathered around the fields watching curiously while the "monsters" swam happily in the water. Seeing how active they were, some villagers began to worry: Are these pests? Will they eat the seedlings?
On June 22, when Tianfu Morning Post visited Mashicun, many villagers recalled their first impressions upon seeing the "monsters" and said they felt "fear."
Small Monster "Profile"
Shape: Soft body, completely transparent; the largest only over 1 cm long, with white whisker-like legs; deep black eyes, red forked tail, and white crown-like structures. Summary: Grows "very beautifully," and can "swim on its back."
It excels at swimming on its back
Appearance
The "monster" looks very much like a small shrimp
On the 21st, Zhong Maobin discovered another new "monster" in his own rice paddies. The previous discussion, which had just quieted down, became lively again.
The "monsters" in Zhong's rice paddies were much smaller than those found in Wang Daijin's fields. The largest was only over 1 cm long, clustering together in groups, swimming back and forth in the shallow water.
Upon catching them, the "monsters" felt soft. Some were light green, others orange-red, all completely transparent. Their bodies were bow-shaped, with a row of soft white whisker-like legs on each side. They had a pair of deep black round eyes on their heads. They looked somewhat like small shrimps but had a bright red forked tail and a cluster of soft white crown-like structures.
Observation
Energetic in water, skilled at swimming on its back
"These little ones look quite nice!" Villager Tang Deqiong laughed as she put the little creatures she caught into a mineral water bottle she carried with her.
Once in the water, the little "monsters" immediately became energetic. Their bowed "backs" faced downward, the white legs floated upward, and they started slowly paddling and swimming. "You wouldn't expect it, but they actually swim on their backs!" The villagers found it novel and chattered excitedly.
Many people said it was the first time they had seen such "backstroke" little creatures. It was then that Zhong Maobin gradually realized and told everyone, "This stuff appears every year in my fields. If it weren't for the monsters found in Wang Daijin's fields, I wouldn't have paid attention. It's strange that there aren't any in everyone else's fields."
Tianfu Morning Post reporter Xiao Yingpei intern Xiao Xiaobo photographer Zhao Xia
Reading Tip
These two "monsters," the larger one is officially called horseshoe (hóu) bug, nicknamed three-eyed dinosaur shrimp; the smaller one is officially called branchiopod, commonly known as fairy shrimp. To uncover the mystery of the origins of these two "monsters," check out page 07.
Netizen Speculations > > >
Netizen "My Name": It looks a bit scary. Resembles primitive aquatic organisms.
Netizen "Kucn": Alien lifeforms!
Netizen "New Moderator": This is the legendary Golden Armor Tyrannosaurus!
Netizen "I Can't Believe I Can't Register": Could it be that frogs had an affair with lobsters?
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