The 25 Weirdest Animals on Earth

photo – nationalgeographic.com

The axolotl is a species of mexican mole salamander whose larvae fail to undergo metamorphosis and thus the adults remained gilled and aquatic. They originated from the lake that underlies Mexico City and are often used in research due to their curious ability to regenerate themselves.

Having been called the nastiest and most disgusting creature in the sea, the hagfish lives deep below the surface of the waves. When it gets hungry it attaches itself to a passing fish, bores its way through the skin, and then consumes the fish from the inside out.

Also known as the “dog bear” due to its small stature and extremely long tongue, it is found in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia.

Inhabiting the north-eastern United States and Canada, the star-nosed mole has 22 miniature tentacles at the tip of its snout that it uses to forage for food.

Coming from Ankara, Turkey these hairy rabbits were popular pets among French royalty in the 1700s and they are often bread for their immense wool coats.

photo – marine-geo.org

Due to the ear-like fins protruding from their “heads” they have been likened to Disney’s famous elephant after which they were named. Living at extreme depths these creatures are a rare sight.

photo – nationalgeographic.com

More formally known as the Kiwa Hirsuta it was only discovered in 2005 deep within the South Pacific Ocean. Its hairy pincers contain bacteria that may be used to detoxify the water around the volcanic vents where it lives.

photo – nationalgeographic.com

Found along the coasts of Australia, this marine animal resembles a piece of seaweed as it floats in the water. It is so well camouflaged that the only thing to give away its presence would be the occasional swiveling of an eye or a fluttering appendage.

Deriving their name from the extremely long tarsus bones in their feet, and along with their humongous eyes these creatures are not only extremely strange looking but have also been known to perform ninja like feats of athleticism as they catch birds in mid flight while leaping from tree to tree.

As strange as it looks this is an extremely productive breed of goose as the female can lay over 60 eggs during the season.

photo – louis-ferreira.com

With some species growing over a foot in length these masters of disguise are found all over the world but mainly in Asia, South America, and Australia

With cheeks that extend all the way back to its shoulders it’s easy to see where this rodent gets its name. After filling them with food it empties them back at its burrow by turning them inside out with its paws.

Inhabiting the deep waters off of Australia these fish are adapted to living at extreme pressures and although they lack a significant amount of muscle it is not really necessary for them as they feed on anything edible that floats past.

One of the larger breeds of dog, it is covered with white curly hair resembling dreadlocks. Contrary to what you may think, komondors do not actually shed very much and these hairy puppies are agile.

These deep sea creatures are closely related to sea cucumbers and can easily be found living in groups of over 1,000 or more on the ocean floor.