Fish, monkeys, lizards, moles, and many other animals seem like science fiction and that makes us realize the great biodiversity of species that nature harbors and that we must protect as part of our legacy for future generations.
Nature knows what it is doing and provides all living beings with what they need to survive and adapt adequately to their environment.
But, sometimes, we see beings with which, when we touch them with her magic wand, she seems to have acted capriciously or, simply, to have been those days of rest.
Or, what we may not know is that their curious appearance responds to some objective, generally related to evolution and survival. And the fact is that, no matter how much man studies living beings, he will never be able to know all the species that populate the planet.
That is why, from time to time, we have new findings of strange animals that, until now, had never been seen.
Like the ones, we show you below.
What habitat do the most curious animals in the world belong to?
The animal in the world comes from the marine habitat, although it must also be recognized that year after year new species of not so common animals, such as dogs and cats, are discovered.
Indeed, explorations of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems worldwide have yielded nearly 18,000 new species identified by science.
These include everything from microorganisms to vertebrates that already have a name and surname. But it is estimated that there are about 5 million species, of which only about 1.5 million species have been fully identified with the necessary scientific rigor.
In fact, more than 99% of the animals that live in the deep sea are a real mystery to man, despite the great advances in science and technology.
What are the rarest animals in the world today?
Antarctic Yeti Crab
With a size between 0.5-15cms, the Kiwa Tyleri is a crustacean as rare as it is brave because it has managed to survive in the extreme and permanent conditions of the Antarctic region, one of the coldest on the planet.
Yeti crabs are this species from the cold waters of Antarctica that has a great peculiarity: its entire body is white and hairy, with an appearance that openly competes with the mythical Hairy Man of the Snows.
This species is the third discovered after the discovery of the first Yeti crabs, sighted by science for the first time in 2005, in the vicinity of Easter Island, in the Pacific Ocean.
It is an extremely rare species, devoid of eyes and living in the deep sea, at a depth of 2,300 meters or more, where it is not possible for other species to live due to the accumulation of toxic fluids.
As they are used to living in extreme conditions, deprived of solar light, they have managed to cultivate their own food, present in the hairs that sprout from their legs and chest.
The discovery of this unique species occurred in the so-called hydrothermal vent located on the crest of the Scotia plate, in East Scotia Ridge, where thousands of these crabs were found at a depth of more than 2,600 meters, congregating about 700 specimens per square meter.
This habitat is very particular because although the Scotia plate is always above freezing point, there are vents through which flows water with temperatures that easily exceed 400ºC, water that of course after exiting cools very quickly when escaping through the vents.
Right at that point, very close to that crack is where the Yeti crab survives. If it gets too close it can get scorched and if it gets too far away it will freeze.
According to a ranking provided by the prestigious National Geographic magazine, the following animals are illustrious competitors of the Yeti Crab, within the list of the most curious species on the planet.
Lizard Leiolepis ngovantrii
It is so curious that the female does not need the male to reproduce, it does it alone through a cloning process.
It is a very popular lizard in Vietnamese cuisine, even in gourmet restaurants.
Although other species of lizards can also self-reproduce by possessing only one sex, it is common for the female to achieve spontaneous ovulation, which allows it to produce offspring of the same genetic code.
Wood-eating panache
In the wonderful Amazon, a new species of Panaque was discovered, belonging to the loricariidae species, capable of feeding on the wood of fallen trees on the banks of the Santa Ana River in Peru.
The discovery of this curious species of Panaque or xylophagous fish, native to the Santa Ana River, in the heart of the Amazonas Peruvian Amazon, has been considered by the scientific community as a very important finding celebrated worldwide.
Since ancient times, this species has been part of the diet of the indigenous communities of the area, either in broths or barbecues. They recognize them under the name of giant carachama.
That is, it is a kind of large catfish that measures up to 80 centimeters long and its fleshy skin is attached to a shell or a kind of armor that protects them.
This species, discovered about ten years ago, has powerful oval teeth and belongs to the genus of wood-eating catfish. This species digests in less than 4 hours, without causing any damage.
Pink fish with hands
Incredibly, this rare bottom-dwelling fish uses its fins to move around in the depths, not to swim.
It belongs to one of 9 species of Brachionicthydae included in a review of the scientific community that classifies it within the fish with hands.
Specifically, only 4 species of this pink species have been identified with hands of about 10 centimeters in length. They live on the Australian island of Tasmania and Hobart Island.
In fact, in the shallow waters located southeast of the Australian mainland have been obtained these specimens of fish with hands, 14 species identified to date.
Beaked Toad or Rhinella.
Discovered in western Colombia by a group of scientists determined during 2010 to find rare species of amphibians.
They stumbled upon a toad with a pointed nose that was quickly identified with the evil character from the world-famous series The Simpsons, the wealthy Mr. Burns.
That is why this unique amphibian is also called the Simpson’s Toad. It is only 2 centimeters long and among the studies carried out by the expedition scientists, a very unusual one stands out:
This toad does not live through the tadpole phase of its life cycle. The females lay their eggs in the jungle habitat where they develop, which hatch later as fully formed toads.
Monkey without a nose
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Also known as the snub-nosed monkey or Rhinopithecus strykeri, this rare species native to Burma is endangered as a result of human predation.
They are hunted for their meat. Only one specimen of this species has been analyzed by the scientific community after it was killed by unscrupulous hunters.
Ninja Slug
Discovered in the Borneo region, deep in the mountains of Malaysia, this elusive animal has a tail three times longer than its head.
The amazing thing about this not at all pleasing to the eye species is that when in heat, the ninja slug throws darts composed of hormones and calcium carbonate at its mate.
Tube-nosed bat
The Nyctimene albiventer, or fruit-eating tube-nosed bat, is one of about 200 species discovered during a 2009 expedition to Papua New Guinea.
It has the habit of watering the seeds of the fruits it eats, thus helping to conserve the biodiversity of the planet’s tropical forests.
Aye-Aye
They are recognized because their appearance is similar, very similar to the gremlins of the famous Hollywood movie.
They live in Madagascar. They are primates involved in a Dantesque fable that associates them with the sudden death of whoever is pointed by the longest finger of an Aye-Aye.
It is in extinction, there are only about 2,500 Aye-Aye left, which leads us to believe that this species has been overtaken by the criminal hand of man.
Sangijuela T.rex
In the most unexplored areas of the Amazon, a species of leech called Tyrannobbdella rex was discovered.
It measures about 9 cm and its teeth are quite long, although its bite is practically harmless according to observations made in scientific studies of this curious little animal.
However, its prominent teeth gave it part of its name, alluding to the powerful teeth of the emblematic dinosaur of the cave age: tyrannosaurus Rex.
Squid worm
Discovered by the Census of Marine Life research team, it is a very rare species that owes its name to the tremendous resemblance it bears to the two animals that give it its name.
It belongs to the family of annelids or polychaetes.
It lives at a depth of 2,800 meters and was seen for the first time in the Celebes Sea in 2007, near the Philippine Islands.
Pacu fish
It lives in the Amazon and when it reaches adulthood has an estimated size of about 90 cm with a weight of up to 25 kilograms.
But apart from its tasty meat, very popular in the world of good gastronomy, this fish is considered curious because its teeth are very similar to those of a human.
Another curious fact is that there have been cases of Pacu fish that are fond of biting the testicles of bathers. For example, in Papua New Guinea, where also lives this fish is typical of tropical regions, it is called the «ball cutter» for this not common and much less desired hobby.
Star-nosed mole
This curious mammal native to the north of the American continent can weigh more than 50 kilograms and measure between 15-20cm.
It has 44 teeth and 22 pink tentacles, very flexible and mobile at the end of its snout, which help it enormously.
Because they have a very high tactile sensitivity, which enhances their ability to grasp insects, worms, and crustaceans. In other words, they help him to feel like a king.
Spotted fish
It is perhaps one of the rarest and ugliest species of the deep sea. Its habitat is located in Australian waters (east) and New Zealand. Its appearance is gelatinous, therefore repulsive.
As its slimy body has a lower density than water, it can float freely along the top of the seafloor. Its scientific name is Psychrolutes microporos.
15) Coconut palm crab
Known as Birgus latro, the popularly known coconut palm crab has a special ability to open coconuts with its spectacular and strong pincers.
It lives in both the western Pacific and the Indian Ocean.
Although its appearance is frightening, it is actually a harmless animal that weighs more than 4 kilograms and measures up to half a meter.
Amur Leopard
The Amur leopard, also known as the Siberian leopard, is one of the rarest leopard subspecies, with only about 50 specimens in the world today. It is found in the Russian region of Primorye, and in some regions of China bordering Russian territory.
Its threat of extinction is considered critical by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The specimen you see in the image above is the Amur leopard named Usi, which is at the Omaha Zoo in Nebraska.
Pink Armadillo
This pink armadillo is native to Argentina and measures approximately 10 centimeters, making it the smallest of the armadillo family.
It lives mainly in sandy and dry areas where shrubs abound and, as its name indicates, its body is pale pink.
Uakari
The Uakari is a primate from the tropical forests of the Amazon, in South America.
It lives in a community and chooses the most swampy areas. With thick hair covering their body, they have, however, a bald head and this is very striking. This, together with their red face, makes them look as if they were sick.
Irrawaddy dolphin
The Irrawaddy dolphin is a very curious-looking dolphin that inhabits the coasts of Southeast Asia. Many people think it is a river dolphin but it actually lives in the ocean, close to the coast, and frequently approaches rivers and estuaries.
Its appearance clearly differentiates it from the stereotypical dolphin we all think of.
It has a certain resemblance to Pac-Man, the Pac-Man-eater, doesn’t it?
Gazelle-giraffe or Litocranius walleri
The gazelle-giraffe or Litocranius walleri is typical of the arid areas of Africa, such as Kenya, Tanzania, or Ethiopia. Needless to say the most striking feature of this animal is. Even in the Somali and Swahili languages, it is known as «giraffe gazelle» because of its imposing neck.
This allows it to reach higher and cooler leaves, but also makes it an appetizing target for predators.
Cuban Funnel Eared Bat
The peculiarity of this species is the funnel shape to which its ears attend, as indicated in the name attributed to this Cuban bat. Thanks to it, this bat can tune its hearing much better. And as we can see, its teeth are pointed.
Like many other rare species, this animal is in danger of extinction, since its habitat is being occupied by a man and there are not many known specimens.
Sumatran Rhino
Known for being the smallest rhino species and having the most primitive characteristics, the Sumatran rhino has long been a target of hunters due to the value of its horns.
Currently, the threat to the species is also considered critical, and the number of individuals is currently estimated at less than 275 individuals.
The Sumatran rhino you see in the image above (and he seems to emerge from the shadows) is Harapan, who is only four years old and lives at the White Oak Conservation Center in Florida. A rare, but beautiful animal, best kept.
Me gusta colaborar con esta página porque desde bien joven me ha encantado el funcionamiento de la naturaleza y la biología. Tenía claro que quería estudiar algo relacionado con estos temas y por eso me acabé decidiendo por Biología.
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