The animal kingdom is pretty amazing. Our world is full of animals we have never seen or heard of before. Even with all the technology we possess, scientists are still discovering new forms of life in a trail of research that may stretch on forever. Here are 20 amazing animals who are located all over the world.
Axolotl
Also known as the Mexican Walking Fish, this bizarre creature is intensely studied by scientists because of its unique ability to regenerate its limbs. The critically endangered species almost went extinct in 2010, but luckily it is still hanging on.
Chinese Giant Salamander
True to its name, this animal is HUGE. It can grow up to 5’9″ long, and the largest ones weigh 65 pounds. This fish is harvested as both traditional medicine and a delicacy.
Clawed Frog
These frogs, commonly found in sub-Saharan Africa, are incapable of hopping. Instead, they craw long distances between ponds. If the lakes or ponds the frogs inhabit dry up, the creatures can go dormant for up to a year waiting for rain.
Eastern Long-Necked Turtle
This turtle doesn’t retract into its shell like an ordinary turtle; instead, it bends sideways into its protective home. These bizarre creatures can protect themselves by releasing noxious gasses when they feel threatened.
Glass Frog
These small animals are characterized by their lime green background colors. These creatures actually have translucent abdominal skin, so you can see their hearts, livers, and other organs.
Mata Mata Turtle
These freshwater turtles are found near the rainforests of South America. These animals are extremely well camouflaged – their heads even resemble fallen leaves.
Mexican Mole Lizard
Also known as the 5 Toed Worm Lizard, these little guys can grow up to 9.4″ long. They live close to the surface of the earth, and they only come out at night or just after a heavy rainfall.
Spike-Nosed Tree Frog
This animal was discovered in 2008 and is commonly referred to as the “Pinocchio Frog.” It inhabits the rainforest of the Foja Mountains, but other than that it has remained a mystery to scientists.
Purple Frog
Typically found in India, this strange frog loves feeding on termites. These frogs can lay up to 3,000 eggs at one time, after which they return to their homes underground.
California Condor
This is the largest land bird in North America. It can weigh anywhere from 15-31 pounds, and it has a massive wingspan of 8-10 feet.
Flightless Cormorant
This rare bird species can be found only on the Galapagos Islands. Their wings are much too small to fly, but their webbed feet and powerful legs make them strong swimmers.
Hoatzin
The Hoatzin, or Canje Pheasant, is born with claws and makes a variety of strange sounds. Due to its unique digestive system, this bird commonly releases an extremely unpleasant odor.
Kakapo
This is among the world’s most critically endangered species. The Kakapo or “Owl Parrot” resides in New Zealand, and it is flightless and nocturnal.
Long-Wattled Umbrellabird
Its name is true to its form; this is a funny looking creature. The wattle hangs down 16-17 inches from the bird’s chest, giving it a unique appearance.
Marabou Stork
These birds are found south of the Sahara in Africa, and they have a wingspan of over 9 feet. These storks are among Africa’s largest birds.
Amazon Giant Fishing Spider
These spiders grow up to 8 inches long, and their bodies are covered in green, gold, and white. This South American spider can run along the surface of the water in order to poison its prey.
Assassin Bug
These creepy creatures cover themselves in ant carcasses as a way of disguising themselves. They even cover their legs with tree sap so they can grab bees right out of the air.
Driver Ant
These ants live in colonies comprised of 20 million members, so when they attack you can be sure it will hurt. Their jaws can remain locked on their prey even after they are killed.
Giant Katydid
These animals are closely related to crickets, but they are much larger and are not capable of jumping well. Their high-pitched mating call has made a name for them as one of the loudest insects in the world.
Hickory Horned Devil
Once emerged this animal is known as the Royal Walnut Moth, but as a larva, it is the Hickory Horned Devil. It gets its name from the little black spikes that grow all over its body, and it is certainly a sight to behold.
There are some bizarre animals roaming our planet, and we have barely begun to understand the creatures with whom we share the earth. As technology becomes more advanced, we can only hope to discover more species living among us.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
