If you think you know your animals, we’ve got a test for you today! Some animals are so exotic and rare that we think you won’t even know them, so take a look at the following 20 examples and see how knowledgeable you really are about Earth’s creatures!
Goblin Shark
Goblin sharks aren’t winning any awards for their appearance, with their long snout and scary jaws, but humans shouldn’t fear them. Rare sightings occur in depths of 1200 meters in places such as Australia, and even if you do see one, the Australian Museum claims that this species “poses no threat to humans.”
Dumbo Octopus
The dumbo octopus has a strange appearance, with its ear-like fins that have been compared to Dumbo the elephant, which explains its name. They live on a diet of oysters, snails, and bristle worms but have to avoid becoming dinner for other creatures, like sharks. That’s probably why they’re so rare!
Anglerfish
Another rare ocean creature is the anglerfish, one that, honestly, is not so pretty. These ugly fish can grow up to a whopping 4 feet, depending on the breed, of which there are 200, each with its own combination of rod and lure to attract its prey.
Philippine Eagle
The Philippine Eagle is, unfortunately, an endangered species, but if you do spot one, it will likely boast a crazy wingspan of up to 7 feet! This makes it one of the world’s largest eagles, but that’s not all; its eyesight is also eight times better than a human’s, which is rather incomprehensible!
Secretary Bird
The Secretary Bird is an African bird of prey, with its name taking inspiration from secretaries in the 1800s who wore feathered pens around their ears. It has impressive snake-hunting skills, swooping down on its prey in the blink of an eye, leaving no time for escape (or for you to catch a glimpse!)
Aye-Aye
Although this animal’s name sounds made up, the aye-aye is a real and endangered species of lemur from Madagascar. It characteristically uses an extended middle finger to feed by extracting grubs and larvae from tree trunks, which is a highly unique trait not found in many other species. It’s pretty rude, too!
Okapi
If you imagine what a cross between a zebra and a giraffe would look like, the imagined result might resemble the okapi. This animal—if it’s found at all — is found in the rainforests of the Congo, but sadly, it’s another example of a species that is becoming endangered.
Binturong
The binturong is another creature that resembles a combination of two different animals. Sometimes referred to as a ‘bearcat’ because it has features of both, it spends a lot of time in trees, sleeps during the day, and has a varied diet that includes fruit and vegetables, fish, and birds.
Tuatara
The Tuatara is native to New Zealand and is the country’s largest reptile. Amazingly, The Department of Conservation points out that “They keep growing until they are about 35 years old”, which is impressive considering that “A tuatara’s average life span is about 60 years”. That’s seriously big!
Gharial
The Gharial is an Asian crocodilian that lives in the freshwater rivers of India and Nepal, weighing up to a staggering 2000 pounds and growing up to 5ft long! They have been a protected species since the 1970s after poaching drastically reduced their numbers, so we’re hoping they’ll make a comeback!
Mata Mata Turtle
The Mata Mata turtle looks like a horror version of the pet turtle; it uses its long snout to breathe underwater and sensory nerves around the head and neck to compensate for its poor eyesight, camouflaging itself at the bottom of muddy rivers. They’re pretty weird but undeniably cool!
Velvet Worm
Another horror-movie-like creature is the velvet worm, which hunts its prey by shooting slime at it–yes, really! Thankfully, they don’t grow bigger than around six inches; they hate dry environments and prey on spiders, woodlice, and crickets. Thank goodness they’re not any more common!
Kakapo
The kakapo is a flightless parrot native to New Zealand that resembles a combination of a parrot and an owl. As Wired points out, this is exactly why the Latin name means “owl-face soft feather.” It can weigh between 4 and 9 lbs, making it one of the world’s heaviest breeds of parrots!
Blue Dragon Sea Slug
Found in warmer ocean waters, the blue dragon sea slug can appear quite beautiful at first glance, but it’s actually a venomous predator. Interestingly, the blue dragon sea slug’s anatomy has both female and male reproductive organs, making it a hermaphrodite!
Arctic Fox
The Arctic fox has adapted to the harsh Arctic conditions, with its stunning white fur that turns brown in summer. In the wild, this creature only lives between 3 and 6 years, and its food sources include smaller birds and lemurs.
Markhor
Unfortunately, the markhor has been an endangered species since 2015. It’s a species of wild goat that can be found in the mountains of Central Asia. It features impressive spiraled horns. Males are particularly easy to identify, thanks to their long fringes on their throat and chest.
Thorny Devil
The thorny devil is a native Australian lizard covered in thorn-like scales. It absorbs water through its skin and camouflages itself against the brown shades of the desert. The thorny devil is a solitary creature that doesn’t travel too far from the shelters it digs for itself, so you’re unlikely to ever see one.
Narwhal
The Narwhal almost looks like a mythical creature, resembling a combination of a whale and a unicorn, thanks to its spiraled tusk, which is used for hunting and mating rituals. WWF describes this tusk as “An enlarged tooth with sensory capability and up to 10 million nerve endings inside.” They’re seriously alien.
Jerboa
The Jerboa looks like a cross between a mouse and a kangaroo, which could be terrifying if you have a rodent phobia. However, they tend to live in hot deserts, so they’ll never invade your home, which is a relief because they can reach speeds of up to 24 km an hour!
Bornean Elephant
Last but not least, the Bornean elephant is, adorably, the smallest subspecies of elephant. Unfortunately, its worldwide population is less than 1,500, making it endangered. Loss of habitat and hunting are two of the biggest threats, so help spread the word and protect those adorable little elephants!
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