30 of the weirdest animals around the world

There are 8.7 million tagged species on Earth, but scientists estimate that over 80 percent of life on this planet still remains undiscovered. It’s truly remarkable that with all of these animals occupying the same space as us, on an average day we might only see a dog and maybe a couple of pigeons. It’s likely we will never be able to see all 8.7 million, so we rounded up the weirdest of the weird species for just a glimpse at how much is really out there.

Does this mole even have eyes to see these weird animal photos? Star-nosed moles are actually great swimmers because of their front claws, and they were the first mammal that was proven to be able to smell underwater. They aren’t a very uncommon species, just rarely seen.

The whitemargin stargazer likes to hang out on reef flats and coastal bottoms but is very rarely spotted because they like to stay buried under the sand with only their eyes showing. If it sounds creepy, that’s because it is.

From above the water, sunfish have occasionally been mistaken for disembodied swimming dolphin heads. It is one of the heaviest and boniest fish species in the world, weighing up to 1,000kg.

Bearded pigs use their scruff to dig around for roots, fungus and bugs to eat. They also enjoy eating plants, small birds and the occasional orangutan carcass. (It’s a pain getting the gristle out of your beard, though.)

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Babirusas are certainly not your ordinary pig. They are known for their tusks which begin growing inside its mouth, then pierce through the skin of its face. A true nightmare for babirusa orthodontists.

The Galapagos batfish truly know how to work a red pout. These red-lipped bottom dwellers are typically found on the coral reefs in the Pacific Ocean around the Galapagos. Scientists believe the red around their mouths is used to lure prey, but more research is needed in order to be sure.

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Aye-aye, Captain! The aye-aye is the only primate who uses echolocation – the process of locating something by producing sounds and then listening to the sounds reflected back. Other animals you may be familiar with that use echolocation are bats and whales.

We never thought we would use the word “beautiful” to describe a bug until the Australian peacock spider. They live in a diverse range of habitats across the southern half of Australia and are venomous, yet completely harmless to humans. Male peacock spiders flash their rainbow colours and do a little courtship jig to attract females. Important to note that these spiders are also known as sparklemuffins.

The coatimundi is kind of like the raccoon of Central and South America. They scavenge for fruits, eggs, small rodents and of course, leftovers from last night’s dinner in your garbage bin. Although they may look cute and cuddly, the coatimundi is known to be incredibly vicious.

The axolotl is probably the most adorable salamander because they always look as if they are smiling. Unlike other salamander species, the axolotl is neotenic, meaning they keep juvenile characteristics all through adulthood (just like many adult male humans).

Also known as a sand puppy and the iconic Rufus on Kim Possible, naked mole rats are, well, naked as its name suggests. They are found mostly in Eastern Africa and live entirely in underground burrows.

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The Pangolin looks a bit like a creature you would see David Goldblum and Laura Dern gushing over in Jurassic Park. Unfortunately, they are one of the most illegally trafficked animals in the world due to the belief that their scales have medicinal powers.

Just why did the Tasmanian Devil receive its diabolical moniker? The name originated from the first European settlers on the island state of Tasmania who heard mysterious growls and screams in the night. The settlers’ irritation spurred the name “devil.”

Unfortunately, these large-eared, beady-eyed bilbies are endangered. There are an estimated 600-700 bilbies left in Australia. Besides feral cats, the most prominent cause of death in bilbies are cattle and sheep taking over their habitats.

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As an animal we only thought we would see in our nightmares, this crossover between an alligator and a fish dates back over 100 million years. They can be found swimming through the freshwater rivers of Rio Grande in Brazil all the way to the Missouri River in the USA.

These wide-eyed, furry mammals can be found swinging from the trees in rainforests. The Kinkajou tail is so strong they can actually climb up it and usually hang upside down from their tail when munching on some fruit (don’t try this at home).

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Cute (but perhaps not cuddly) and widespread across Australia, echidnas are mammals and also known as spiky anteaters. Echidnas can live up to 50 years and are a distant relative to the platypus… and just to add to their cuteness, a baby echidna is known as a puggle.

These little go-with-the-flow sea slugs are a true work of oceanic art. The glaucus atlanticus float upside down, allowing the winds and ocean currents to carry them. But be warned! If you interrupt their relaxing swim, they will sting (and they are venomous).

These happy dolphins look similar to the famous beluga whale with its rounded head and soft smile. The Irrawaddy dolphin is an enormous indicator of the health of freshwater resources and their gradual extinction could be a signal for a larger decline in the whole river ecosystem.

The sunda colugo is also recognised as a flying lemur. Interestingly enough, they are not lemurs, nor do they fly, but they would definitely be able to hold their own in a gliding competition with some bats.

The glass frog has a transparent abdomen so when it soars from one plant to another, you can see its insides including its internal organs and its little beating heart. Ironically, scientists are not “clear” about why their middles are see-through.

Easily mistaken for cotton balls, Honduran white bats live in tents with other Honduran white bats that they build out of large leaves. They also have leaf-shaped noses and ears.

The leafy seadragon looks like, well, a leaf. Found swimming off the coast of Australia, this fish looks like a floating plant, serving as a pretty neat camouflage from predators.

These tiny antelopes have the most beautiful, dark eyes surrounded by a white ring. Besides just visionary purposes, dik-diks secrete a sticky liquid from their eyes that is used to scent-mark their territory.

While Okapis look like a crossover between zebras and deer, they are actually more closely related to giraffes. You read that right. The okapi is the only living relative to the giraffe.

Their unfortunate name matches their unfortunate skin which is covered in wart-like bulges. Poor things! But, they become considerably cooler once you learn that they can consume prey as big as their entire bodies in one big gulp.

The maned wolf really works the tall black boots style more than most humans. They resemble a fox with extra-long legs, but they are their own distinct species.

The Patagonian Mara is basically a very large rodent. Imagine seeing one of these scurrying over the train tracks! That’s an image that probably makes your skin crawl, but give them some love, because they are very family-oriented creatures as they stay monogamous for life.

Gerenuk translates to “giraffe neck” in Somali, which makes sense due to these antelope’s remarkably long necks. They eat on their hind legs so they can reach the best places in the trees, but we think they’re just showing off.

Now enjoy some of the cutest wild animals in the world. 

Although resembling an elk, the markhor is the largest wild goat species in the world. Their striking spiral horns can grow up to 150cm long. Sounds heavy!

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Source: RD.com