The world is full of amazing animals, some of which are so strange and unique that they seem like they belong in a sci-fi movie. In this blog post, we’ll introduce you to 8 weird and wonderful animals you’ve probably never heard of before. These animals have fascinating features and behaviours that make them stand out from the rest of the animal kingdom. Read on and discover some of the coolest creatures on the planet!
- Blobfish
The blobfish is a deep-sea fish that lives in the waters just off Australia and New Zealand. It has a gelatinous body that allows it to withstand the high pressure of the ocean depths. However, when it’s brought to the surface, it loses its shape and becomes a blob. Which is why, in 2013, the blobfish was voted the world’s ugliest animal. Shame, hey?
- Axolotl
The axolotl is a type of salamander that lives in the lakes of Mexico. It’s also known as the Mexican walking fish, even though it’s not a fish but an amphibian. What makes the axolotl weird is that it never grows up. It stays in its larval stage for its entire life, retaining its gills and living in water. The axolotl can also regenerate its limbs, tail, and even parts of its brain and heart. How cool!
- Dugong
The dugong is a marine mammal that’s related to the manatee. It has a thick, grey body, a dolphin-like tail, and a downward-facing snout. It feeds on seagrass and can stay underwater for up to 6 minutes. The dugong is also known as the sea cow, and it’s the inspiration for the myth of the mermaid.
- Colugo
The colugo is a tree-dwelling mammal that lives in Southeast Asia. What makes it special is that it has a membrane of skin that stretches from its neck to its feet, which allows it to glide from tree to tree. In fact, the colugo can glide up to 200m in a single leap!
- Barreleye
The barreleye is a small fish that lives in the deep sea. It has a transparent, dome-shaped head that contains its eyes, which are tubular and can rotate in any direction. The eyes are green because they have a filter that helps them see bioluminescent prey. The barreleye also has a mouth that can open very wide, and a long, slender body that’s dark brown or black.
- Babirusa
The babirusa is a type of wild pig that lives in the forests of Indonesia. It has a distinctive appearance, with long, curved tusks that grow from its upper and lower jaws. The upper tusks can pierce through the skin of the snout and curve backwards towards the forehead. The babirusa uses its tusks for fighting and digging. It’s omnivorous, eating roots, fruits, insects, and small animals.
- Pangolin
The pangolin is a scaly mammal that lives in Africa and Asia. It’s also known as the scaly anteater, because it feeds on ants and termites, using its long, sticky tongue. It has a protective armour of keratin scales, which are the same material as human fingernails. When threatened, it can roll into a ball and use its sharp scales as a defence. The pangolin is the most trafficked animal in the world, due to the illegal demand for its scales and meat. It’s critically endangered and needs urgent conservation action.
- Dragon-headed caterpillar
The dragon-headed caterpillar is the larval stage of the butterfly known as the hag moth. It’s found in North America, and it has a very bizarre appearance. It has 6 pairs of fleshy horns that look like dragon heads, which are covered with hairs and spines. The horns are used to scare off predators, as they can secrete a stinging substance. The caterpillar feeds on various plants, such as oak, hickory, and walnut.
That’s it! We hope you’ve learned some interesting things while reading this blog. The world is brimming with weird and wonderful facts, and we’re always happy to spread the word. Of course, that’s not our only passion… We’re also passionate about helping people save with simple cheap insurance! From cars, to caravans, to computers, we’ve got your back on all fronts. Simply click here to get a commitment-free quote, or WhatsApp us on 0860 50 50 50.
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