We like to think that we know everything about the world around us but we are still finding new animals all the time. Here are some the strangest animals that you probably didn’t know existed, and some that you really wish you didn’t.
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The Dugong
First up on our strangest animals countdown, we have the Dougong. This is a medium sized sea-cow that can be found all across the Pacific Ocean. It lives on marine plants but mostly seagrass. It is now a threatened species because it has been hunted for years for its oil and meat. They can live for up to 70 years but rarely have babies.
The Tufted Deer
Who knew that Bambi could look so scary! This small deer is known for the tuft of hair on the back of its head and the big teeth that poke out under its lips. They are mainly found in the wild in China. They are very shy and don’t do well in zoos.
The Aye-Aye
Nightmare fuel ahead! This creepy little guy is the Aye-Aye of Madagascar. They spend most of their time living high up in trees and eat grubs. They are most active at night and use those big eyes and long fingers for hunting. Native traditions say that it is the symbol of death!
The Fossa
If you have seen the movie Madagascar then you might have heard of this animal. Turns out it’s not just a character! The fossa is related to the mongoose family and eats mainly lemurs. They have been known to take small piglets and small children that wander off!
The Gobi Jerboa
This small rodent was discovered in 1925 by Glover Morrill Allen. It lives in the deserts of Northern China and is active during the night when there are fewer predators. They have a diet of insects, seeds and roots. Those big ears make them more like a rabbit than a mouse.
Dumbo Octopus
This little cutie is a type of umbrella octopus that lives in the deep sea. The fins on the body look like big ears, just like Dumbo the Elephant. They grow to around 25 cm but the biggest ever found was 1.8 meters long! They live all over the ocean floor around the world.
The Soft Shelled Turtle
When someone says “turtle” your mind goes straight to a cute turtle in a shell. Turns out there is a soft-shelled one that doesn’t have those scales we all know. In parts of Asia, they are a delicacy and are eaten and farmed like fish.
Pink Fairy Armadillo
This cute little guy is the smallest member of the armadillo family. They do not like to live in captivity and any that have been caught for breeding purposes die within a few days. This has made conserving the species very difficult and it is now endangered.
The Blobfish
This handsome looking devil lives in the deep sea off the coast of Australia, thankfully. The Blobfish was named because that is what it looks like, a big blob. In water, they look very different but due to its skin, it looks like a blob out of the water.
The Maned Wolf
This is not a wolf or a fox. The closest relative it has is the dog. These strange animals hunt alone in the grasslands of Southern America. They have been known to eat small animals, fish and plants. They aren’t keen on humans and run away when they are spotted. No cuddles for them then.
The Naked Mole Rat
This creature looks like the thing that nightmares are made of! It is also known as the “Sand Puppy” but I can’t think why because there is nothing “puppy” like about it. They can be found in the wild in East Africa and spent their time digging underground.
The Goblin Shark
Finishing off our strangest animals list is this handsome guy. This rare deep-sea shark is not rare enough for my liking! Its family tree goes back nearly 125 million years making it a living fossil. Very little is known about them because they live so deep in the ocean. If you ever meet one, don’t worry, it’s a slow swimmer.
