10 Most Bizarre Animals Recently Discovered

While some of the world’s species remain in grave danger of becoming extinct, some have already been confirmed as extinct, many new species are being found around the world. Biologists trail the Earth’s deserts, explore further into the jungles and delve deeper into the oceans in order to discover new animals. The results of their perseverance has certainly paid off and their findings have resulted in the uncovering  of some pretty astonishing animals. Here are 10 of the world’s most bizarre new species that have all recently been found.

1. Hatchetfish

Image source - Web Ecoist

These ghostly looking creatures are called Hatchetfish and have been found in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Their haunted expressions may be enough to strike fear into us but the largest they can grow to is 6 inches. Therefore their defense mechanism is to produce a light which hides them from predators while resembling the blade of a hatchet.

2. Yeti Crab

Image source - Wikipedia

This weird little hairy crustacean was discovered in the South Pacific Ocean a few years ago. Its proper name is Kiwa hirsuta but everyone seems to prefer the more suited nickname of the Yeti Crab. A whole year of studies was made on this creature and scientists say there is still a lot they don’t understand about it. One thing we do know is that their hairy pincers are crucial to their survival as they contain filamentous bacteria, which detoxify the poisonous minerals in the water in the hydrothermal vents where it lives. Hairy yet clever!

3. Blobfish

Image source - Funster

Rarely seen by humans until now, the Blobfish has been found in the deep sea off the coasts of Australia and Tasmania. Their flesh is just a gelatinous mass that has a density that is slightly less than water, allowing it to float above the sea floor without using any energy. How does it survive? Well it eats anything that happens to float in front of its pretty face. What about predators? Seriously! Look at that thing. I think even a shark would reconsider chowing down on a blobfish!

4. Naked Mole Rat

Image source - Wikipedia

These hairless rodents are also known as the “sand puppy” or the “desert mole rat”. They’ve been found living underground in East African deserts. Bizarrely they live their lives as the bees do, in colonies with one dominant rat who is the queen and is the only one allowed to breed. The rest of the rats are simply the workers. How cute…

5. Aye-aye

Image source - Lineout

The Aye-aye has been in and out of our existence since the 1800s. Thought to be extinct until a few years ago when it was rediscovered in Madagascar, this weird looking skinny-fingered, bug-eyed creature is still on the verge of extinction. Those
skinny fingers and bug eyes are not just there for nothing though. It is the world’s largest nocturnal animal so those eyes are perfect for seeing in the dark, whilst those fingers are used to tap on trees to find grubs to eat. Once it has found something it then uses its elongated middle finger to extract the grubby goodness!

6. Horror Frog

Image source - Ugly Overload

The Horror Frog was discovered in 2008 and to the “horror” of scientists who studied it has an amazing technique. It has the ability to break its own bones in order to produce expendable claws. How frickin cool is that! It also has hairy sides for some reason, which only adds to its nickname of Wolverine after the X-Men character. Claws and mutton chop sideburns…always a good look.

7. Sea Pig

Image source - Random Thoughts

Looking like a raw chicken breast with potato roots for legs, the Sea Pig is a type of sea cucumber. They are a slug of the sea. Trawling the ocean floor they feed on all organic materials that come in their way.

8. Dumbo Octopus

Image source - Super Fun Patrol

The Dumbo Octopus may look a bit like Pikachu this animal has been named after another cute cartoon character – Disney’s Dumbo, because its two fins resemble oversized ears. Found in the deepest, darkest depths of the ocean “Dumbo” swallows its prey whole (mostly worms and small crustaceans). It only grows up to 20cm too!

9. Bosavi Wooly Rat

Image source - Ezquara

Scientists recently discovered a whole bunch of new species in a crater they were exploring on Mount Bosavi in New Guinea. Among the new animals were 16 types of new frogs and a giant bat, but none were as bizarre as this wooly rat. Measuring at 32 inches and weighing just 3.3 pounds the animal showed no fear of human contact allowing the scientists to pick it up. Why was it so brave? Because it had never seen a human before! Amazing.

10. Mura’s Saddleback Tamarin

Image source - The were 42

This brand new monkey was discovered by researchers of the Wildlife Conservation Society in Brazil. Related to the saddleback tamarins this new species are unique because they are remarkably tiny. They weigh less than ¾ of a pound and are just 9 inches tall, yet their tails are a staggering 12.6 inches! Madness!

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