The earth is full of extraordinary creatures, some of which look beautiful, while others are not beautiful. Some even look like alien life forms belonging to a completely different planet. If one imagines what life on another planet would look like, then the rainbow-colored shrimp or the nose-shaped mole star. It should not be misplaced. Some creatures can survive in the most extreme environments, such as deep in the dark ocean, and sometimes adapt to their environment in the strangest ways.
Take the goblin shark as an example. Although this shark can extend its jaw three inches to catch prey, it will not win any awards and become the most beautiful shark in the world. Other creatures are beautiful and charming, but they also pose a threat. Like the sea slug, Glaucus Atlanticus, its name may be difficult to pronounce, but it is one of the most amazing creatures in the ocean. However, it will not be disturbed either because it eats poisonous jellyfish and can use this venom to release a more powerful sting than the jellyfish they eat. Here are the 11 strangest animals in the world.
Glaucus Atlanticus
This animal might look very pretty, but it is very harmful also. The name Glaucus Atlanticus is challenging to pronounce, and this is not the only unusual thing about this small blue sea slug. According to All That’s Interesting, Glaucus Atlanticus is not a sea slug that can play. They eat poisonous jellyfish, and when they come into contact with humans, they release a more powerful sting than the jellyfish they eat. If there is no toxic jellyfish available, these creatures will enjoy each other.
The Panda Ant
Another creature that looks cute and harmless is the panda ant, but this panda-patterned creature is not an ant but a wasp (although females have no wings, making them look like ants). Bored Panda reports that although this wasp is not considered fatal, it can produce excruciating stings. In addition, the publication states that although these wasps can be found in Argentina and Chile, they do not live in colonies.
Peacock Spiders
If you don’t like spiders and think they look creepy, the peacock spider may change your mind because it is beautiful. Or at least, it is very colorful, unlike any other spider you have ever seen. According to CBS News, there are more than 40 species of this spider native to Australia. Although their eye-catching patterns and colors are hard to miss, they are minimal, about 3-5 mm in size.
Okapi
Okapi is an extraordinary and weird animal that looks like a zebra and a giraffe. This animal is a mixed breed of both these animals. Okapi contains stripes like zebras on his body. Okapi is called a forest giraffe due to its trait matching giraffe, and the total no. of okapi in the world is 22,000. This animal can be found in the rainforests of central Africa. Okapis are very shy. In dense trees and bushes, Okapi dogs rely on hearing to warn them of danger.
Sea Pigs or Scotoplanes
Sea Pigs live in the deepest part or bottom area of the ocean. They are 4-6 inches long and can easily fit in your palm. Scotoplanes are small and have their own defense mechanisms to protect themselves from predators. Your skin contains a toxic chemical called a hologram, which is harmful to other organisms. Like all echinoderms, scotoplanes have an underdeveloped respiratory system and breathe through the anus. Their bodies are made for the deep sea, and bringing them too close to the ocean will cause them to disintegrate.
The Shoebill storks
The shoe-billed stork is a patient master. They will stand continuously for hours in the water, large tracts of grass, and other hiding places. Shoebills eat at night and sit quietly, blending in with the darkness around them. The shoe-billed stork can live up to 35 years! It’s is a good age for animals, especially birds.
Thorny Dragon
The mountain devil (Moloch horridus) is another name for the thorny devil (Moloch horridus). It’s a spiny, tiny lizard endemic to Australia that can grow up to 8 inches long. They live in the continent’s interior, where they live in harsh scrubland and desert. The single species in the genus Moloch is the thorny devil, which has a lifespan of six to twenty years.
They are specialized in eating ants. Thorny dragons can change their color according to the weather, these are pale yellow and red in warm winter, and they change their color to deeper in cold winters.
Red Lipped Batfish
The Red Lipped Batfish, scientifically known as Ogcocephalus darwini, is a native of the oceans off Peru and the Galapagos Islands. These batfish can be found at depths of 3 to 76 meters. The Red Lipped Batfish is a member of the latter group that doesn’t look like fish and has odd traits. Their bright crimson lips make them instantly noticeable.
Indian Purple Frog
Frogs come in various colors and shapes, and we would not be surprised to find one among all the rainbow colors. A relatively new frog species discovered in 2003 with a unique color not found elsewhere in the frog family. Yes, believe it or not, it is real.
But “purple” may not be the color you imagine. It is not a bright purple; it is more like an earthy purple, unique to a species known for its wide range of colors. The color ranges from dark on the back to almost light brown on the abdomen and feet. As a result, Indian Purple Frog is considered one of the strangest animals on earth.
Leafy Sea Dragon
Phycodurus eques, or Groult’s sea dragon, is a marine fish related to the seahorse. These sea dragons have been found on Australia’s southern and western coasts and appear in areas with clear water, poor light conditions, and prominent vegetation. These areas include seagrass beds, seagrass beds, and rocks. The leafy sea dragon has a lifespan of up to 10 years. It can maintain this illusion while swimming, looking like large floating algae moving in the water.
Saiga Antelope
The identification of the saiga antelope is not through noticeable markings, but its very strangely shaped nose. It has a long, fleshy nose that hangs over its mouth and can be bulged. WWF reports that this feature helps it breathe in dry, dusty summers, and it can breathe warm air in cold temperatures. Unfortunately, these species are less than 50,000 and are considered critically endangered and endangered because of habitat loss and hunting threats.
We have briefed you about the weirdest and strangest animals on earth. These animals seem like they are from some other planet. We know that you must have enjoyed the topic. Check out other exciting topics in the weird category on our website to learn more about the strangest things on earth you don’t know about.