Weird Animals You Never Knew Existed
Today we have a list
of 21 weird animals you never knew existed. Even though you might think you’ve
seen the world over, but there are still wonders that will surprise you and may
even make your eyes pop.
Even if you’re a
dedicated animal enthusiast, you can’t honestly expect to know all of the
1,367,555 non-insect animal species, that are
identified on the face of Earth today!
Red-lipped Batfish
Found on the Galapagos
Islands, this fish is actually a pretty bad swimmer, and uses its pectoral fins
to walk on the bottom of the ocean. (Image credits: imgur)
SEE ALSO – 10 Rare Dog Breeds You Probably Never Knew
Existed
Goblin Shark
Goblin sharks inhabit
around the world at depths greater than 100 m (330 ft), with adults found
deeper than juveniles. Given the depths at which it lives, the goblin shark
poses no danger to humans. (Image credits: imgur)
The Panda Ant
The Mutillidae are a family of more than 3,000 species of wasps
(despite the names) whose wingless females resemble large, hairy ants. Found in
Chile, they are known for their extremely painful stings, hence the common name
cow killer or cow ant. Black and white specimens are sometimes known as panda
ants due to their hair coloration resembling that of the Chinese giant panda.
(Image credits: Chris Lukhaup)
Penis Snake
This, uhm… peculiar
eyeless animal is actually called Atretochoana eiselti. It is a large, presumably aquatic, caecilian
amphibian with a broad, flat head and a fleshy dorsal fin on the body. (Image
credits: fotos.noticias.bol.uol.com.br)
Umbonia Spinosa
These thorn bugs are
related to cicadas, and use their beaks to pierce plant stems to feed upon
their sap. Their strange appearance still poses many questions to scientists.
(Image credits: Colin Hutton)
Lowland Streaked Tenrec
Found in Madagascar,
Africa, this small tenrec is the only mammal known to use stridulation for
generating sound – something that’s usually associated with snakes and insects.
(Image credits: hakoar | telegraph.co.uk)
Hummingbird Hawk-Moth
As this hawk-moth
feeds on flowers and makes a similar humming sound, it looks a lot like a
hummingbird. What’s interesting is that it is surprisingly good at learning
colors. (Image credits: Jerzy Strzelecki | unknown)
Glaucus Atlanticus
Also known as the blue
dragon, this creature is a species of blue sea slug. You can find it in warm
waters of the oceans. it normally floats on the
surface because of a gas-filled sac in its stomach. (Image credits: unknown |
unknown | paulhypnos)
Mantis Shrimp
Also called the “sea
locusts“, “prawn killers” and even “thumb splitters”, this is one of the most
common predators in tropical and sub-tropical waters; little is known about
them because of how much time they spend hiding in their burrows. (Image
credits: Alexander Safonov)
Venezuelan Poodle Moth
Discovered in
Venezuela in 2009, this new species of alien-looking moth is still poorly
explored. Waiting for more info about them! (Image credits: Arthur Anker | imgur)
The Pacu Fish
You probably don’t
need much explanation as to why the residents of Papua New Guinea call this
fish a “ball cutter.” The local fishermen were really worried about the safety
of their testicles when they had to get in the water! (Image credits: imgur | evolvingcomplexityii)
Giant Isopod
This one is the
largest of the existing isopods. “The enormous size of the giant isopod is a
result of a phenomenon known as deep sea gigantism. This is the tendency of
deep sea crustaceans and other animals to grow to a much larger size than
similar species in shallower waters.” (Image credits: Littoraria)
The Saiga Antelope
This saiga, spread
around the Eurasian steppe, is known for its an extremely unusual, over-sized,
flexible nose structure, the proboscis. (Image credits: enews.fergananews.com)
The Bush Viper
Being a carnivore
predator, the Bush Viper lives up in the trees of the tropical forests of Africa, and does most of its hunting at night. (Image
credits: thegeneralmonk)
The Blue Parrotfish
This bright blue fish
can be found in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and spends 80% of its time
searching for food. (Image credits: imgur | depalmadise)
Indian Purple Frog
Found in India, this
species of frog have a bloated body and an unusually pointy snout; it only
spends two weeks a year on the surface of earth, leaving the underground for
mating. (Image credits: wikipedia.org)
Shoebill
This large stork-like
bird gets its name because of the shape of its beak. Even though it was already
known to ancient Egyptians and Arabs, the bird was only classified in the 19th
century. (Image credits: David Li | shoebill.info)
Okapi
This mammal is native
to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa. Despite the
zebra-like stripes, it is actually more closely related to giraffes. (Image
credits: marylandzoo.org | baynews9.com)
Narwhal
This toothed whale,
found in the arctic, has been valued for over 1000 years by the Inuit people
for its meat and ivory. The narwhal, however, is especially sensitive to the
climate change. (Image credits: gowild.wwf.org.uk | Richard Thomas)
Thorny Dragon
Colored in
camouflaging shades of desert browns, this lizard has a “false” head, which he
presents to his predators by dipping the real one. (Image credits: imgur | Christopher Watson)
Sea Pig
Scotoplanes live on deep ocean bottoms, specifically on the abyssal plain
in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean, typically at depths of over 1000
meters. They are deposit feeders, and obtain food by extracting organic
particles from deep-sea mud. (Image credits: imgur |
thedailygreen.com | realcoldfish)
#Tufted Deer
Tufted deers are a small species of deer that are found in China.
They are mainly solitary creatures, sometimes found in pairs, and they are very
shy. Also, majestic fangs.
Tufted Deer
#Star-nosed Mole
Star-nosed moles are
small moles found in eastern Canada and United States along wet and low areas.
Star-nosed Mole
#Southern Right Whale Dolphin
Southern right whale
dolphins are small species found in cool waters far south. They have no visible
teeth or dorsal fin but they still leap out of the water gorgeously.
Southern Right Whale
Dolphin
#Raccoon Dog
Raccoon Dogs, or
Tanuki, are found in East Asia. They are not actually a type of raccoons, but
they climb trees regularly.
Raccoon Dog
#Patagonian Mara
Patagonian Maras are
large rodents found in parts of Argentina. They are herbivorous and cute.
Patagonian Mara
#Markhor
Markhors are large
species of wild goats that are found in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They are
classified as endagered species by the IUCN since
there are only 2,500 mature markhors in existence.
Markhor
#Maned Wolf
Maned Wolves are found
in South America. They live mostly in grasslands.
Maned Wolf
#Lamprey
Lampreys are the spawn
of hell. Kidding. They are jawless fish that suck the blood of fish, or humans,
and their body hasn’t changed since 300 milion years
ago.
Lamprey
#Gerenuk
Gerenuks are
long-necked species of antelopes found in Eastern Africa. They stand up to
graze for food. Very picky eaters!
Gerenuk
#Amazonian Royal Flycatcher
Amazonian Royal
Flycatchers are found in the Amazon. They are about 6 inches and they mostly
eat insects.
Amazonian Royal
Flycatcher
(H/T Reddit) The animal kingdom can
be majestic, but obviously it can also be a frightening and strange place. Most
of these animals wouldn't be found in zoos - and for good reason. The goblin
shark will haunt my dreams for years. Click below to share these awesomely odd
animals with others.
Pink Fairy Armadillo
Image credits: reddit | wikipedia
Aye-aye
Image credits: animalsadda.com
The Maned Wolf
Image credits: imgur
Tufted Deer
Image credits: zoochat.com
Dumbo Octopus
Image credits: interactiveoceans.washington.edu
Patagonian Mara
Image credits: zoochat.com
Naked Mole Rat
Image credits: extremelongevity.net
Irrawaddy Dolphin
Image credits: wwf.org | imgur
The Gerenuk
Image credits: Michael
Despines | imgur
Dugong
Image credits: webecoist
The Babirusa
Image credits: oregonzoo.org
Lamprey
Image credits: forum.lowyat.net
The Fossa
Star-Nosed Mole
Image credits: synapsebristol.blogspot.com
Sunda Colugo
Image credits: identi.info
Zebra Duiker
Image credits: imgur
Yeti Crab
Image credits: oceanleadership.org
Superb Bird of Paradise
Image credits: BBC
Planet Earth | National Geographic
Blob Fish
Image credits: coloribus.com | monsterfishworld.com
Cantor’s Giant Soft Shelled Turtle
Image credits: wwf.panda.org
Gobi Jerboa
Image credits: tgran | wildofanimals.blogspot.com
Japanese Spider Crab
Image credits: telegraph.co.uk
LOGIN
Babirusa (Hog Deer)
The Fossa
Gobi Jeroba
Zebra Duiker
Cantor's Giant Soft
Shell Turtle
The Blob Fish
Patagonian Mara
Sunda Colugo
Star Nosed Mole
Kiwaidae (Yetti
Crab)
Lamprey
Mantis Shrimp
Venezuelan Poodle
Moth
Okapi
Thorny Dragon
Glaucus Atlanticus
Umbonia Spinosa
Shoebill
Indian Purple Frog
The Panda Ant
The Bush Viper
Pacu Fish (Human-looking Teeth!)
Lowland Streaked
Tenrec
Red Lipped Batfish
Tanuki (Racoon Dog)
upload.wikimedia.org / Via en.wikipedia.org
Native to: Madagascar
Defining characteristic: It’s
striped and spiny.
upload.wikimedia.org / Via en.wikipedia.org
Native to: Temperate
and tropical waters
Defining characteristic: It’s
blue. It stings people. It’s only 1.2 inches long.
upload.wikimedia.org / Via en.wikipedia.org
Native to: Rivers
in the vicinity of the Amazon.
Characteristics: IT HAS
TEETH OH MY GOD. Also, it
likes biting testicles.
upload.wikimedia.org / Via en.wikipedia.org
Native to: Australia
Defining characteristic: It’s
basically a giraffe-turtle. Again, dat NECK.
upload.wikimedia.org / Via en.wikipedia.org
Native to: Costa
Rica
Defining characteristic: It’s
very brightly colored. And the pattern varies.
upload.wikimedia.org / Via Flickr:
hghjim
Native to: The
southern US; Mexico; and Central America.
Defining characteristic: It’s
wearing a fur coat 24/7.
SWNS /
Via metro.co.uk
Native to: Oceania
Defining characteristic: It’s
all in the name.
upload.wikimedia.org / Via en.wikipedia.org
Also known as REAL LIFE NEOPET.
Native to: Central Mexico
Defining characteristic: They’re
weird as hell. And they’re smiling.
upload.wikimedia.org / Via en.wikipedia.org
Native to: Southern
Pacific Ocean
Defining characteristic: It’s
got furry appendages, y’all. It looks like freakin’
yeti.
upload.wikimedia.org / Via en.wikipedia.org
Native to: Southeastern
Asia
Defining characteristic: HOLY
EYES, BATMAN.
Want
to hear a Morgan Freeman impersonator tell you about the tarsier? HINT: Yes.
Yes, you do. Watch this video NOW.
upload.wikimedia.org / Via en.wikipedia.org
Native to: Hispaniola
Defining characteristic: It’s
a venomous mammal that apparently smells like a goat. What even?
upload.wikimedia.org / Via en.wikipedia.org
Aka Fakey Snakey
Native to: Asia; Northern
Africa; Southeastern USA
Defining characteristic: They’re
lizards that don’t have legs. But they aren’t snakes.
upload.wikimedia.org / Via en.wikipedia.org
Also known as Ghostfish Killah
Native to: Waters around
Antarctica
Defining characteristic: They’re
see-through and they have antifreeze in their blood.
upload.wikimedia.org / Via en.wikipedia.org
Native to: Madagascar
Defining characteristic: It’s
basically the mammal version of a woodpecker. And its tail is as long as its
body.
upload.wikimedia.org / Via en.wikipedia.org
Also known as living needle-nosed pliers
Native to: Indian subcontinent
Defining characteristic: Long-ass
snout with 110 teeth.
While pygmy marmosets are so rare
they aren’t frequently kept as pets, it’s admittedly fun to imagine one living
in an itty bitty cage from a Lilliputian pet supply store…is it not?
Baby pygmy hippos are endangered and
you’d be lucky to spot one on the wild…these little lumps of love aren’t found
in zoos…they reside in wildlife preservations.
If this itty-bitty-birdy-wonder
tried to hang out in my parakeet’s cage, she’d have trouble even gripping the
perch!
Ever wonder where you get pet
supplies for a pygmy goat? I’d say they probably come from the same PetCo where you purchased puppy supplies.
I will never look at bacon the same
way again. Unfortunately for EVERYONE teacup pigs aren’t sold in pet stores,
though some specialty breeders do exist.
Imagine this tiny turtle in a
teeny-tiny aquarium swimming with all his exotic fish friends! Major squee alert.
Noooo! Who would
steal a cutie this sweet?
Pygmy hogs are found on farms rather
than in your local pet stores…but that doesn’t make them any less adorable.
Eep!! Flying
squirrels aren’t sold in pet stores in the US.
Here’s a sweetie that IS commonly
kept as a pet! Call your local pet store if you’re interested in owning a dwarf
hamster. Chinese dwarf hamsters are listed at $11.99 on PetSmart’s website.
That’s a great price for a pet so sweet.
MEEP!
Pudu aren’t
found in pet stores.
Ribbit, ribbit!!
Eek! These cuties aren’t for sale in
pet stores because they run the risk of turning into itty bitty vamps. (Jk.)
The skin of glass frog is usually lime
green, but it's belly is transparent and you can see
all of its organs.
Glass shrimp or ghost shrimp are
typically found in household aquariums. You may have owned one before.
This terrifying creature can withstand
freezing temperatures and is native to the deep seas of South America and
Antarctica.
These are also called ghost catfish and
are native to Thailand.
Glass octopi can be found in tropical and
subtropical oceans.
Glass frogs are born translucent.
This salamander can be found in Barton
Springs, Texas and can grow to become 2.5 inches long.
There are more than 60 different species
of glass squid. They can found around the world in shallow waters.
The glasswinged
butterfly can have a wingspan of up to 2.4 inches.
Salps live
in colonies and are actual planktonic tunicates. They have gelatinous bodies
that they pump water though in order to move.
Antarctic Krill are bioluminescent.
Jewel caterpillars can be found in South
America. They're intricate patterns make them look like living pieces of
hand-blown glass.
The larval squid is entirely transparent
with the exception of a few colored organs that can be seen from the outside.