40 Animals You May Not Have Known Existed

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With an estimate of +- 8.7 million species, it is no wonder that we have so many beautiful creatures on this planet. With many species still not discovered, these photos reminds us of how awesome mother nature is and why we have to make it our priority to look after her.

The sad reality is that scientists estimate that between 150 and 200 species of life become extinct every 24 hours! This mass extinction is due, in large measure, to humankind’s unsustainable methods of production and consumption, including the destruction of habitats, expanding cities, pollution, deforestation, global warming and the introduction of “invasive species”.

Sea Pig


Scotoplanes live on deep ocean bottoms, specifically on the abyssal plain in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean, typically at depths of over 1000 meters. They are deposit feeders, and obtain food by extracting organic particles from deep-sea mud.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Sea Pig

Okapi


This mammal is native to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa. Despite the zebra-like stripes, it is actually more closely related to giraffes.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Okapi

Thorny Dragon


Colored in camouflaging shades of desert browns, this lizard has a “false” head, which he presents to his predators by dipping the real one.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Thorny Dragon

Shoebill


This large stork-like bird gets its name because of the shape of its beak. Even though it was already known to ancient Egyptians and Arabs, the bird was only classified in the 19th century.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Shoebill

Indian Purple Frog


Found in India, this species of frog have a bloated body and an unusually pointy snout; it only spends two weeks a year on the surface of earth, leaving the underground for mating.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Indian Purple Frog

The Blue Parrotfish


This bright blue fish can be found in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, and spends 80% of its time searching for food.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - The Blue Parrotfish

The Bush Viper


Being a carnivore predator, the Bush Viper lives up in the trees of the tropical forests of Africa, and does most of its hunting at night.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - The Bush Viper

The Saiga Antelope

This saiga, spread around the Eurasian steppe, is known for its an extremely unusual, over-sized, flexible nose structure, the proboscis.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - The Saiga Antelope

Glaucus Atlanticus


Also known as the blue dragon, this creature is a species of blue sea slug. You can find it in warm waters of the oceans. it normally floats on the surface because of a gas-filled sac in its stomach.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Glaucus Atlanticus

The Pacu Fish


You probably don’t need much explanation as to why the residents of Papua New Guinea call this fish a “ball cutter.” The local fishermen were really worried about the safety of their testicles when they had to get in the water!

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - The Pacu Fish

Venezuelan Poodle Moth


Discovered in Venezuela in 2009, this new species of alien-looking moth is still poorly explored. Waiting for more info about them!

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Venezuelan Poodle Moth

Hummingbird Hawk-Moth


As this hawk-moth feeds on flowers and makes a similar humming sound, it looks a lot like a hummingbird. What’s interesting is that it is surprisingly good at learning colors.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Hummingbird Hawk-Moth

Mantis Shrimp


Also called the “sea locusts“, “prawn killers” and even “thumb splitters”, this is one of the most common predators in tropical and sub-tropical waters; little is known about them because of how much time they spend hiding in their burrows.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Mantis Shrimp

Umbonia Spinosa


These thorn bugs are related to cicadas, and use their beaks to pierce plant stems to feed upon their sap. Their strange appearance still poses many questions to scientists.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Umbonia Spinosa

Penis Snake


This, uhm… peculiar eyeless animal is actually called Atretochoana eiselti. It is a large, presumably aquatic, caecilian amphibian with a broad, flat head and a fleshy dorsal fin on the body.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Penis Snake

The Panda Ant


The Mutillidae are a family of more than 3,000 species of wasps (despite the names) whose wingless females resemble large, hairy ants. Found in Chile, they are known for their extremely painful stings, hence the common name cow killer or cow ant. Black and white specimens are sometimes known as panda ants due to their hair coloration resembling that of the Chinese giant panda.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - The Panda Ant

Goblin Shark


Goblin sharks inhabit around the world at depths greater than 100 m (330 ft), with adults found deeper than juveniles. Given the depths at which it lives, the goblin shark poses no danger to humans.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Goblin Shark

Red-lipped Batfish


Found on the Galapagos Islands, this fish is actually a pretty bad swimmer, and uses its pectoral fins to walk on the bottom of the ocean.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Red-lipped Batfish

The Dhole


The Dhole is a species of canid native to South and Southeast Asia. The dhole is a highly social animal, living in large clans which occasionally split up into small packs to hunt. It primarily preys on medium-sized ungulates, which it hunts by tiring them out in long chases, and kills by disemboweling them. Though fearful of humans, dhole packs are bold enough to attack large and dangerous animals such as wild boar, water buffalo, and even tigers.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - The Dhole

The Babirusa


Babirusa, meaning “Hog-deer”, are members of the pig family found in Wallacea, or specifically the Indonesian islands of Sulawesi, Togian, Sula and Buru. If a babirusa does not grind its tusks (achievable through regular activity), they will eventually keep growing so as to penetrate the animal’s own skull.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - The Babirusa

Pink Fairy Armadillo


The pink fairy armadillo is approximately 3.5-4.5 inches long, excluding the tail, and is pale rose or pink in color. It has the ability to bury itself completely in a matter of seconds if frightened. It is a nocturnal animal and it burrows small holes near ant colonies in dry soil, and feeds mainly on ants and ant larvae near its burrow. It uses large front claws to agitate the sand, allowing it to almost swim through the ground like it is water. It is torpedo-shaped, and has a shielded head and back.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Pink Fairy Armadillo

The Fossa


The fossa is a cat-like, carnivorous mammal that is endemic to Madagascar. The fossa is the largest mammalian carnivore on the island of Madagascar and has been compared to a small cougar. It has semi-retractable claws and flexible ankles that allow it to climb up and down trees head-first, and also support jumping from tree to tree.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - The Fossa
Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - The Fossa

The Gerenuk


The gerenuk, also known as the Waller’s gazelle, is a long-necked species of antelope found in dry thorn bush scrub and desert in Eastern Africa. The word gerenuk comes from the Somali language, meaning “giraffe-necked”. Gerenuks have a relatively small head for their body, but their eyes and ears are proportionately large. Gerenuks seldom graze but browse on prickly bushes and trees, such as acacias. They can reach higher branches and twigs than other gazelles and antelope by standing erect on their rear legs and stretching their elongated necks.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - The Gerenuk

Naked Mole Rat


This creature has a lot of characteristics that make it very important to human beings. For one it is resistant to cancer. They also live up to 28 years, which is unheard of in mammals of its size. It seemingly does not age much in those 28 years either. It remains “young, healthy and fully fertile for almost all its days, which for an elderly animal is equivalent to an 80-year-old woman having the biological make-up of someone 50 years younger.” The naked mole rat is used in both cancer research and the study of aging. Not only making it a bizarre creature, but an incredibly important creature as well.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Naked Mole Rat

Irrawaddy Dolphin


The Irrawaddy dolphin is a species of oceanic dolphin found near sea coasts and in estuaries and rivers in parts of the Bay of Bengal and Southeast Asia. Genetically, the Irrawaddy dolphin is closely related to the killer whale.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Irrawaddy Dolphin
Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Irrawaddy Dolphin

Markhor


The markhor is a large species of wild goat that is found in northeastern Afghanistan and Pakistan. The species is classed by the IUCN as Endangered, as there are fewer than 2,500 mature individuals. The markhor is the national animal of Pakistan. While chewing the cud, a foam-like substance comes out of its mouth which drops on the ground and dries. This foam-like substance is sought after by the local people, who believe it is useful in extracting snake poison from snake bitten wounds.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Markhor

Yeti Crab


Also known as the Kiwaidae, this crab is a type of marine decapod living at deep-sea hydrothermal vents and cold seeps. The animals are commonly referred to as “yeti crabs” because of their claws and legs, which are white and appear to be furry like the mythical yeti

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Yeti Crab

Snub-Nosed Monkey


Snub-nosed monkeys live in various parts of Asia and get their name from the short stump of a nose on their round face. Snub-nosed monkeys inhabit mountain forests, in the winter moving into deeply secluded regions. They spend the majority of their life in the trees and live together in very large groups of up to 600 members. They have a large vocal repertoire, calling sometimes solo while at other times together in choir-like fashion.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Snub-Nosed Monkey

The Maned Wolf


The Maned Wolf is the largest canid in South America, resembling a large fox with reddish fur. This mammal is found in open and semi-open habitats, especially grasslands with scattered bushes and trees throughout South America. The maned wolf is the tallest of the wild canids and it’s long legs are most likely an adaptation to the tall grasslands of its native habitat.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - The Maned Wolf
Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - The Maned Wolf

Southern Right Whale Dolphin


The southern right whale dolphin is a small and slender species of mammal found in cool waters of the southern hemisphere. They are fast active swimmers and have no visible teeth and no dorsal fin. They are very graceful and often move by leaping out of the water continuously

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Southern Right Whale Dolphin

Southern Red Muntjac


Found in south Asia, it has soft, short, brownish or greyish hair and is omnivorous, feeding on grass, fruits, shoots, seeds, birds’ eggs as well as small animals. It sometimes even displays scavenging behavior, feeding on carrion. It gives calls similar to barking, usually upon sensing a predator. Males are extremely territorial and—despite their diminutive size—can be quite fierce. They will fight each other for territory using their antlers or their tusk-like upper canine teeth, and can even defend themselves against certain predators such as dogs.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Southern Red Muntjac
Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Southern Red Muntjac

Cyphonia Clavata


It is a species of treehopper called Cyphonia Clavata that literally has an ant growing out of its head. Well not literally, the ant-like thing on its head is an appendage that hides the treehopper’s actual body from predators.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Cyphonia Clavata

Sunda Colugo


Also known as The Sunda flying lemur, it is not actually a lemur and does not fly. Instead, it glides as it leaps among trees. It is strictly arboreal, is active at night, and feeds on soft plant parts such as young leaves, shoots, flowers, and fruits. The Sunda Coluga can be found throughout Southeast Asia in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Sunda Colugo

Tufted Deer


The Tufted Deer is a small species of deer characterized by the prominent tuft of black hair on its forehead. It is a close relative of the muntjac, living somewhat further north over a wide area of central China. It is a timid animal, mainly solitary or found in pairs and prefers places with good cover, where it is well camouflaged.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Tufted Deer

Lamprey


Lampreys are a type of jawless fish that live mostly in coastal and fresh waters whose adults are characterized by a toothed, funnel-like sucking mouth. They attach themselves to fish and suck their blood. Lampreys have been around for nearly 300 millions years and their body structure has remained relatively unchanged.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Lamprey
Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Lamprey

Raccoon Dog


The Raccoon Dog, or Tanuki, is a canid indigenous to East Asia. The raccoon dog is named for its resemblance to the raccoon, to which it is not closely related. They are very good climbers and regularly climb trees.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Raccoon Dog
Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Raccoon Dog

Patagonian Mara


The Patagonian Mara is a relatively large rodent found in parts of Argentina. This herbivorous, somewhat rabbit-like animal has distinctive long ears and long limbs and its hind limbs are longer and more muscular than its forelimbs.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Patagonian Mara

The Amazonian Royal Flycatcher


The Amazonian Royal Flycatcher is found in forests and woodlands throughout most of the Amazon basin. They are about 6 1/2 inches in length and like to dart out from branches to catch flying insects or pluck them from leaves. They build very large nests (sometimes up to 6 feet long) on a branches near water. The nest hangs over the water which makes it hard for predators to reach.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - The Amazonian Royal Flycatcher

Zebra Duiker


The zebra duiker is a small antelope found in Ivory Coast and other parts of Africa. They have gold or red-brown coats with distinctive zebra-like stripes (hence the name) Their prong-like horns are about 4.5 cm long in males, and half that in females. They live in lowland rainforests and mostly eat leaves and fruit.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Zebra Duiker

Star-Nosed Mole


The star-nosed mole is a small mole found in wet low areas of eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. It is easily identified by the 11 pairs of pink fleshy appendages ringing its snout, which is used as a touch organ with more than 25,000 minute sensory receptors, known as Eimer’s organs, with which this hamster-sized mole feels its way around.

Animals You May Not Have Known Existed - Star-Nosed Mole

Sources: Imgur, True Activist

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COMMENTS

BLOGGER: 3
  1. Can't believe nobody knows about fossas. Madagascar guys. every watched the movie. There's even a game (which is surprisingly good). Also the game for over the hedge is super good.

    ReplyDelete

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Thinking Humanity: 40 Animals You May Not Have Known Existed
40 Animals You May Not Have Known Existed
With an estimate of +- 8.7 million species, it is no wonder that we have so many beautiful creatures on this planet. With many species still not discovered, these photos reminds us of how awesome mother nature is and why we have to make it our priority to look after her.
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