Anomalocaris is considered to be the first superpredator to ever appear on Earth. Being the top predator of the Cambrian, very few other creatures would dare attempt to attack it. Their strange appendages on the front of their heads were used to grab food off of the seabed and crush their shells before dragging it to their mouth.

Basic info

Meaning of Name: Anomalocaris means "unusual shrimp".

Time of existence: Anomalocaris existed during the late Cambrian, about 500 million years ago.

Diet: Anomalocaris was a carnivore. They primarily fed on the other arthropods that lived alongside them, specifically the trilobites, strange horseshoe crab-like animals that existed throughout the first few periods of Earth's history. Anomalocaris was also most likely a predator to the early fish of the Cambrian.

Threats: Although Anomalocaris was the top predator of its time, it was not invincible. While very few animals were able to attack it, its armor could be split during fights with other Anomalocaris, leaving it vulnerable to predation by early fish like Haikouicthys.

Size: Anomalocaris could grow anywhere from 1 meter (3.3 feet) to 2 meters (6.6 feet). They were considered the biggest animals in the Cambrian seas.

An Anomalocaris attacking a trilobite

Attributes: Anomalocaris had many different attributes that allowed it to be the top predator of its time. One of their most important evolutionary attributes was their eyes, which allowed it to see its prey below them. Their other most important attribute is their large appendages on the front of their heads. They were used to grab their prey off the sea floor, and often used during duels.

Anomalocaris' eye

Appearances in the Walking With... series

Walking with Monsters

Anomalocaris appears in the opening titles of the series, where it swims towards the camera.

Anomalocaris in the opening of the show

Episode 1-Water Dwellers

Anomalocaris briefly appears in the intro of the episode, where two are seen fighting. Anomalocaris plays a major role in the first segment of the episode, where it is first seen attacking and devouring a trilobite. We then are shown its primitive eyes, which help it hunt creatures on the sea floor. The Anomalocaris continues hunting trilobites, devouring about two more before more Anomalocaris arrive, and one begins to fight him.

Two Anomalocaris fighting

Eventually, the challenger splits the armor of the male and swims away. The injured Anomalocaris heads to the open sea, where its blood attracts a school of Haikouicthys. The fish begin to scavenge the wound, and eventually the Anomalocaris swims away, with the school trailing him.

Episode 2-Reptile's Beginnings

Anomalocaris is only briefly seen in the intro of the episode, where it is seen fighting a rival.