Catfish are known for their barbels (aka their whiskers). These are important parts of their bodies that help them detect food, and catfish are able to regrow them.
Tadpoles lose their tails when they develop into frogs, but even if they do so before they reach that state, they can regrow them.
All seas slugs need to regenerate their entire body is their head. But it gets even more weird: sea slugs can occasionally detach their heads from their bodies and the body on its own can actually survive for months!
Not only are octopus very intelligent animals, they also have the capacity to regrow their tentacles. They can do so in about 100 days.
Newts can regenerate a number of body parts, including their spinal cords, hearts, and eyes.
Native to East Africa, this rodent is able to shed its skin if it needs to, for instance to escape a predator. The mouse will then regrow its skin with fur.
Thirty days is how long it takes for a gecko to regrow its tail. They can only regrow it once though.
Jellyfish have amazing regenerative properties. This is particularly true for Turritopsis dohrnii, also known as the "immortal jellyfish." When they’re injured or starving, these jellyfish can revert themselves to a younger state.
Hydras regenerate all their cells every 20 days, making them practically ageless. Not only that, but they are able to split their two heads into clones of the original organism.
Not only can these cool animals change colors, but they are also able to regrow their limbs and tails. All thanks to pluripotent stem cells.
Like with other animals with exoskeletons, spiders can regrow any lost limbs during the molting process. They are usually smaller and weaker that the original ones though.
Cockroaches can also regrow their limbs. In fact, they can even survive without a head for days! Though they won't be able to regrow it.
These creatures can regrow a whole body from a body fragment. Flatworms have these pluripotent stem cells that allow them to multiply like this. Fun fact: humans also have these cells, but only as embryos. We lose them before birth.
All it takes is a few weeks for these sea snails to regrow their eyes. And they manage to produce beautiful pearls, too.
These arthropods can regrow their claws. Fun fact: that are over 500 species of crayfish, living in the most varied of conditions.
These can actually drop their tail if they feel threatened by a predator, though they can only regrow them once in a lifetime.
This river fish has the capacity to regenerate heart tissue. Unlike river-dwelling tetras, those that live in caves cannot do so.
These fish are able to regenerate heart tissue, even when parts of the ventricle are amputated.
Sources: (The Cold Wire) (Grunge)
Sea squirts, or tunicates, don't even need body fragments to regrow a body. All they need is blood vessel fragments. And what's even cooler is that they can do so in a week!
These amazing animals can actually self-amputate their tails when they feel threatened. It's a process called autotomy. Their tails can then grow back.
Not only can these adorable creatures regrow their limbs, but they also have the capacity to regrow their spinal cords and organs, including the heart.
Deer are quite a unique entry on this list, because they are mammals. And while they won't regrow a leg, they do have the capacity to regrow their antlers.
Some starfish are able to regrow new bodies from severed limbs. This is because they have all their vital organs in their arms. Also, they lack blood, which probably helps.
These simple sea creatures have the amazing advantage of being able to regrow organs. They have these special cells called morula cells that allow them to repair and regrow any damaged tissue.
While these large reptiles won't be able to regrow bone or skeletal muscle, they can regrow cartilage, connective tissue, and skin. Scientists even discovered that young gators were able to regrow their tails up to 23 cm (9 in).
Praying mantis can regrow a leg if they lose one during their molt. Though the caveat is that regeneration stops at one point, so when they reach adulthood they'll stop shedding their skin.
These amphibians have the capacity to regenerate a lost limb. Once trauma occurs, their cells are reprogramed by their genomes to replace the missing limb.
Nature is truly amazing. Sure, if we break a nail, it will grow back, but if we lose a limb, that's pretty much it. While our cells regenerate, we do not have the capacity to fully regrow body parts, like many animals do. Some of these incredible creatures have super impressive regenerative capabilities.
Curious? Click through the following gallery and get to know them!
Animals that can regrow body parts
And have other regenerative qualities
LIFESTYLE Nature
Nature is truly amazing. Sure, if we break a nail, it will grow back, but if we lose a limb, that's pretty much it. While our cells regenerate, we do not have the capacity to fully regrow body parts, like many animals do. Some of these incredible creatures have super impressive regenerative capabilities.
Curious? Click through the following gallery and get to know them!