Top Weird Animals

Nature plays by its own rules. It creates many surprises. Sometimes those surprises are good, and sometimes… Well, let’s just say that some of them look as a fruit of imagination of a horror movie director. Whether you’ll like the animals from our top 10 list of the weirdest creatures, or not, is simply the matter of your personal preference. We don’t find these creatures ugly, but only unique and unusual.

1

Dumbo Octopus

This creature got its name after a baby elephant from Walt Disney’s cartoon. Its chubby body and fins that resemble elephant’s ears are responsible for this name. Dumbo Octopus can be found in the ocean dephts (from 400 to 4800 meters). There are 18 species of this unusual animal. They feed by moving slowly above the ocean floor.

2

Proboscis Monkey

Male representatives of Nasalis larvatus have extremely big noses and the bellies that resemble brewer’s tummies. The function of the noses hasn’t been proven scientifically, but it is assumed that they exist in order to attract females during mating. They also produce trumpet-like noises. Noses of Proboscis monkeys can reach the a length of 17.5 cm, which makes them the longest-nosed primates. They inhabit coastal areas of Borneo.

3

Sloth

These mammals live in the forests of Central and South America. There are six species of Sloths, and their size is similar to a size of a small dog. Their most important features are: flat head, small face, long limbs with big, strong hook-like nails, and grey fur, which, as they grow old, becomes greenish, due to a specific algae that grows on it. Everything connected to these creatures is slow–their movements, their metabolism… Most of their lives they spend hanging upside–down from the trees. The mothers even give birth in that position. They sleep 18 hours a day, they rarely come to the ground and they live up to 30 years.

4

Aye-Aye

Aye-Aye is a rare primate which can be found only on the island Madagascar. It is dark-brown or black with large sensitive ears, saucer eyes, long fingers, and a furry, long tail. Its long claws enable it to swing on the branches. This animal spends its life in the trees where it finds insects under tree bark with the help of the long middle finger. The rest of its diet consists mainly from coconuts and other fruit. Indigenous belief that it brings bad luck, which led this species almost to extinction. Today it is protected by law.

5

Armadillo

The word Armadillo is of Spanish origin, and it means “ small and armored ”. Its name refers to the tabular shield covering the neck, back, tail and legs. Amadillo is the only existing mammal with this type of armor. It has an amazing ability to hide itself from danger by digging into sand with its pointed claws. It lives in Central and South America.

6

Tapir

Although they look like pigs with extended muzzles, tapirs actually belong to the family equidae, as well as horses and rhinoceroses. In spite of their lazy looks they are very active, and they are excellent swimmers, too. Their natural habitat are forested areas of Southeast Asia and South America. There are four species of Tapirs, and all of them are at the edge of extinction.

7

Komondor Dog

“The king of Hungarian shepherd dogs “ as it is often called, is a big dog covered with a thick, long, gnarly white hair which looks like a huge mop. This unusual miracle almost doesn’t bark in daytime. It is distrustful of strangers, but it is one of the best livestock and yard guardians. It is easy to train, but it is very stubborn and jealous.

8

Angora Rabbit

Angora is a long-haired breed of rabbits with well-shaped body and long hair, which is used for different purposes. It originates from the countries around the Black Sea, from where it was transferred to England, France and other European countries in 1723. Their original color is white, but, today they are bred in many different colors. Their fur is very popular, and it is used for clothes making.

9

Star-Nosed Mole

Star-nosed moles inhabit the Eastern part of the North America. These very strange mammals are characterized by a set of 22 long pink tentacles placed around the nostrils, forming the shape of two stars. These tentacles enable them to find the food and dig underground because they are sensitive to touch and electro impulses. They also prevent the food or the dirt from entering into the nose. They are excellent swimmers and wonderful diggers, they can dig enormous nets of tunnels in the medium dry areas.

10

Alpaca

Alpacas are residents of South American highland regions. They are domesticated members of Camelidae family kept for high-quality wool which is used for clothes, blankets, etc. They are characterized by sheep-like bodies, particularly long necks and soft, up to 50 cm long, hair. Alpacas come in many different colors, and they live in herds.