13 of the World's Weirdest Creatures

By
Manon Verchot
Manon Verchot
Writer
  • Columbia University
  • University of Kent
Manon Verchot is an environmental journalist. She has worked in many countries, but now lives in New York and is a digital editor for Mongabay.
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Updated September 21, 2020

Earth is home to more than a million known animal species, from tiny dust mites and tardigrades to enormous elephants and whales. There are also countless others out there still waiting to be discovered, but even among the animals we already know about, the biodiversity is mind-boggling.

Here are a few of examples of how wide-ranging our fellow animals can be.

1
of 13

Red-lipped Batfish

credit: Rein Ketelaars

This odd little creature is from the Galapagos Islands. It’s a terrible swimmer so it has a little protrusion from its head for attracting prey.

2
of 13

Dumbo Octopus

credit: NOAA/Flickr

This little octopus has ear-like flaps that act as little fins. It tends to live at extreme depths and eat food from the sea floor.

3
of 13

Yeti Crab

credit: Dodie/Flickr

The name feels appropriate. This little guy was discovered back in 2005 in the South Pacific Ocean. It lives near deep ocean vents.

4
of 13

Lowland streaked tenrec

credit: Frank Vassen/Flickr

It's spiky and cute! The Lowland streaked tenrec is found in Madagascar. It eats worms and insects.

5
of 13

Patagonian Mara

credit: Martin Pettitt/Flickr

It's a rabbit - no, wait! - it's a kangaroo? Nope, meet the Patagonian Mara. It comes from Argentina. These little guys are monogamous.

6
of 13

Lamprey

credit: Geoff Parsons/Flickr

Kind of scary... This fish is jawless. Some species of lamprey suck the blood of other fish.

7
of 13

Japanese Spider Crab

credit: Choo Yut Shing/Flickr

It's hard to give a sense of scale to these guys, but their leg span can reach up to 12 feet!

8
of 13

Shoebill

credit: Toshihiro Gamo/Flickr

This birds' mouth curve makes it look delighted all the time.

9
of 13

Maned Wolf

credit: Mario Pineda/Flickr

It looks like a fox with dear legs, but it's actually a wolf! It can be found in parts of South America.

10
of 13

Bush viper

credit: static416/Flickr

This viper is found in Central Africa and spews out neurotoxic venom.

11
of 13

Pink Fairy Armadillo

credit: Makuahine Pa'i Ki'i/Flickr

This is the smallest type of armadillo in the world - it grows up to 4.5 inches long - and can be found in Central Argentina. When it rains pink fairy armadillos have to leave their underground habitats so they won't drown, but this increases the risk it will be spotted by a predator.

12
of 13

Hummingbird moth

credit: Dwight Sipler/Flickr

This moth is so big it it often mistaken for a hummingbird.

13
of 13

Blue Dragon - Glaucus Atlanticus

credit: Sylke Rohrlach/Flickr

This is actually a type of sea slug that likes to munch on Portuguese Man o’ War.