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This is an actual animal. It lives on our planet. Yes, the one where you live. The earth one.
It's called a star-nosed mole, and is remarkable for its ability to detect food and devour it in under a quarter of a second. Also its resemblance to a creature that stuck its face too close to an explosive device.
"Most predators take times ranging from minutes to seconds to handle their prey," said Ken Catania of Vanderbilt University. "The only things I've found that come even close are some species of fish."
The secret to the mole's impressive foraging ability is the 22 appendages that ring its nose. Nearly blind, the animal uses this sensitive, star-shaped flesh to feel around in its dark, underground environment.
To clock how fast a mole can identify an object as edible and gobble it down, Catania and Fiona Remple captured the feeding behavior with a high-speed video camera. Some of this amazing footage can be seen here.
More here.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go scream for a half hour.