These animals are creepy, fascinating, adorable, bizarre, and downright strange! We’ve found ten of the weirdest animals on Earth to share with you — from the jungles of Madagascar and the deserts of Argentina, all the way to the darkest depths of the ocean. Let’s take a look!
Image: Dennisvdw / Andrea Santoni
Aye-Aye & Tarsier
- Let’s start with the aye-aye! This bizarre-looking primate can only be found on the island of Madagascar. The aye-aye has rodent-like teeth, bat-like ears, and long, hook-like fingers to scoop out grubs in trees. According to local lore, the aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis) bring bad luck and death, which is why so many have been killed. Oh, did we mention that the aye-aye can hang from trees — thanks to its opposable big toes? Bizarre!
- As you can see, tarsiers have enormous eyes! Each eyeball reaches around 16mm, which is as large as the tarsier’s entire brain. Their eyes are so large that they cannot rotate them, so they must twist their necks to see — just like owls! Not only is the tarsier one of the world’s smallest primates, it’s also the only carnivorous primate known in the animal kingdom.
Image: Izanbar / NOAA
Axolotl & Blobfish
- Is the axolotl cute, frightening, or just strange? You decide! Legend has it that the axolotl is the Aztec god of fire and lightning, with Xolotl disguising himself as a salamander to avoid being sacrificed. Axolotls have the amazing ability to regenerate body organs and lost limbs, without any visible scarring. They’re also completely carnivorous, and can only be found in Lake Xochimilco in southern Mexico City.
- Often called the “world’s ugliest animal”, the blobfish is one of the strangest animals in the world. Blobfish don’t have bones, muscles or teeth — instead, their bodies consist of a jelly-like substance. These deep-sea fish live around 1,000 metres below the water’s surface, where the intense pressure makes them appear “normal”. When the blobfish is brought to the surface, however, its body turns into a limp, floppy mass — which is why it looks like a blob!
Image: Dr Jürgen Otto / Christian Lukhaup
Sparklemuffin & Panda Ant
- A furry spider called ‘sparklemuffin’? Sounds cute, but terrifying! Sparklemuffin is a species of peacock spider which was discovered by UC Berkeley student Madeline Girard in southeast Queensland. This strange dancing spider has an iridescent red-and-blue striped pattern on its abdomen, but that’s not the only reason why it's strange. The sparklemuffin has an interesting courtship ritual which involves dancing, raising a single leg, and wiggling its brightly-coloured abdomen. Adorable!
- Ant, wasp, or panda? The panda ant, also known as the “velvet ant”, is one of the strangest animals in the world. With its furry white head and black and white body, its colouring closely resembles a panda! Don’t be fooled by its cute appearance — it’s actually a Chilean wasp with a painful sting!
Image: Uniquesafarieye / Mariella Superina & Paul Vogt
Pangolin & Pink Fairy Armadillo
- The pangolin, also known as a scaly anteater, looks like a bizarre mix of dragon, dinosaur, and snake! The pangolin is covered from head-to-toe in keratin-based scales, and it’s the only mammal in the world with scales. When threatened, the pangolin curls up into a ball, but it typically walks on its hind legs (like a human!). Unfortunately, the pangolin is one of the most highly trafficked animals in the world due to their lucrative meat and scales.
- With its pink, bony shell — the pink fairy armadillo looks like a strange mix between a mouse and a lobster! This tiny armadillo species is native to Central Argentina, but they’re rarely seen by humans. Thanks to its thin, flexible shell and large claws, the pink fairy armadillo can burrow incredibly quickly — earning itself the name “sand-swimmer”.
Image: NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program / Membio
Ghost Shark & Japanese Spider Crab
- This spooky shark will send a chill up your spine! The ghost shark, also known as chimaera, isn’t really a shark at all. This strange species is related to sharks, but their skeletons are made up of cartilage instead of bone. This creepy, alien-like species lives deep in the ocean — around 1,800 metres below the water’s surface — which is why they were only discovered in 2002.
- The Japanese spider crab looks like a horrifying, spider-like creature from a sci-fi movie. But, in the marine community, they’re regarded as gentle giants! These enormous crabs can grow to around 3.7 metres long, and live for up to 100 years. The giant crustacean lives in the deep waters around Japan. Can you imagine seeing this huge, spider-like crab underwater? Freaky!
Have you heard of these strange animals? These alien-like animals are so incredibly strange, but that’s what makes them unique! Which one is your favourite? Let us know in the comments.
For more bizarre facts about unusual animals, head over to our Eco News category and check out the blogs below!
Rare Deep-Sea Dragonfish Spotted For The Fourth Time In Three Decades!
These African Elephants Are Fighting Climate Change — By Trampling Trees!
Local Scientists Discover Rainbow-Coloured Fish In The Maldivian ‘Twilight Zone’
