Our planet is home to a diverse range of weird and wonderful species. Every day, new discoveries are being made that help us piece together complex eco-systems and help us understand the world around us.
Generally, our knowledge about animal species can be quite limited and it’s often the case that we are astounded by just how many animals are out there that we’ve never even heard about!
To help keep you up to date, here are 15 rare and exciting animals that we bet you have probably never heard of before:
Maned Wolf
Though they might look like wolves and go by the same name, they are actually considered to be canids which make them look like a cross between a fox and a deer. They get their name from their ability to make their hand stand up straight and are predominantly found in South America.
The Ili Pika
Cute right? This furry little creature is also known as the magic rabbit and was first discovered in China’s Tian Shan Mountains. It was photographed for the first time in 20 years recently.
The Grimpoteuthis (aka Dumbo Octopus)
The two large membranes on its face give this little octopus its nickname ‘The Dumbo Octopus’ as they protrude like dumbo’s ears.
The Pinocchio Frog
This frog is also known as the ‘spike-nosed tree frog.’ Male frogs use their nose to attract female attention and sense danger.
The Snub-Nosed Monkey
This monkey is considered to be the rarest primate in the world and was first discovered in 2010 in northern Myanmar.
The Pink Handfish
The pink handfish is one of 14 fish species that have hand-like fins. Nine of the 14 species are currently endangered.
Honduran White Bats
These beautiful little creatures primarily live in Heliconia leaves to protect them while they are eating and sleeping. The largest size they will grow to is approximately 1.5 inches.
The Salp
While it doesn’t quite look like an animal, Salps are actually an important part of the ocean’s eco-system. They live purely off CO2 in the water and so they help to reduce carbon levels in the water and air.
Gerenuk
Gerenuks are primarily found in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania and use their long necks to reach higher vegetation. The name translates to”giraffe-necked” in Somali.
The Pink-Eyed Caedicia
This grasshopper is aptly named for its striking pink set of eyes. They live in the Pacific Highlands.
Hooded Seal
These funny looking seals are typically found in the North Atlantic. The large sac on the male seal’s face is used in combat and is inflated into a large red balloon to signify aggression.
The Cherax Pulcher
This colorful beauty was only discovered for the very first time in 2016 in the seas of Indonesia!
The Albino Chinese Softshell Turtle
These little guys look identical to their cousins the long neck turtles aside from their albino skin. They use their necks and gills as snorkels to breathe properly underwater.
The Nendo Tube-Nosed Fruit Bat
This cute little bat was only discovered in 2009 in Papua New Guinea. It also goes by Yoda bat due to its striking resemblance to the Star Wars character of the same name.
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The Amazon River Dolphin
These dolphins are often referred to as Pink River Dolphins too. Typically they remain light gray but occasionally turn pink as they get older. Despite their friendly appearance, they are considered to be rather aggressive and unapproachable.
