7 Strange & Weird Animal Species You’ll Find Fascinating

Most animals are adorable, others look terrifying… But some are just downright bizarre. Discover Earth’s strangest-looking creatures, some so unbelievably weird, they may as well be from another planet. Here are 7 weird animal species you have to see to believe.

 

1. The Pacu Fish

The pacu fish may look like any other ordinary fish at first sight, but if you look closer, you’ll notice their teeth bear an uncanny resemblance to human teeth. This fish is a relative of the piranha, but they are mostly harmless to humans. Many people believe that pacus bite human testicles, but this is completely untrue.

 

2. Star-Nosed Mole

There is no denying that the star-nosed mole is a really weird animal species. The ‘star’ is actually their hairless nose, with a ring of 22 pink tentacle-like appendages surrounding it. These rays may look really bizarre, but it possesses remarkable sensory skills. With over 100,000 nerve endings packed in an area equal to a human’s fingertip, their rays are extremely sensitive organs. To put things into perspective, a human hand only contains approximately 17,000 nerve endings.

 

3. Irrawaddy Dolphin

The Irrawaddy dolphin is known for its distinctive rounded head, which slightly resembles a beluga. Their lack of beak also makes their appearance different from a typical dolphin. In addition, their dorsal fin is blunt and much smaller compared to the usual dolphin. Sadly, Irrawaddy dolphins are a vulnerable species due to accidental capture and habitat degradation. Conservation efforts are challenging as well due to their proximity to developing communities.

 

4. Red-lipped Batfish

If you’ve ever wondered what a fish looks like with red lipstick, look no further. The red-lipped batfish has a striking red pout that puts Miranda Sings to shame. Even though they’re aquatic creatures, these fish are not good swimmers. Instead of swimming, they “walk” on the ocean floor with their pectoral fins. The red-lipped batfish are usually found at depths of more than 100 feet around the Galapagos Islands.

 

5. Jerboa

Is it a mouse? A bird? Or maybe a kangaroo? The jerboa certainly looks like a mix of all these creatures. These tiny rodents behave similarly to a kangaroo too, and they get around by jumping on their hind limbs. Their unusually long hind limbs are almost four times longer than their forelimbs! A jerboa’s locomotion is very erratic, consisting of skips and jumps, often in a zigzag direction. As such, it takes them more energy to move around compared to other animals their size.

 

6. Blobfish

If you’re on the Internet enough, you’ve probably seen the blobfish making its rounds as a meme. A deepsea creature, the blobfish’s features are a result of living in the depths of the ocean. The blobfish does not have bones or muscle, instead, it relies on the immense pressure for structural support. Hence, when they’re taken out of the water, their appearance looks almost jelly-like.

 

7. The Panda Ant

An ant with markings resembling a panda, the panda ant is more unique than anything. Although it looks adorable, looks and name are deceiving as this insect is actually a wasp! Its sting is also extremely painful, earning the nickname “cow killer”. But don’t worry, their stings don’t actually kill cows and they only sting in defence. In fact, the toxicity of their stings is lower than honey bees.