Among the 8.7 million species of living things discovered and evaluated on Earth, we will explore 20 unique and unusual species that you may not have known about. Let’s take a journey and uncover these creatures in this article.
#1. Irrawaddy Dolphin
The Irrawaddy Dolphin is a species of oceanic dolphin found in the coastal waters of the Bay of Bengal and Southeast Asia. They have a unique appearance with a rounded forehead and short beak, and are known for their social behavior, often swimming in groups. They are considered a threatened species due to factors such as accidental capture in fishing nets and habitat loss.
#2. Matamata Turtle
The Matamata Turtle is known for its unique and distinctive shell, which is covered in bumps and ridges that help the turtle blend in with its surroundings. Its large, flat head and hooked beak make it look like a piece of bark or a leaf, allowing it to ambush its prey with ease.
#3. Gerenuk
The Gerenuk is a species of antelope that is native to the dry savannas and deserts of eastern Africa. They are known for their long necks and legs, which make them well-adapted to reaching high branches and leaves that other animals cannot reach. Gerenuks are herbivores, primarily feeding on leaves, shoots, and fruits from trees and bushes.
#4. Dugong
The Dugong, also known as the “sea cow”, is a species of marine mammal found in the shallow coastal waters of the Indo-Pacific. With their distinctive appearance, Dugongs are one of the largest herbivores in the ocean, feeding mainly on seagrass.
#5. Glaucus Atlanticus
The Glaucus Atlanticus is a species of small, blue sea slug that can be found floating on the surface of the open ocean. Also known as the blue dragon, it is recognizable by its vibrant blue coloration and unique shape. Despite its small size, it is a fearsome predator and feeds on larger, venomous creatures such as jellyfish and Portuguese man o’ wars.
#6. Sea Pen
Sea Pen is a type of soft coral that belongs to the order Pennatulacea. It has a cylindrical shape and is found in warm, shallow waters all over the world. Sea pens are anchored to the ocean floor, but they have the ability to move and sway with the currents. They feed by filtering small particles of food from the water and are a critical component of many coral reef ecosystems.
#7. Fossa
The Fossa is a large predator native to Madagascar. It is known for its unique appearance which is a combination of physical traits of both cats and dogs. Fossas are excellent climbers and swimmers and feed mainly on lemurs and other small mammals.
#8. Blue Parrotfish
The Blue Parrotfish is a species of marine fish that is found in the Caribbean and Western Atlantic Ocean. They are known for their vibrant blue coloration, which is a result of a mixture of blue, green and yellow pigments in their scales. They are also known for their large size, with adults reaching up to 40 inches in length. They feed primarily on plants and algae and play an important role in maintaining the coral reef ecosystem by maintaining the balance of plant life and preventing overgrowth.
#9. Sea Pig
The Sea Pig is a type of deep-sea holothurian, belonging to the genus Scotoplanes. They are found in the deep waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and are characterized by their plump, pig-like appearance and numerous tube feet used for crawling and feeding on the ocean floor.
#10. Saiga Antelope
The Saiga Antelope is a unique species of antelope found in the grasslands and deserts of Central Asia. They have a distinctive appearance, with a large, bulbous nose and upward-curving horns. Saiga Antelopes form large herds and are known for their fast running ability, which helps them escape from predators.
#11. Pig-nosed Turtle
The Pig-nosed Turtle is a species of turtle that is native to northern Australia and southern New Guinea. They are unique in their appearance, as they have a distinct pig-like snout and large, flat shells. These turtles are also known for their strong, webbed feet that they use to burrow into the mud in search of food.
#12. Pink Fairy Armadillo
The Pink Fairy Armadillo is a small, rosy-colored armadillo species found in central Argentina. They burrow in the sand to escape from extreme temperatures and predators. These solitary creatures are known for their cute appearance and elusive nature, making them a unique and fascinating species in the animal kingdom.
#13. Macropinna Microstoma
Macropinna Microstoma is a species of deep sea fish known for its distinctive, transparent head and large lens-shaped eye. It is a slow-swimming fish that inhabits the mesopelagic zone of the ocean and is believed to feed on small planktonic animals. The fish is also known for its bioluminescent capabilities, making it one of the most intriguing creatures of the deep sea.
#14. Narwhal
The Narwhal is a type of whale that is known for its long, spiraled tusk. These tusks can grow up to 10 feet in length and are actually an elongated tooth. Narwhals live in the Arctic and are adapted to the cold water, with a thick layer of blubber to keep them warm. They feed on fish, squid, and shrimp and are known for their distinctive vocalizations.
#15. Capybara
The Capybara is a species of large rodents that live in South America. They are known for their friendly and social nature, and are often kept as pets. They are also excellent swimmers and love to cool off in water on hot days. Capybaras are herbivores and love to munch on grass, reeds, and aquatic plants. In addition, they are great communicators and make a variety of sounds, from barks to whistles, to express themselves!
#16. Dumpo Octopus
The Dumbo Octopus is a species of deep-sea octopus that gets its name from its large, ear-like fins that resemble the character Dumbo the elephant. It’s a strange and quirky looking creature that can swim vertically and horizontally with ease. Despite its unusual appearance, it’s actually a skilled hunter, using its fins to sense prey and manipulate objects in its environment.
#17. Jerboa
The Jerboa is a cute and quirky little critter! With its big, fluffy tail and tiny legs, this little rodent looks like it hopped straight out of a cartoon. Despite its adorable appearance, the Jerboa is a hardy survivor, able to live in some of the harshest environments in the world. So next time you see one, give it a smile and appreciate its cuteness and resilience!
#18. Manatee
Manatees are large, slow-moving marine mammals known for their distinctive rounded bodies and gentle nature. They are found in coastal waters and rivers in the Caribbean and along the eastern coast of the US. Manatees feed on sea grass and other aquatic plants and can weigh up to 1,200 pounds.
#19. Giant Solfshell Turtle
The Giant Softshell Turtle is a species of freshwater turtle that is known for its extremely large size and distinctive, leathery shell. They are found primarily in rivers and lakes in Southeast Asia and can grow up to 2 meters in length. These turtles are considered a delicacy in some cultures and are also hunted for their skin, which is used to make leather products.
#20. Tufted Deer
The Tufted Deer is a small species of deer native to central China. They are known for their distinctive tuft of black hair on their forehead and their large, shining eyes. They feed on bamboo leaves, grasses, and shrubs and are active both day and night.
