Anomalocaris was a large, predatory marine creature that lived during the Cambrian period, around 520 million years ago. It could grow up to 3 feet long and is known for its unique body structure, which included a segmented body, large compound eyes, and a pair of grasping appendages used for capturing prey. This ancient animal is considered one of the earliest known apex predators in the ocean. Its name means "abnormal shrimp," reflecting its unusual appearance. Anomalocaris played a significant role in the Cambrian explosion, a time of rapid diversification of life forms in Earth's history.