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Life's intricate balance leads species to flourish for millions of years, only to be overtaken by evolutionary shifts and environmental changes. As they disappear, they’re often deemed extinct, relegated to the world of fossils and scientific records. But accurately tracking a species’ true existence is far more complicated than it seems.
Although it may appear that a species has vanished forever, there could still be some individuals quietly surviving, unnoticed by the world. This happens more often than you'd imagine. Animals once presumed extinct—whether due to human action or natural forces—can sometimes be found, still thriving in uncharted territories. Biologists refer to these remarkable resurrections as Lazarus taxa—species thought to be long gone, only to be rediscovered, bringing them 'back to life.'
Here are 10 animals that have defied extinction, only to be rediscovered and welcomed back into the world in recent years.
10. The Giant Walking Stick
What an intriguing name! 'Tree lobsters' might bring to mind large, menacing arthropods hanging in the treetops, ready to pounce. In truth, the tree lobster is a type of stick insect, specifically the Lord Howe Island stick insect, known for its gentle nature. The few lucky researchers who encounter these creatures can hold them without any danger.
These insects were once widespread across Lord Howe Island, located between Australia and New Zealand. However, in 1918, a shipwreck occurred near the island, and rats aboard the ship managed to escape and establish a colony on the island. Within a few years, these rats had completely eradicated the tree lobster population.
It wasn’t until 80 years later that a living specimen was spotted on a rocky outcrop just off Lord Howe Island. After an exhaustive search, only 24 individuals were discovered, earning the tree lobster the title of 'the rarest insect on the planet.' In the last two decades, scientists have worked tirelessly to breed tens of thousands of new individuals, successfully reviving the species.
9. The Takahe
Also known as the notornis (though it sounds more like a villainous alter ego), the takahe is a flightless bird native to New Zealand. With dark, iridescent feathers, it looks like a cross between a raven and a peacock—an impressive sight indeed.
When the bird was first discovered in the 1800s, its population had already been dwindling for centuries due to the shrinking of its preferred alpine grassland habitat, a result of global warming. The arrival of Polynesian and European settlers only accelerated its decline. Only a handful of living specimens were found, and by 1898, only fossilized remains were discovered. The species was declared extinct.
It remained 'extinct' for 50 years, until 1948 when it was rediscovered in a remote mountain range. Since then, conservation efforts have helped protect and breed the species, with some populations now numbering as many as 400 individuals scattered across New Zealand.
8. Terror Skinks
The terror skink may sound fearsome, but in reality, it's only slightly more intimidating than other skinks, which isn't saying much. With its long, curved teeth, it's considered a near-apex predator in its environment, though that only places it at the top of a food chain made up mostly of bugs and small lizards. Its habitat is the Isle of Pines, a tiny island off the coast of New Caledonia in the South Pacific. First discovered in 1876, it couldn't be found again for over a century, leading to its presumed extinction.
The lizard was finally rediscovered in 1993, though only a handful have been spotted since. With its tiny island home measuring less than one-fifth of a mile in size, it’s likely that only a small population remains. Still, a handful is certainly better than none, which brings joy to skink enthusiasts worldwide.
7. The Kashmir Musk Deer
The musk deer, also known as the 'vampire deer,' certainly earns that name. Hanging from its upper jaw are two long, sharp fangs that look ready for bloodsucking. In reality, these fangs are used by males to compete for females, but the idea of vampire deer is a fun thought. The musk deer is found across central Eurasia, but the Kashmir subspecies is much more selective, residing only in the Indian Himalayas, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. It was last seen in 1948, and for 60 years, no deer were found despite numerous expeditions.
Then, in 2009, members of the Wildlife Conservation Society managed to spot several living musk deer, describing them as 'discrete, cryptic, difficult to spot, and impossible to photograph.' Since then, more sightings have occurred, making this a vampire sighting we can believe in.
6. The Laotian Rock Rat
Let’s get this out of the way: 'Laotian Rock Rat' would make a fantastic band name, and I’m claiming it. This rat was first discovered in 1996, when it was sold as meat in a market in southern Laos. After a bit of help from locals, more specimens were found—although all had been killed for food. It wasn’t until 2006 that a live one was spotted, captured, and studied. It quickly became clear to researchers that this was no ordinary rodent. In fact, it was so unique that a new family name was proposed for the species. For reference, a family is a large taxonomic group—ours, for example, is Hominidae, which includes all living and extinct apes, as well as extinct humans.
Experts eventually managed to classify the rock rat, which only made it more of an anomaly. They placed it in a rodent family known exclusively from fossils, with the last remains dating back 11 million years. The rock rat is so unique that its closest relatives disappeared millions of years ago.
5. Chacoan Peccaries
Western scientists have a long history of exploring new regions and doubting local reports of wildlife. Sometimes this skepticism is warranted—take the Mokele-mbembe, the alleged Congo River dinosaur, which doesn't exist. But other times, this doubt has led to major discoveries being overlooked. Species like the okapi, Komodo dragon, and mountain gorilla were all confirmed by locals, but remained undiscovered by scientists for decades. The Chacoan peccary is another example. Fossil evidence of this animal was found in 1930 in Argentina, but with no living specimens, scientists presumed it extinct. However, native Argentinians insisted the peccaries were still around, leading researchers to look again. In 1971, an entire family unit was found alive. Sadly, deforestation in South America has made this species’ future uncertain.
4. Arakan Forest Turtles
Some animals make the list simply because they are undeniably cute, and the Arakan forest turtle is one of them. A quick image search of these delightful creatures is sure to make you fall in love. They were first spotted between 1875 and 1908 in the remote hills of Western Myanmar, but sightings ceased after that. Presumed extinct for nearly 80 years, a freshly dead specimen was found in a Chinese market, reigniting hopes for the species.
Since then, living Arakan forest turtles have been rediscovered in Myanmar and also found in Bangladesh. As with other turtle species, these creatures are valued both as pets and for food in certain parts of Southeast Asia, which has placed them on the critically endangered list. Fortunately, the turtles have shown an ability to breed in captivity, giving conservationists hope that the species can be preserved.
3. Coelacanth
It was inevitable. And though it might seem obvious now, the coelacanth is undoubtedly the top Lazarus taxon. Even those with little knowledge of biology are familiar with the story of the coelacanth. For nearly a century, coelacanths were only known from fossils, and their skeletal structure suggested they were closer to tetrapods than modern fish. This led many to consider them a potential missing link in the evolution of life from water to land.
It seemed certain that coelacanths were ancient and extinct. Then, a fisherman in South Africa caught a strange-looking fish that caught the attention of Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer, a local museum worker. She immediately recognized the fish’s significance, and with help from a biologist friend, they identified it as a coelacanth, transforming its status from 'extinct for 400 million years' to 'just caught by a fisherman.'
2. The Pygmy Tarsier
Pygmy tarsiers are a fascinating blend of the eerie and the endearing. They resemble a mix of gremlins and mogwai, monkeys and demons, or Furbies and alien creatures with their large almond-shaped eyes. But the most intriguing part is that they were only rediscovered after an 80-year absence. The last recorded sighting of a pygmy tarsier was in 1921. After such a long time, scientists were certain that this species had vanished for good.
Then, in 2000, two Indonesian scientists set rat traps in the jungle and unwittingly caught and killed a pygmy tarsier. It wasn’t until 2008 that three living specimens were found, confirming that these cute yet slightly unsettling primates were indeed still alive. Oh, and did I mention they have claws instead of nails, unlike most other primates? Imagine one of these little creatures staring at you from the edge of your bed—creepy, right?
1. Night Parrots
If you’re an ornithologist (and statistically, one or two of you may be), you’re likely familiar with the mysterious night parrots. Also known as midnight cockatoos, night parakeets, or nocturnal ground parakeets, these elusive birds resemble the common pet store parakeet, and like their wild cousins, they hail from Australia. But that's where the similarities end. Night parrot sightings were fairly frequent until 1912, after which they seemingly vanished from existence. For many years, they were presumed extinct, until a dead specimen was discovered near the century’s end, indicating that they were actually still around.
The night parrot soon became the holy grail for naturalists, with every reported sighting being thoroughly examined. Some claims were accepted, while others were dismissed. But yes, the bird is alive! What’s even more fascinating, however, is its Wikipedia page. Every single sighting—whether verified or not, living or dead, true or fabricated—is meticulously documented. It’s an interesting read, showing how even the most obscure topics can ignite the passion of a dedicated community.
