Evolution is a powerful force that causes animals to adapt and simplify down to the purest and most efficient forms they can take. Sometimes, though, it just throws stuff at the wall to see what sticks. We have some weird-looking animals around nowadays like the platypus or the goblin shark, but nothing can hold a candle to the strangeness that was swimming around Earth’s oceans millions of years ago.

And not only are these prehistoric animals completely freaky to look at, a lot of them could have swallowed you whole. Imagine how humiliating it would be to be eaten by something with five eyes and buck teeth. Take a look at these pics and be glad we live in a time where nature has reined it in a little bit.