These 50 Impressive Animals Have the Most Bizarre Look on Planet

From the depths of the ocean to the tallest peaks, the animal kingdom never fails to surprise us with its diversity and uniqueness. But, what if we told you there’s a group of creatures that takes bizarre to a whole new level? Get ready to feast your eyes on the 50 weirdest animals that will leave you amazed, amused, and scratching your head in disbelief. These odd-looking specimens are a testament to the incredible variety of life on our planet and a reminder that sometimes, truth truly is stranger than fiction.

Keep scrolling and discover the weirdest-Looking yet most impressive animals on earth.

South America’s Poodle Moth

Large countries in South America tend to contain some of the rarest species of flora and fauna in the world. The poodle moth, which is characterized by a rather fluffy exterior with big luminous eyes, is one of these.

It is found in Venezuela, and can often be seen perching on cotton and other similar plan varieties. Scientists are still unsure of what species of moth this poodle moth belongs to, or if it is its own unique one.

The South American Maned Wolf

This wolf looks like a hybrid between a dog and a fox. It has extremely long legs and a narrow upper body. While it is a carnivore, it tends to shy away from human settlements, which can make it harder to see in the wild.

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Even though it is not big like North American wolves, it can still reach weights of about 30 kilograms. This makes it the biggest canine species found on the continent of South America.

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The North American Star-Nosed Mole

By nature, moles are underground earth dwellers. They like to tunnel through the soil and create vast networks of connecting tunnels that only they know how to get through. The star-nosed mole is unique, though. Its snout is literally in the shape of many pointed stars.

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The little finger-like protrusions which are on the nose work as fingers for the mole, and they help them to catch prey. As the nose has its own set of fingers, the mole is also known for being able to sniff out and eat whatever it catches in around 10 seconds. Imagine having a bowl of cereal, and being able to eat it in less than a minute.

The Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko

Don’t be fooled by this little guy, while he may look like a pile of dried leaves this is actually a tiny gecko native to the island of Madagascar. The satanic leaf-tailed gecko uses its unique coloring and shape to mimic decaying leaves in its surroundings to avoid predators.

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While most of these little creatures are often shaded in different browns to match dead leaves, they do also come in a variety of other colors, including shades of purple and orange. Their tails are shaped exactly like a dried leaf and if they need to they shed their tails to mimic a dead leaf falling from the tree. They are called satanic because when their camouflage fails they tend to open their mouths to show off their bright red mouths and large teeth.

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Honduran White Bats

These funny looking bats are extremely small and they often nest together to keep warm. When they do their small size and white fur makes them look like tiny cotton balls up in the treetops.

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The Honduran white bats live mainly in the rainforests of Central America and these tiny little cotton puffs spend most of their time nesting under leaves. The bats have a unique nose that is developed to help them hunt and eat.

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The South American Mata Mata Turtle

This turtle looks like it may not be alive at first glance, but that is because it is such an ancient species. It is found in the Amazon rainforest and is actually known to be quite vicious.

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It can swing its thorny head from side to side, which can swipe away any attacking predators. It can only survive in freshwater, which means it tends to be found within the Amazon basin. It does not like fast-moving water.

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The Leafy Sea-Dragon

This may look like something out of an Avatar remake but this is actually one of nature’s most beautiful marine fish. This leafy sea-dragon really lives up to its name, and its leaf-like fins delicately move as the animal floats passed.

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Native to the South-Western coast of Australia, the leafy sea-dragon (also called the Glauert’sseadragon) is a weedlike fish that uses its leafy appearance to mimic brightly colored seaweed. By mimicking the surrounding plant life this little guy is able to stay safe and avoid being eaten by predators. It’s unique camouflage also makes them difficult to spot by any passing divers.

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The Madagascar Aye-Aye

The aye-aye is actually a member of the lemur family. Still, it does not look like the cuddly version that can often be seen sitting on its haunches on roads. It hunts at night and tends to attack trees.

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Once it has managed to make a hole within a tree, it stretches its long fingers inside the hole and digs out any rodents and grubs that are living within it. As it looks like something out of a nightmare, it was thought to be bad luck.

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The Southeast Asian Tarsier

The tarsier, with its large eyes, looks like it could be a stuffed animal. It actually belongs to the primate family and has long been thought to be bad for farming in Southeast Asia. That is because there is a myth that they eat the crops.

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In reality, these little guys actually spend their time catching insects, which can spread disease amongst crops, and lizards, which might eat the actual crops. Those all-seeing eyes cannot move at all. So for this little guy to look around, the Tarsier has evolved like owls have. Like owls, Tarsiers can turn their heads almost 360-degrees and view all of their surroundings.

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The Pacific Dugong

When you hear the phrase ‘sea cow’, you typically think of the manatee. In the Pacific ocean, however, there exists something called the dugong. This is another species of the sea cow, which has a very different facial structure than that of the manatee.

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They only eat seagrass, and as they are enormous, they typically need to eat over 100 pounds of it a day to stay alive. That means they can be seen grazing in the oceans for hours upon hours should any divers happen to swim by them. Like the cows you find on land, these dugongs are really only concerned with finding their next meal.

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The Eurasian Saiga Antelope

The Saiga antelope looks like it is something out of a Star Wars movie. The snout has been designed to make foraging for food easier. One of the reasons that the Saiga looks like it is almost prehistoric is because it has been around since the Pleistocene era.

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That makes this one of the oldest and most endangered species on this list. Climate change has greatly affected the population of these antelope, as they need cold temperatures to survive.

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The Indian Purple Frog

When you think about frogs, you imagine large bulbous eyes, and a wide gaping mouth going ribbit-ribbit. The purple frog, found only in India, looks nothing like the stereotypical frog. It has a large purple body and a tiny little head.

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It does not make a traditional croaking sound because its mouth is simply too small. Some recipes for traditional Indian medicine actually call for the purple frog, which has made it much sought after and thus, endangered.

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The Argentinian Pink Fairy Armadillo

Armadillo’s look like remnants from the time of dinosaurs. They aren’t big the way we know dinosaurs were, but their hard interlocking exoskeletons make them look like miniature dinosaurs.

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The pink fairy armadillo is special because of the way it keeps its body warm. You see, its pink coloring isn’t just to make it look good, it also serves an essential purpose. Blood flow in the fairy armadillos’ exoskeleton gives this little guy his pink appearance, but it also keeps him warm. The size is also unique because it can fit within a human-sized hand.

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The New Guinean Vogelkop Superb Bird Of Paradise

At first glance, this bird does not appear to be that abnormal. When the male Vogelkop superb bird of paradise is standing upright, you can see the electric blue underbelly, which matches its eyes.

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However, the feathers that are pure black are what makes this bird unlike any other on the planet. The black absorbs nearly 100% of the light, which makes it appear to melt into its surroundings when it bends down and covers its blue belly.

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The South American Umbonia Spinosa

These red, yellow, and green bugs with a giant thorn on their backs are beautiful to look at. They can camouflage themselves on various plants, which keeps them safe from any roaming insect eaters.

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However, they are known for attacking their plants of choice. They have a small piercing mouth, which they use to break through the stems on plants, and gain access to the sap inside. The sap is what they feed off of.

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The African Shoebill

The shoebill is found in swampy areas of East Africa, especially in Sudan and Zambia. Its beak, which places it within the same family as storks, is shaped like a shoe.

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This shape helps them to shovel up any prey that they come across. Often, they can be seen standing stock still in swamps waiting for a fish to swim by that looks particularly tasty. At this point, the shoebill swings into action, and the two and a half meter wingspan can be seen.

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The Quagga

This odd-looking zebra/donkey hybrid is native to South Africa…at least it was until European settlers overhunted the animal and caused its extinction. Amazingly the Quagga is now back after scientists were able to use selective breeding and DNA technology to breed a new herd.

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Today this zebra-cousin roams the plains once again and they are now a protective species. The Quagga is unique because like a zebra it has stripes on the front of its body while it has brown coloring on its hind legs. It is amazing how something that was once extinct can be brought back to life.

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Nembrotha Cristata

This funny-looking animal is actually a rare and colorful sea slug that lives n the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific ocean around the Philippines. The Nembrotha cristata is black with bright aquamarine markings and grows to approximately 50 mm in length.

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This tiny little slug is brightly colored to scare away predators and they usually only have a lifespan of about a year. While this beautiful creature has a pair of cabbage looking wings on its back, these are purely for decoration and the slug usually gets around by crawling.

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The Barreleye

This weird looking fish with the transparent head lives in the inky darkness of the deep ocean where there is hardly any light. What’s most curious about this fish is that its eyes are so well developed to capture light in the pitch black that the fish can either look straight ahead or roll its eyes up and look through its see-through skull.

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The two spots above the fish’s mouth that look like eyes are actually the fish’s nose. The green orbs inside the fish’s head are the fishes actual eyes. Here the green eyes are pointed up because the fish is scanning the water above for prey.

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Sumatran Rhinoceros

This rare rhino cannot be found along the plains of Africa. Instead, these funny-looking cousins to the African rhino can be found in Indonesia. These rhinos are almost extinct and today very few remain.

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What’s so unique about these rhinos is their head shape and fur. Unlike African rhinos, the Sumatran rhino has small horns that look like bumps and an elongated head. Also unlike its African cousins, this rhino has dense brown fur that grows on the animal. The fur is soft and dense and gives the animal a warm coat.

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South America’s Pacu Fish

South America is home to several unique species in the form of medicinal trees only found in certain parts of the Amazon rainforest and certain species of predatory fish. The pacu fish is one of these unique fish that can be found in freshwater.

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The body looks similar to that of a piranha, but the teeth are rather different. Instead of needle-sharp teeth, the pacu has humanoid teeth. The teeth look more like molars than those designed to tear meat apart. As the teeth are more like a human’s, the pacu tends to eat a plant-based diet, unless some easy to catch critters swim by them.

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The Madagascar Lowland Streaked Tenrec

Another animal native to Madagascar is the lowland streaked tenrec. This little critter actually shares some similarities to a porcupine, as it is covered in spines to protect it from predators.

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They tend to just wander around the forest, digging with their clawed feet and foraging for food. There are over 30 different types of tenrecs within their species, but only 5 of them have been reported as having quills.

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The Galapagos Red-Lipped Batfish

While this fish is not known for its swimming abilities, it is definitely known for its red-lipped pout. It looks like someone put some bright red lipstick on this fish and then released it back into the wild.

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This fish is a bottom dweller and tends to crawl across the ocean floor in search of prey. The red of its mouth acts to attract the prey, which then makes it easy for them to catch. They are not very good swimmers.

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The Blue Dragon

This has to be one of the most beautiful creatures that mother nature ever created. It was known as the Glaucus Atlanticus and is not a dragon but a sea slug. The vibrant blue pattern on its shell allows it to camouflage itself and float amongst sea currents.

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It can also be found on man-o-war jellyfish where it can then eat some of the sea fauna that the jellyfish eat. The blue dragon looks like something that would be seen in a fantasy movie, not just floating leisurely in the pacific ocean.

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The Southeast Asian Sunda Colugo

This might look like a lemur, but it is not. Its red speckled body is beautiful, and this coloring is used to blend into the trees that the Sunda Colugo lives in.

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Instead of jumping from tree to tree like a monkey, it is similar to a flying squirrel and can glide from branch to branch. They can actually glide around 450 feet in the air, which is pretty impressive, considering they don’t have wings.

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The Japanese Spider Crab

If you thought the king crab was big, then you have never seen the Japanese spider crab. Its body is the size of a small dog, and its legs are taller than a man.

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A lot of these crabs surround Japan and live in the ocean there. As the Japanese enjoy seafood, the spider crab is prized for its meat. It is incorporated into many dishes and is considered to be special meat. If you ever go to Japan, be sure to try it!

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The Indonesian Proboscis Monkey

As the name suggests, the probosci’s monkey has a huge nose. The nose on these guys can clock-in at around 7 inches in length. Supposedly, the longer and more pronounced a male proboscis’ nose is, the more virile he is to the female monkeys in the species.

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This has yet to be proven, but it must be fascinating to study. The proboscis is an Old World monkey, which means that their origins are different than those of the New World.

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The South American Uakari

Baboons are known for having rather colorful backsides, but the uakari is the complete opposite. Hailing from the rainforests of Brazil and Peru, the uakari is characterized by a bright red face.

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It is also much smaller than a lot of other New World monkeys. It can be found in trees, often feasting on fruits and other small insects. Most monkeys have tails that are longer than their bodies, but the uakari only has a short one.

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The Sunfish

This fish may be called the Ocean Sunfish, but it looks like it really needs a tan. This massive fish can weigh up for 1000 kilogram and while from the side they look large their massive bodies are actually quite flat.

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These giant fish are native to tropical waters and while they are considered a delicacy in some parts of the world, these massive fish are dangerous predators. The Sunfish eat and hunt everything from smalled fish to jellyfish and the only animals that can eat the Sunfish are sharks and killer whales.

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The African Hammer-Headed Bat

When you think about bats, you usually imagine the small little guys that hang upside down in caves and use sonar to get around in the dark. The hammer-headed bat, which is found in African countries situated along the equator, is nothing like this.

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It has a large bulbous nose in which it can emit a honking cry from, as this is the mating call for female hammer-heads. It has a short torso, but each wing is about a foot and a half long, which makes for a rather large bat.

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The North American Greater Sage-Grouse

This bird is found in Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada, along with a few Western regions of the United States. It appears to be carrying two eggs on its chest, but these are actually sacs that are used to make a unique mating call.

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The sacs almost act like bubble wrap and make a pop sound when the grouse is ready to attract a female. Its unique spiky appearance is also used to woo potential mating partners.

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Fennec fox

Fennec foxes are crepuscular foxes that originated from the Sahara Desert and the Sinai Peninsula. They have a unique build to survive and thrive in such extreme environmental conditions.

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Its most distinctive feature is the large ears which they use to dissipate heat. They eat small mammals, insects and some birds and live in families in burrows in the sand.

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Axolotl

Axolotls are a kind of neotenic salamander that can only be found in certain lakes and canals in Mexico. These amphibians reach adulthood without undergoing metamorphosis. Instead of taking to the land, adults remain aquatic and gilled.

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In 2010 they were at the verge of extinction due to the urbanization of Mexico City and pollution. Today they remain critically endangered.

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Giant Isopod

These prehistoric looking isopods live underwater and their enormous size is what helps them to handle the pressure of the deep ocean.

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Although they eat mostly carrion, they’ll eat anything they find on the ocean’s floor because food is quite scarce 7020 feet deep underwater. Also, isopods have a slow metabolism and can go without eating for a few years.

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Goblin shark

Goblin sharks don’t like the light and live deep in the sea to avoid it, that’s why they are often called vampire sharks. They look very scary with their big eyes and teeth but they are not evil.

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They are not interested in humans whatsoever and they only eat crabs, mollusks and other fish. They’re known for being bad swimmers.

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Golden poison frog

This small yellow frog is one of the most poisonous animals in the world and only lives in the Colombian rainforest. But did you know that they are not born poisonous? They actually get it from what they eat.

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The poison is only used as a form of defense and it’s so strong that it can kill two adult elephants.

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Sea pig

Sea pigs are not rare creatures but they look out of this world. They can be found in the depths of all the world’s oceans and play a key role in the world’s ecosystems since they are the ones that clean the ocean.

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They walk on the ocean’s seabed and eat whatever comes their way, from dead animals to plants.

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Andean condor

Despite the andean condor having a wingspan that can reach up to 10 feet, these birds are not the greatest flyers out there. Due to its heavy weight, it struggles to stay aloft while flying.

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But it still prefers to live by incredibly windy areas where it can glide on air currents that can help it rise to impressive heights.

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Northern bald ibis

The northern bald ibis is a bird that lives near running water and tends to stay in groups. It has a completely unfeathered red face and thick black glossy feathers.

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They used to cover more ground but due to water pollution and habitat displacement, they have become critically endangered. Apparently only 500 specimens are left in Morocco and Syria.

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Angonoka tortoise

The angonoka tortoise originates from the island of Madagascar and unfortunately is critically endangered due to illegal poaching and pet trade. They have a unique shell structure and intricate design with noticeable growth rings on each segment.

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Sadly, this species is still going down and roughly 400 of these are left in the wild. Conservation actions are currently taking place.

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Basking shark

This terrifying looking shark is the second largest fish on the planet and is a filter feeder, it thrives on a plankton based diet. The basking shark is known for having a massive liver that makes up 25% of its body weight.

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Due to extreme poaching, it has become an endangered species, but luckily its numbers are on the rise.

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Hairy-chested yeti crab

What makes this crab so special is the white thick hair that covers its extremities and chest. The little microorganisms and mussels that develop on it are actually their main source of food.

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They dwell near Antarctica’s extremely hot hydrothermal vents, which makes life a constant adventure because one false move could result in them being boiled or frozen.

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Hispaniolan solenodon

With their odd, elongated, and extremely flexible snouts, these amusing animals have a distinct trademark look. At the base of their snout, they have a ball-and-socket joint, similar to a human shoulder joint.

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It improves the flexibility of their nose, which aids in the discovery of food. They’re endemic to the island of Hispaniola near The Dominican Republic and Haiti.

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Arapaima

The Arapaima can reach a length of up to 4.5 meters. They live in filthy water devoid of oxygen. They have evolved a peculiar swim bladder that allows it to swallow air from the surface in order to survive.

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When cruising on the surface, their big mouths can catch not only a relatively large fish, but also a bird.

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Spoon-billed sandpiper

This is one of the world’s rarest birds. It has a very distinctive bill that resembles a spatula and gives the bird its name. This species of bird breeds in northern Russia along the shore of the Bering Sea, migrating south during winter.

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They were virtually extinct at one point, but many successful attempts are being made to conserve them.

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Boxer crab

These small crabs always carry a little sea anemone in each claw, similar to boxing gloves. They have a mutualistic relationship with the sea anemones, which they hold in their claws for defense.

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In return, the anemones get carried around which may enable them to capture more food particles with their tentacles. They are endemic to the country of Libya.

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Sparklemuffin

In 2015, an Australian peacock spider similar to this one was found on the inside of the woodland forests of Wondul National Park, which is located close to Brisbane. Madeline Girard, a researcher at the University of California, was the one who first identified the species and gave it the scientific name maratus jactatus. However, the creature is more commonly referred to by its colloquial name, Sparklemuffin.

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The length of these brightly colored spiders is only five millimeters, but they have a distinctive mating dance in which the male spiders extend one leg to communicate to the female spiders that they are ready to mate.

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Harpy Eagle

The cockatoo & a bird of prey seem to have bred to produce the harpy eagle, which is among the most distinctive species of birds that can be seen anywhere in the world. These birds can weigh more than 20 pounds and have wings that can extend over 7 feet in breadth. They hunt in the jungles of South and Central America. There they prey on huge mammals such as sloths & monkeys.

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The harpy eagle is in danger of extinction due to the destruction of its natural habitat; however, we may see this bird now at Belize Zoo, which is located about an hour far outside Belize City and serves as a refuge for the native species.

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Coatimundi

The coatimundi is a species that is prevalent in South and Central America but also can sometimes be spotted in the American Southwest. Here, it assumes the role of the raccoon inside the food chain, foraging for fruits, rodents, eggs, and lizards in addition to the occasional raid on a garbage can. However, the coatimundi is considered a strange sight in much of the United States.

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We can find coatimundis anywhere from Uruguay to Texas but beware: even though they appear to be friendly and cuddly, reports indicate that coatimundis are poor choices for domestic pets.

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Jabiru Stork

Any fatigued traveler would find it unsettling to meet the piercing, black gaze of a stork that stands approximately five feet tall. These captivating birds have been known to display territorial instincts, as was shown in a notorious incident that took place there at Belize Zoo.

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After an incident in which a jabiru stork attempted to stab unsuspecting people with its huge 14-inch-long bill, the display for that stork has since been updated to include a roof above the guest viewing platform. Small animals, fish, & amphibians make up the majority of a jabiru stork’s diet in its native South and Central America, where it is found naturally.

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Naked Mole Rat

It is not uncommon to come across naked mole rats across East Africa. These rodents live in the dry meadows of Ethiopia, Somalia, & Kenya, where they make their burrows. Because of their particular biological characteristics, these naked mole rats have been a source of consternation for researchers for many years. There is evidence that certain naked mole rats have survived for up to 32 years, which is an exceptionally high lifespan for a rodent.

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They also could withstand the effects of cancer treatment and are able to survive for long periods in environments containing only a trace amount of oxygen. These rats are a common appearance in zoos located all around the United States.

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Pangolin

The only species of mammal known to have scales is the pangolin. Their natural range extends through areas of West and Central Africa, as well as India & Southeast Asia. Whenever they sense danger, pangolins will roll themselves into a ball to defend themselves, using the armor-like covering of keratin scales that protects their bodies. Unfortunately, these insectivores are among the mammals that are transported unlawfully the most frequently over the world.

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Even though there is a worldwide ban on the trading of their scales, the population of wild pangolins has decreased significantly as a result of trafficking. This is because their scales are believed to have medicinal capabilities in certain parts of Asia.

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Tasmanian Devil

The Tasmanian devil seems to be the largest species of carnivorous marsupial that may be found anywhere on the planet. These are nocturnal mammals that carry their children in pouches, and they are more closely connected to wallabies than they are to canines, even though they may look like little dogs at first glance. The Tasmanian devil population has experienced a precipitous decline in recent years as a direct result of cancer that occurs naturally and is known as Devil Facial Tumor Disease.

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However, keepers at the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo, which is a nature sanctuary committed to rehabilitating these rare species and conducting research on the disease, claim that the species are learning to adapt such that they can fight back.

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Echidna

The Tasmanian devil, as well as the echidna, share a portion of the same territory, although the echidna’s range also encompasses mainland Australia. These Echidnas are among just two types of mammals that have been known to lay eggs.

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In spite of the fact that they seem like porcupines, echidnas seem to be actually a direct descendant of the platypus. It is believed that they descended from an aquatic ancestor between 20 and 50 million years ago. Echidnas have long snouts that they use to poke about on the ground of the forest in search of termites & ants to eat.

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Southern Cassowary

The only native Australian bird that does not possess the ability to fly, this cassowary can reach heights of over 6 feet as well as weigh close to 190 pounds. Within Daintree National Park in Australia, tourists get the opportunity to see cassowaries in their natural habitat. Even though cassowaries consume just fruit, one should nevertheless use extreme caution when in their presence.

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They have razor-sharp claws, which have helped them gain the reputation of being “the most dangerous bird in the world.” They will use these claws to protect themselves from dogs & people who come too near to them.

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Bilby

Twenty million years ago, the bandicoot family gave rise to the bilby, a marsupial that resembles a cross between a piglet, rabbit, and bandicoot. This divergence occurred within the family of bandicoots. Nowadays, the bilby has achieved legendary status as Australia’s answer to the traditional figure like Easter Bunny.

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In the month of April, shops in the land down under-stock their shelves with chocolate bilbies in quite an effort to bring attention to the native mammal, whose population has declined by almost 80 percent over the last two centuries. Predation by introduced species like foxes & cats has been a major factor in the continuing reduction of the Bilby population. Alterations to fire patterns and competition for food with exotic herbivores are some other major contributors to this species’ plight.

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Atretochoana

The Atretochoana, an unusual amphibian species, was first identified during an exploration of the Brazilian rainforest in the late 1800s. However, it wasn’t until workers encountered six of these strange, sightless creatures while draining the Madeira River (a tributary of the Amazon) for a hydroelectric project in 2011 that they became widely known. The Atretochoana is nicknamed the “penis snake” due to its limbless body, earthworm-like rings, and a head resembling male genitalia.

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Despite its unusual appearance, the Atretochoana remains largely unstudied. The species is rare, and its biology and behavior are poorly understood. Additionally, its habitat and population size are at risk due to the ongoing construction of the hydroelectric project and other factors such as deforestation and pollution. Conservation efforts must be made to protect this unique species and its habitat.

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Chinese Giant Salamander

The world’s largest amphibian, this critically endangered salamander, can grow up to 5’9″ and weigh as much as 65 pounds. Found primarily in China’s rocky mountain streams and lakes, it has also been introduced in Japan and Taiwan.

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Famous for its diverse vocalizations, from barking and hissing to whining and crying, it has earned the nickname “the infant fish” in China. Sadly, the species is also considered a delicacy and used in traditional medicine. As a result of over-harvesting for food and medicine, the Chinese giant salamander population has declined drastically. Conservation efforts are underway to protect this species and preserve its unique vocalizations and aquatic habitat.

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Clawed Frogs

Frogs of the Xenopus genus are a unique group of 20 aquatic species found in sub-Saharan Africa. Unlike other frogs, they cannot jump and must crawl great distances between bodies of water.

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Their distinctive features include the following: Eyes on top of flat heads; No eyelids or eardrums; The use of front limbs to aid in feeding as they cannot move their tongues.
During dry spells, these frogs can survive by lying dormant until sufficient rain arrives to replenish their habitats.

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Eastern Long-necked Turtle

The Eastern Long-necked Turtle is a unique species commonly found in eastern Australia. With its elongated snake-like neck that is almost as long as its shell, it resembles a reptilian giraffe. This “side-necked turtle” has a unique defense mechanism, where it bends its neck sideways into its shell instead of retracting it.

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When confronted by a threat, it releases a foul-smelling odor from its musk glands, earning it the nickname “The Stinker.” Aside from its unique anatomy, the Eastern Long-necked Turtle is also known for its survival skills, adapting to changing environmental conditions and seeking refuge in its shell when necessary.

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Glass Frogs

Named for their see-through bellies, Glass Frogs belong to the Centrolenidae family and are characterized by their petite size and bright green coloration. Their translucent abdominal skin provides a window into their internal organs, such as their heart, liver, and digestive system.

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In females, it even reveals their eggs. This unusual adaptation makes them visually distinctive and provides an advantage in avoiding predators, as they are mainly nocturnal.

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Mexican Mole Lizard

Mexican Mole Lizard, also referred to as the 5-Toed Worm Lizard is a unique species found exclusively in the Baja California region of Mexico. With a length of up to 9.4 inches, it has a strange appearance, resembling a combination of earthworm, mole, and salamander.

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It has a blunt head, a slender, ribbed, pink body, and two small forelimbs that help it dig underground. Mexican Mole Lizards live near the surface, primarily coming out at night or after heavy rains.

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Spike-Nosed Tree Frog

This unique species of tree frog, known colloquially as the “Pinocchio Frog,” was first discovered during a Conservation International and National Geographic Society expedition to Indonesian New Guinea in 2008. Its striking feature is its elongated nose which becomes rigid and erect when calling to potential mates but remains limp and deflated when not used.

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The species is known to inhabit the rainforest of the Foja Mountains, but little else is known about its behavior and habits. Despite this, its unusual appearance and interesting mating call have gained it a reputation as one of the most unusual species of tree frog in the world.

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Indian Gharial

The Indian Gharial, a unique and alligator-like species, is known for its elongated snout and toothy grin of nearly 100 teeth. With the ability to grow up to 15 feet and weigh 2,000 pounds, these critically endangered reptiles once roamed across South Asia.

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However, today only a tiny population of fewer than 1,000 individuals can be found along rivers in India and Nepal. The gharials are unique in that they have sensory cells in their snouts, allowing them to pick up vibrations in the water to locate prey, making them different from other crocodilians who have to stalk their next meal.

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European Legless Lizard

European Legless Lizard, also known as the Scheltopusik or Palla’s Glass Lizard, is found in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. It is a lizard often mistaken for a snake due to its legless appearance and ability to grow up to 4 feet in length.

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An age-old myth that these lizards would shatter like glass if handled is partially true, as they can break off their tail in self-defense. They are known for their caudal autotomy, a rare defense mechanism. These lizards were even used in the snake pit scene in the movie, “Indiana Jones & the Raiders of the Lost Ark.”

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Amazon Giant Fishing Spider

The Amazon Giant Fishing Spider is a magnificent spider found in South America and can grow up to 8 inches in size. It is characterized by its green, gold, and white body, making it one of the most visually appealing spiders in the world. These semi-aquatic spiders are commonly seen at the edge of pools or streams, waiting for ripples that indicate the presence of prey.

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Once they detect the movement, they run across the water surface to capture and inject venom into their prey, ranging from insects and tadpoles to small fish. In addition to its hunting prowess, the Amazon Giant Fishing Spider has a unique adaptation that enables it to encase itself in a silver air bubble and dive underwater. This makes it one of the few spiders capable of hunting on land and in water, making it a remarkable species.

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Assassin Bug

Assassin Bugs are one of the fascinating insects in the world, known for their unique appearance and hunting skills. They belong to the family of Shield Bugs but have evolved to become deadly predators that feed on ants and bees. Their snout, a long, pointed mouthpart, allows them to penetrate their prey with ease.

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They are also known to camouflage themselves by using ant carcasses to conceal their scent and sticky claws covered in tree sap to capture bees in mid-air. With their impressive hunting skills, Assassin Bugs truly live up to their name.