The fauna of our planet is rich. It is represented by a huge number of species. All of them have a variety of sizes, colors, shapes and, as a rule, are familiar to man. However, there are some of the strangest animals on our planet that can be compared to characters in a science fiction film. And sometimes when looking at individual specimens it may seem that they came to us from other dimensions. Some of these fauna are almost unknown to most people. They live in places inaccessible to humans, or, being on the verge of extinction, have a limited number of individuals. Consider the top 10 most strange animals that many people have never even heard of in their lives.
Octopus Dumbo
Opens the first 5 of the strangest animals grimpotevtis. This is a funny octopus, the first mention of which appeared only in 1999. An amazing creature was shot on video in 2009. These most strange animals of the planet can live at significant depths. Their habitat is located from 100 to 5000 m from the water surface. However, some species are also found within 7 thousand meters. Such significant depths chosen for life, distinguish this octopus from all living on the planet. Indeed, in these strata of ocean waters you can find representatives of only this species.
Such an unusual name, the mention of which immediately recalls an elephant calf with large ears, the octopus received because of its two fins of an unusual shape. They are located on both sides of the bell-shaped head of individuals who have never seen sunlight. These are the strangest animals on the planet (photo below) are represented by more than 37 species.
Grimpotevtis literally soar above the seabed. This allows them to do the reactive type of movement that these animals use. At the bottom, they look for crustaceans, crustaceans and mollusks, which serve as the main food for the octopus.
If we compare Dumbo with other animals, we can say that it is an amazing variety of the entire family of octopuses. Its feature is that this marine inhabitant swallows its prey whole.
These are the strangest animals of the planet, living at considerable depths, are a semi-shaded or soft-bodied creature with fins resembling elephant ears. Individuals of mature age reach a length of 20 cm.
During its hunt, the octopus emerges from the bottom surface and as if soars above it, looking for prey. He moves thanks to the pulsating movements made by his webbed feet. At the same time, water passing through the funnel of jet propulsion creates the necessary impulse, allowing this unusual animal to move in the right direction, heading with the help of large fins. At that moment, when the octopus Dumbo has a need to quickly overtake his victim, he repeatedly increases speed. With the same amazing speed, the strangest animals in the world are hiding from the predators chasing them. Scientists attribute the Dumbo octopus to a very rare species of octopus, capable of shedding its upper transparent skin layer.
Researchers have gathered many interesting facts about these oddest animals in the ocean. So, males and females of this type of octopus differ not only in size, but also in the patterns on the suction cups, as well as their size.
Young individuals of grimpotevtis emerge from eggs. Each of them hatches individually by the female. Dumbo octopus eggs are large in size. Thanks to this, newborns immediately look quite mature.
It is worth noting that these most strange animals in the world by scientists have not yet been fully studied. But the obvious fact is that the species in question is not threatened with extinction.
Darwin's Bat
This species of fish, living near the coast of Peru and the Galapagos Islands at a depth of 3-76 m, continues our top 10 most strange animals in the world. A characteristic feature of the bat, named after Charles Darwin, is its lips, very similar to the lips of a man. But that is not all. The batfish’s lips are bright red. Why is one of the strangest animals on the planet this provocative shade, scientists can not fully explain. There is an assumption that such lips help fish in hunting (to lure prey), and also serve to attract individuals of the opposite sex.
This fish also got into the top of the strangest animals on our planet because of its large head, an unusual body, which has a strong horizontal flattening, and also short “wings” located on it. The latter allows you to compare the appearance of a bat Darwin with a bat.
This fish feeds on mollusks, crustaceans and small fish. And she swims very badly. For movement, the animal uses pectoral fins, which are adapted for "walking" along the ocean floor. Mature individuals grow to a length of 20 cm. When puberty is reached, the fin located on the head of this fish increases in size and becomes like a fishing rod. Darwin’s bat also uses this body part to lure its victims.
Drop fish
The top 10 most strange animals that inhabit our planet, continues this marine inhabitant, who prefers to exist off the coast of New Zealand, Tasmania and Australia at a depth of 600 to 1200 m.
The English call it "toad fish," or "Australian goby." This representative of the deep sea is considered the strangest animal on the planet because of the unique structure of its body. This makes it unlike any of the most famous fish.
The body length of individuals of this species ranges from 30 to 70 cm. Moreover, it is impossible to detect either fins or scales on it. The body of a drop fish is similar to a jelly mass, the weight of which sometimes reaches 12 kilograms. The eyes of this species are huge and look sad. Unusual in drop fish and nose. In its form, it is similar to the human.
What else is known about these strangest animals? They, unlike other fish, lack a swimming bladder. At such a great depth, there is simply no need for it. A drop fish floats due to its gelatinous structure. It supports the animal and allows it not to waste unnecessary efforts during movement. This fish swims due to the flow. However, she widely opens her mouth in the hope that food will fall into her. A drop of fish awaits its victim even in those moments when it hangs motionless above the seabed. The main source of nutrition is small invertebrates, as well as plankton. However, a drop fish is not picky. For food, it suits almost everything that meets on the way. Looking at the photos of the strangest animals, it becomes obvious that the whole body of this fish consists of a clot of transparent gel. This substance is produced using an air bubble inside the animal’s body.
A drop fish is inedible to humans. Moreover, it is even contraindicated for use as food. This species is on the verge of extinction only due to the fact that it very often gets along with mollusks into fishing nets.
Scientists still cannot collect complete information about this one of the strangest animals on Earth. However, they have a very interesting fact regarding the care of drop fish about their offspring. She does not leave the fry unattended, feeds them, protects them and chooses for them the safest and quietest places in sea waters. According to this characteristic, many of the living creatures of our planet cannot compare with a drop fish.
Musk deer
When studying images of these very strange animals (photo below), their huge fangs are the first to be seen. Because of this, such deer are called vampires. However, everything is not so scary. Fangs are used by musk deer for good purposes only. With their help, males scare away their rivals.
In the literal sense, musk deer can hardly be called deer. After all, they lack horns, and their body size is too small. This species is considered a specific transitional form between miniature deer and red deer. But nevertheless he is closer to the first option.
Basically, this is the strangest animal in Russia. On the territory of our country is almost 80% of the total number of individuals living on the planet. You can meet them in Sakhalin and the Far East, in the mountains of Siberia and Altai, as well as in the Sayan Mountains. The remaining 20% of the population is distributed in Korea, Nepal, China and Mongolia.
Such deer live on the slopes of the mountains. The habitat allows musk deer to easily escape from predators who are not able to climb their prey on almost vertical slopes. For a good “grip” with a stone, these deer have a soft rim of horn fabric on their hooves. You can also meet musk deer in the dense fir forests. Their animals are chosen to quickly find food. After all, they feed on bushy and bearded lichens, growing, as a rule, on the branches and trunks of conifers.
The size of the musk deer is small. This deer is tall with a large dog. In height, it can grow up to 70 cm, and in length - up to 1 m. The front legs of the animal are one third shorter than the hind legs. That is why the back of their body is located slightly higher than the front. Males differ from females in their sharp saber-shaped fangs. They stick out of their mouth and reach a length of 7-9 cm. Females are deprived of such “beauty”.
However, in the top 10 most strange animals of the world, these deer were not only because of their fangs. Their main "trick" is still considered the musky gland, which is located in males on the belly. Thanks to her, a pleasant smell comes from animals.
Stargazer
This animal is included in the list of animals with the strangest snouts. Outwardly, he is very similar to an ordinary mole. However, he entered the list of the strangest animals in the world (photo of a starfish) below because of his unusual nose, which immediately attracts attention. At the very tip of the stigma of the animal there are eleven growths on each side. This is the organ of touch of the starfish, which is in constant motion. Scientists have found that with his miraculous nose, the animal is able to check up to 13 objects in one second. This is the uniqueness of this animal. After all, his nose is considered the most sensitive organ of touch on the planet.
They belong to the family of moles. The animal's habitat is the eastern region of North America. Like the most common types of moles, it digs passages underground, throwing unnecessary soil out, which allows the animal to leave characteristic mounds behind itself. The starfish feeds on larvae, worms, small fish and crustaceans.
It differs from other mole animals not only by its nose. Unusual is his lifestyle. Stargazer, for example, is a great swimmer. He spends a lot of time in the water, where he hunts. Part of its underground passages will certainly be located in the direction of water bodies.
From the usual mole, the animal and its fur are distinguished. It is more rigid and does not get wet in water. The animal does not hibernate. In winter, he is able to get food under the snow and ice.
Crane AI
This amazing animal lives in Madagascar. When you look at him, it seems that the animal has just been removed from the electric chair. Ai-ai has an almost bald head, bulging eyes, large protruding ears, a raised fur of a dark color, a bulging fluffy tail, and also twisted fingers. It is the appearance of the animal that allows it to be included in the top of the most strange animals in the world, photos and names of which are surprising for those who get acquainted with such representatives of the fauna for the first time.
A small arm is found in the forests of Madagascar. Due to the unusual appearance of the animal, the natives of the island decided that this small creature is the creature of hell and the source of all their troubles. That is why when meeting with the little arm they always tried to kill her, which led the animal to the brink of extinction. Contributed to this and the destruction of places that ah-i chose for his habitat.
Madagascar hand-arm is referred to a group of half-monkeys. For the first time, the animal was discovered by the French natural scientist Pierre Sagnier in 1780. The researcher described the arms, considering this animal to be a tropical rodent. However, somewhat later, scientists nevertheless came to the conclusion that ah-ah is a lemur that deviated from the general group during evolution.
The main feature of the animal is its middle finger, located on the arm. It is very long, thin, practically has no soft tissues. The finger, along with the incisors, serves as the main tool for the arms to get food. He picks holes in dry wood with them, pulling out insects and larvae from there. The finger is used by the beast and as a drumstick to tap wood. By the sound, ai-ai determines those places where the larvae are located. In addition to the arms, scientists know only one animal on the planet, which thus uses its own finger. This is a small New Guinean couscous, which refers to marsupial flying squirrels.
Angora rabbit
This animal is rightfully included in the list, which contains the strangest pets. The baby is so fluffy, then at first glance it is difficult to determine that it is a bunch of fluff or a living creature.
Angora rabbits appeared a very long time ago. They brought them to Turkish land. The name of the breed comes from the city of Ankara, the former name of which is Angora. It is believed that this fluffy animal is one of the oldest breeds of rabbits bred at home. In the 18th century fluffy animals thanks to the French sailors who bought them for gifts, came to Europe. Thus, the animal appeared in France. Here, it quickly gained popularity with the local nobility, which kept Angora rabbits as their pets. Loved these cute animals and members of the royal family. A little later, in the 19th century, the whole world learned about Angora rabbits.
A special sign of these animals is their extremely spectacular appearance. It is created by unusually fluffy hair. In some individuals, its length reaches a length of 80 cm. However, these animals are kept not only for their pleasant appearance and cute disposition. Their coat is highly appreciated. It is silky to the touch, while almost all of it is fluffy hair. When wool is included in the fabric, wonderful light and soft things are obtained. This can be not only sweaters and coats, but also gloves, stockings, underwear, scarves, etc.
Shear rabbits twice a year. At the same time, approximately 0.5 kg of wool is obtained from each of them. This, of course, is not much, but that is why such raw materials are valued expensively.
The maintenance of such kids is a very troublesome task. Difficulties in care arise precisely because of the wonderful hair of animals. Once a week, it should be combed out thoroughly and trimmed periodically. If hair care is not carried out, then soon the rabbit will lose its attractive appearance and become ugly. In addition, it is necessary to ensure that the animal does not eat its own wool. After all, it will gradually accumulate in the intestine and will cause the death of the animal.
Fluffy rabbit is represented by several breeds. The most famous of them are English and French, satin and giant, and, of course, Angora. Representatives of each of these breeds can be distinguished in appearance, and the common thing that each of them has is unusual fluffy wool.
Living stone
This unusual sea creature is in eighth place on the top of the strangest animals of our planet. In appearance, it looks like a small section of rock that has broken away from its slope but is still on it. The strangest thing is that living stones are absolutely motionless. They are constantly in the same place, but at the same time they feed, absorb water and pass it through their bodies, thereby filtering out plankton, microorganisms, as well as organic residues that are in the deep sea in suspension.
The transparent blood of stone-like creatures has vanadium in its composition. This is a fairly rare mineral. In addition, animals, which biologists call ascidia, have male or female signs. , .
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The ascidian habitat is the coastal zone of the ocean. You can find living stones in them at a depth of 80 m near the coast of Peru or Chile. Locals eat them both raw and stewed. These so-called "sea tomatoes" are considered a popular delicacy in South American countries. Europeans who have tasted dishes from a strange sea creature describe its bitter taste, comparing ascidium with a soapy piece for some reason, and even with the taste of iodine.
Sponge lyre
In the waters of the oceans there are many living creatures, some of which far from every person is familiar with. And even though scientists, using modern equipment, have already studied almost all the depths, they still continue to periodically come across new, previously unheard organisms. For example, relatively recently, biologists made another amazing discovery. They became a marine predator, in appearance resembling a musical instrument. This strange animal, similar to lyre or alpha, was discovered off the northern shores of California by specialists from the Institute for Underwater Research. When exploring the bottom in Monterey Bay, their remotely controlled deep-sea equipment unexpectedly revealed a creature previously unknown to humans. An outlandish find was raised to the surface. By the definition of biologists, a sea creature turned out to be a carnivorous sponge. The body structure of this animal is very similar in shape to a musical instrument. In this regard, scientists gave him such a melodic name - sponge-lyre.
In the body structure of this animal there are several blades. At the same time, it seems that strings are stretched over them. Musical talent, this sponge is no different. She is a first-class hunter. On the branches of her limbs is a large number of small hooks. Clinging to them, the victim is almost impossible to get out. The sponge wraps it in its thin membrane and begins to digest slowly.
Armored Armadillo
There are a lot of unusual and strange animals on our planet. Putting them all on a small list is very difficult. Top 10 most strange animals on Earth ends with a beast that can be found in Latin America.
The inhabitants of these countries call the armadillos living there “armadillo”, which means “pocket dinosaurs”. Such an expression indicates not only the appearance of these animals, but also the long period of their existence on Earth. After all, it is believed that armadillos live on our planet for almost 55 million years. Despite changing environmental conditions, they have survived and are currently continuing their breeding. The strong shell, which gave them their name, helps animals not die for such a long time.
Almost everyone knows about armadillos and can easily recognize these animals in the photograph. But this beast has such rare species that not all Latin Americans are familiar with them. One of them is the lamellar armadillo. This species has two more names. One of them is a pink fairy, and the second is a pink armadillo.
These animals live only in some areas of Argentina, preferring sandy and dry plains, as well as meadows on which bushes and cacti grow.
The pink fairy is considered one of the smallest animals in the family of armadillos. Adult individuals have a body length of 9 to 15 cm with a weight of only 90 g. The peculiarity of the pink battleship lies in its unusual shell. It is attached to the back of the animal with just one long thin strip, as well as two short ones located near the eyes. The armor structure is 24 clawed thick plates. Such a structure of the shell allows the animal to easily curl up into a ball. At the same time, it not only serves to perform a protective function, but also contributes to the establishment of thermoregulation of the body.
The armor of this animal is like a cloak on its back. Yet the rest of the body is covered with thick fur. It is a silky coat that can warm an animal in cold nights.
The clad armadillo is the owner of a pink tail. This part of the body gives the animal a somewhat comical look. Moreover, the tail, reaching 2.5-3 cm in length, constantly drag along the ground. After all, simply cannot raise its animal, which has miniature dimensions.