15+ Rare And Unusual Animal Species That Will Leave You Questioning Everything You Know
Our planet is home to over 8.7 million animal species, each one more extraordinary and intriguing than the last. From the ocean's darkest depths to the tiniest nooks of the forest floor, nature is filled with creatures that seem almost unbelievable. How many of these strange and astonishing animals have you encountered?
The further you explore, the stranger it becomes—like the star-nosed mole with its 22 finger-like tentacles, the panda ant that’s neither panda nor ant, or the dazzling peacock-colored spider affectionately named Sparklemuffin. Intrigued? Get ready to discover some of the most bizarre and otherworldly animals ever found.
The Superb Bird-Of-Paradise Has Two Faces
Birds-of-paradise are famous for their dazzling feathers and unique mating dances, but the greater superb bird-of-paradise takes the spectacle even further. It rearranges its black and blue feathers to create a "face" complete with two eyes and a mouth. During courtship, the males hop around the females, proudly displaying this eye-catching feature.
In 2017, scientists discovered that what was once believed to be a single species is actually three distinct ones. These birds are native to New Guinea, and each male performs his own signature "smiley face" dance. Some even showcase different facial expressions—like the Vogelkop superb bird-of-paradise, which sports a frowning face instead.
The Real-Life Werewolf
Spotting a maned wolf at night might lead someone to mistake it for a werewolf. Standing about three feet tall and resembling a fox on stilts, this animal is actually neither a wolf nor a fox. Genetic tests reveal it belongs to its own genus, Chrysocyon. Maned wolves are canids known for a strong odor similar to that of skunks.
These unique creatures inhabit the grasslands of Brazil and, like foxes, tend to live solitary lives. Conservation research highlights that deforestation in Brazil is severely impacting their population. Although they share traits with wild dogs, maned wolves are primarily frugivores, feeding mostly on fruit.
The Deep Sea Fish With A Transparent Head
Back in 1939, scientists came across a deep-sea fish that looks straight out of science fiction. The barreleye (Macropinna microstoma) features a transparent head, revealing its distinctive tubular eyes inside. These fascinating fish are found only at depths between 2,000 and 2,600 feet off the coast of California.
The clear, fluid-filled dome on their heads protects their internal organs, while their highly sensitive eyes are specially adapted to capture the faintest light in the deep ocean. Barreleyes often hover motionless in the water, patiently waiting for a jellyfish to drift above them. Once they spot their prey, they swiftly swim upward to snatch it.
The Mata Mata Is One Awkward-Looking Turtle
If you come across a mata mata in South America, you might not immediately recognize it as a turtle. These reptiles have a distinctive wedge-shaped head, small eyes, a wide mouth, and a prominent nose. They blend seamlessly into river basins, thanks to their armor-like shells.
Though mata matas are aquatic, they're not strong swimmers in open water. Rather, they prefer to remain motionless in slow-moving, shallow pools, patiently waiting for prey to come close. Despite decades of study, much about these unusual creatures remains a mystery to scientists.
The Sea Slug That's A Blue Dragon
In 2016, dazzling "blue dragons" were spotted along the shores of Australia. Though undeniably striking, it's wise to keep your distance if you come across one. These blue dragons are actually a species of sea slug called Glaucus atlanticus, and they carry a potent venom.
Glaucus atlanticus stores this toxin in its tentacles, which can stretch up to 30 feet long. Unlike most sea slugs, they drift on ocean currents. Their diet consists mainly of venomous jellyfish, which they shred with sharp teeth. When food is scarce, they may even turn to cannibalism.
You Can See Through This Frog
Glass frogs live up to their name— their translucent skin lets you see right through to their internal organs. Found in the forests of Central and South America, these frogs have completely transparent undersides, revealing their heart, veins, and intestines.
For a long time, scientists were puzzled by the frogs' glass-like skin. But in May 2020, researchers finally found an explanation. The frogs’ transparency acts as camouflage. Since leaves vary in shades of green, the frogs’ clear skin allows them to blend in effortlessly. Their more translucent legs help them melt into the foliage, making them nearly invisible.
Is This A Bird Or A Bug?
At first glance, the hummingbird hawk-moth might fool you with its size and appearance, closely resembling a hummingbird. But it's actually a moth, using a long, tongue-like proboscis to drink nectar instead of a beak. Its wings hum just like those of a real hummingbird as it hovers in place.
This moth has larger eyes than most, which can help ward off some predators. It's also incredibly agile, flying up to 12 mph and handling strong winds and rain with ease. Hummingbird hawk-moths can be spotted across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
One Of The Most Poisonous Caterpillars
The puss moth may appear as a cute, fuzzy kitten with wings, but its caterpillar is a whole different story. With a bright red face and two long pincers on its abdomen, the puss moth caterpillar is one of the most venomous in North America.
When threatened, this caterpillar can spray formic acid from its pincers, causing painful rashes and intense discomfort. Despite its dangerous nature, many people overlook these caterpillars, as they blend in seamlessly with aspen and willow trees.
The Turtle With A Soft Shell
The Asian giant softshell turtle, also known as Cantor's giant softshell turtle, is among the largest freshwater turtles on the planet. What sets it apart is its "soft" shell, as there's no clear separation between its shell and body. With a broad head and eyes positioned near its snout, it often resembles a frog more than a traditional turtle.
These turtles inhabit slow-moving rivers in East Asia, but unfortunately, they are currently endangered. Conservation efforts have been helping their population slowly recover, giving scientists a chance to study them in more detail.
The Microscopic, Indestructible Water Bear
When you hear "water bear," what do you imagine? A large mammal? Well, water bears (officially named tardigrades) are actually microscopic animals that have been around for 530 million years. Scientists first discovered water bears in a puddle in a Japanese parking lot.
When researchers studied these micro-animals under a microscope, they saw that water bears are nearly indestructible. They can survive burning temperatures, total dissection, radiation, and the frozen vacuum of space. Scientists believe that water bears have a genome that suppresses damage and keeps them alive.
This Mouse Leaps Like A Gazelle
The jerboa is no ordinary rodent. Its back legs are about four times longer than its front legs, and it gets around by hopping. Even though it's only about the size of a fist, a jerboa can leap as far as ten feet. They often jump in zigzag patterns to dodge predators.
Jerboas live in the deserts of Northern Africa and Arabia. They have special skin flaps in their noses and ears that help keep sand out. When danger is near, they can sprint up to 15 miles per hour and quickly disappear into their burrows for safety.
The Only Mammal That Has Scales
When people first see a pangolin—a small, 15-inch-long creature covered in scales with big claws—they often mistake it for a reptile. But it's actually the only mammal on Earth with natural armor. There are eight species of pangolins found across Asia and Africa, and with their unique look, they resemble something straight out of Pokémon.
Similar to anteaters, pangolins have long, sticky tongues that help them catch insects. Their scales are made of keratin, the same material found in human fingernails. Even though many people have never heard of them, pangolins are the most illegally trafficked mammal in the world—more than elephants or rhinos.
The Mole With Tentacles
Star-nosed moles are so bizarre that neurologist Kenneth Catania calls them "the weirdest looking creatures on the planet." Instead of a snout, these moles have 22 tentacles on their face. Each tentacle has 100,000 nerve fibers, making it more sensitive than any mammal organ on earth.
Star-nosed moles have advanced brains; they can discern food in two-tenths of a second and decide if it's edible in eight milliseconds. While underwater, they will blow bubbles and then suck them up to smell what is in the water.
This Cobra Spits Venom Into Peoples' Eyes
Most snakes bite people to distribute their venom, but spitting cobras have a different talent. They move muscles around their venom glands, which releases it as a spray. In other words, spitting cobras literally spit venom into your eyes.
And yes, they are aiming for the eyes. In 2014, morphologist Bruce Young discovered that spitting cobras could hit people's eyes with 90% accuracy. The venom hardly harms the skin, but it can cause permanent blindness. They can also spit up to five feet away.
A Pink Dolphin
This rare dolphin was spotted off the coast of Hong Kong. This species of dolphin is called a Chinese white dolphin, or Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin.
Scientists have sampled its DNA in an effort to save the species from extinction, as its very rare to spot one today, making it truly a once in a lifetime experience!
Axolotl: Mexico's Giant Salamander
Axolotls have lived in Mexican lakes and canals since the time of the Aztecs. Axolotls are salamanders that can grow up to a foot long. Today, they make popular pets, but scientists are more interested in their limb regeneration abilities.
Axolotls can regrow any limb or organ in their body. This includes their brain, eyes, and even heart. Researchers are still studying how they can accomplish this; perhaps the discovery can improve human medicine. Unfortunately, axolotls are close to extinction in Mexico City, their only natural habitat.
