This planet is filled with all kinds of strange things, like 400 million-year-old species and unexplainable geological phenomena. Among the many crafty and creepy creations of mother nature are several different insects, reptiles, and critters that live underwater or are covered in fur, clearly designed to leave us amazed and awestruck.
These members of the animal kingdom certainly don't look like they're from Earth, but they very much are! From scorpions that don't sting to butterflies that won't eat, weirdness is the way of life for these critters. Here's are the names of some absolutely beautiful and bizarre wild beasts and a tidbit of info about them.
1. The carnivorous Eastern Long-Necked turtle has a neck that can grow as long as its shell.
(Reddit)
2. The satanic leaf-tailed gecko is the smallest of the leaf-tailed geckos and has an appearance that mimics decaying leaves to hide from predators and prey.
(By Charles J Sharp, Wikimedia Commons)
3. The giant oarfish is a rare creature and the longest bony fish in the world, growing up to 30 feet in length.
(Reddit)
4. The Bat-Eared fox closely resembles ancestors of the canine family and uses its adorably massive ears for thermoregulation
(Reddit)
5. The blue-tongued skink uses its uniquely colored tasting-tool as a bluff warning, designed to startle predators
(By Benjamint444, Wikimedia Commons)
6. The pig-nosed turtle is well known for its snout-like nose and is a very popular selection in the exotic pet trade
(By Junkyardsparkle, Wikimedia Commons)
7. The scorpionfly has a stinger that looks scary but is harmless and used during the mating process.
(Reddit)
8. The peacock spider is named for its colorful patterns, and much like real peacocks, only the males display these vibrant colors
(By Jurgen Otto, Wikimedia Commons)
9. The Flapjack octopus is an adorable umbrella octopus that can move by pushing water through a funnel in its body to create a jet propulsion.
(Reddit)
10. The gorgeous Crested Polish roosters are typically bred as show birds but can be rather ill-tempered as their lovely crests impair their vision.
(Reddit)
11. The Arabian sand boa spends most of its time under the sand and is known for its small eyes and blunt snout, vaguely reminiscent of a child’s drawing.
(Reddit)
12. The giant leopard moth is known for its distinct pattern and is a strictly nocturnal creature, so you won’t see them flying around before nightfall
(By AmaryllisGardener, Wikimedia Commons)
13. The fire snail, distinguished by its bright red hue is one of the rarest snails in the world and can only be found in a certain part of Malaysia
(Reddit)
14. The Devil’s Flower mantis tends to take on the appearance of foliage and uses its bright colors as a warning to startle both prey and predator
(Reddit)
15. The Luna moth do not eat as adults and tend to spend their short lifetime looking for suitable plants to lay their eggs
(Flickr)
16. The Hickory Horned Devil caterpillar is one of the largest in the world, growing up to 6 inches in length, and is quite harmless despite its appearance
(By Bob Warrick, Wikimedia Commons)
Be sure to share these interesting animal facts!
