Strange Animals of Planet Earth Guest by Monica Heft

Scientists have discovered millions of animal species living on this planet, some of them are fierce, while others are cute, loving and wonderful.

Of these 1 million species, we are aware of only a relatively small percentage. However, among those we know, there are some really very strange and amazing animals; With unusual features and behaviors, it easily earns its places in many people’s animal discovery bucket lists.

Let’s check out some of the strangest animal species on the planet…

1. Glass frogs

Species of glass frogs belong to the family Centrolenidae. These frogs are also known as “translucent” due to their transparent skin.

There are 60 different species of glass frogs that have been seen in southern Mexico and Central and South America. The preferred habitat of this species is tropical rainforests, especially in the treetops.

The bodies of these frogs are generally light green or olive green, and their abdomens are covered with transparent skin.

Depending on the individual species, the size of the glass frog may vary. However, smaller species are usually 0.78 inches long, while larger species can be up to 3 inches long. You can spot these tree-dwelling frogs in Costa Rica or Panama.

2. Lyrebirds

The harp is a tree-dwelling bird species that is native to Australia. There are two different types of harpsichords, the great lyrebird and the Albert harp.

Both types differ slightly from each other. But the majestic harpsichord exhibit short legs and striped tail feathers that curl outward at the end. Their body is brown and gray with a reddish tint in the wings.

The Albert lyre lacks the long, slender tail like the magnificent lyrebird. This species has brown and gray plumage with a slightly blue shade on the head and tail feathers.

These adorable birds are known for their ability to imitate sounds, including saws, car alarms, camera shutters, crying babies, ringtones, and sometimes words.

Visit the rainforests of Queensland and New South Wales to see harpsichords.

3. Matta Matta

The Matmata is a South American tortoise known for its black or brown shell or carapace. Tortoises have a triangular and flat head, and their bodies and long necks are rough and bumpy.

You can find matamata in South America where they live in slow-moving black streams, rivers, swamps, and swamps. They rarely live in shallow waters and only reach land when they are laying eggs.

4. Sugar gliders

A sugar glider is a small nocturnal opossum that glides using the skin between its legs and “wings”, like a flying squirrel.

These omnivorous animals belonging to the submarsupial class get their common name from their taste for sugary foods; Like sap and nectar.

5. Red-lipped bat fish

The red-lipped bat fish is also known as the odd-looking fish, and it inhabits the marine life of the Galapagos Islands.

These fish are said to possess some traits similar to bats, so they are called bat fish.

Although the body color of this species varies from light brown to gray, they are easily recognizable by their distinctive red lips.

A great fact about the red-lipped bat fish is that they walk on ocean floors, as they are not good swimmers. You can find a red-lipped bat fish that lives in the Pacific Ocean.

6. Pink Fairy Armadillo

The pink fairy armadillo is the smallest type of armadillo. It is the only armadillo to have a dorsal shell completely separate from its body.

This species is known for some of its unique traits, such as; The  fairy pink armadillo  pumps blood using a shell to regulate body temperature.

They are also known as sand swimmers, due to their quick ability to navigate underground. Visit central Argentina, where you can find a fairy pink armadillo in dry grasslands and sandy plains.

7. Markhor

Markhor is a wild goat found in the mountains of Central Asia from southern Russia to the western Himalayas. However, you can find a large number of these animals in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

Males and females look similar in appearance; Both with spiral shaped horns that can be flared or straight depending on the individuals. They have brown coats and white underparts, with coarse white fur on their chest and neck.

Markhor goats prefer to live in the highlands; However, the heights of their ranges depend on the season. In summer they live at higher altitudes while in winter they live at lower altitudes.

8. Leafy Sea Dragon

The leafy sea dragon or the grassy sea dragon is a close relative of the seahorse. They are among the most ornately camouflaged creatures (also referred to as  Sir David Attenborough’s favorite species  !).

Their skin lobes provide camouflage, giving them the appearance of seaweed. Lush sea dragons can maintain the same illusion while swimming.

You can find this striking creature along the south and west coast of Australia.

9. Sea Pen

The sea pen is a graceful creature on the sea floor, the monster is named after an ancient quill pen.

Its colors range from dark orange, yellow and white. Sea sheds usually grow up to 40 cm in height.

The interesting fact about these marine organisms is that each marine pen is a colony of polyps that work together to survive as a whole. And when stimulated, the sea pens glow with a bright green light. Check out the Pacific marine pens, where they thrive from the Gulf of Alaska to California.

10. Kotemondi

Cotimonds are related to both raccoons and kanagos. There are four species of these animals, however, all types of goats have a slender head and a long, elongated nose, slightly tilted upwards.

It has small ears, dark feet, and a long tail that is used for balance. The interesting fact about this species is that it is incredibly flexible and rotates up to 60 degrees in any direction. Find these exotic animals in the Americas.