Buzz
Our shared curiosity about the unknown has led to remarkable discoveries. With the aid of significant technological progress, we’ve mapped much of our planet, though there are still places inhabited by animals that remain uncharted by science.
Thousands of new species are being discovered every year. As of now, over 1.8 million species have been recorded, with estimates suggesting that more than ten million species are still waiting to be uncovered. While most of these new creatures are microscopic and not particularly exciting, some of them are extraordinary and have managed to stay hidden from us for far too long. The following is a list of ten such remarkable animals.
10. Goliath Bird-Eating Spider
I’ve placed this terrifying creature at number ten for one simple reason: it gives me nightmares. I was so scared of it that I couldn’t bring myself to rank it any higher. This species was officially discovered in 2006 during an expedition in Guyana. It’s a burrowing spider that primarily preys on invertebrates, although it has also been seen eating small mammals, lizards, and venomous snakes (a real shocker). Adult specimens can weigh up to six ounces. Fortunately, for us—and any animals too big to be consumed by it—the goliath bird-eating spider is a type of tarantula, with relatively weak venom that only causes mild swelling and pain for a few hours.
However, the real danger to us humans lies in the goliath’s ability to shoot urticating hairs from its body. These nearly invisible, tiny hairs float through the air and have an unsettling habit of sticking to your eyes.
9. Louisiana Pancake Batfish
A member of the Ogcocephalidae batfish family, the Louisiana pancake batfish is a strange-looking creature that lives in the Gulf of Mexico. It was discovered in 2010 while efforts to clean up the notorious Gulf oil spill were underway, which had impacted batfish populations.
The Louisiana pancake batfish is named after its appearance, which closely resembles a poorly cooked pancake. Its peculiar method of moving across the ocean floor is often likened to the crawling motion of a bat. This batfish preys on invertebrates, using chemical lures to capture them.
8. Walter’s Duiker
Walter’s Duiker is a captivating little creature, first discovered in 2010 in the Dahomey Gap, West Africa. The species made its first appearance in the scientific community in 1968 when Walter Verheyen, after whom the species is named, found a specimen in Togo. This species is native to Togo, Benin, and Nigeria.
One of the most fascinating features of this species is its small size, measuring only around forty centimeters (sixteen inches) in height on average and typically weighing between four to six kilograms. Additionally, the duiker has hind legs that are longer than its front legs, which is particularly intriguing since the duiker does not graze, but rather feeds on berries and other similar plant-based foods.
7. Yeti Crab
This endearingly furry-looking crustacean was discovered in 2005 in the South Pacific Ocean. Due to its abundance of silky blond setae, the scientists who found it quickly gave it the name ‘yeti crab’. This unusual little decapod typically grows to an average length of about fifteen centimeters (just under six inches) and resides around hydrothermal vents deep within the ocean. The setae on its body contain filamentous bacteria, which help detoxify the toxic substances released by the vents. It is believed that the yeti crab might feed on these bacteria, although it is generally considered to be carnivorous.
6. Red-bearded Titi
The red-bearded titi is a small primate discovered in the Colombian part of the Amazon Rainforest in 2008. Sadly, the discovery comes with a sense of urgency, as these charming, bearded creatures are critically endangered, with fewer than 250 individuals estimated to remain. Like many other primates, the red-bearded titi shares a surprising number of human-like traits. One of these is their lifelong mating bond, a rare occurrence among primates. Typically, a pair produces one offspring each year, with the males taking on the majority of the caregiving duties. Observers have often seen couples sitting together on tree branches, their tails intertwined.
5. Pinocchio Frog
Native to the remote Fuja Mountains of Indonesia, the Pinocchio frog is an odd creature that was accidentally discovered in 2010 when it wandered into a research camp and perched on a rice bag. Its most distinctive feature is the peculiar protuberance on the front of its face, commonly referred to as its nose. This nose-like appendage is unique to males and becomes erect when they emit excited calls, returning to its normal position when they’re quiet. The exact purpose of this ‘nose’ and the frog’s ability to manipulate it is still a mystery.
4. Lesula
The lesula is an extraordinary new species of African monkey, first discovered in 2007. It was found in the Democratic Republic of Congo, marking the second new species of African monkey to be identified in nearly thirty years. The discovery was made by John and Terese Hart from Yale University’s Peabody Museum of Natural History when they saw the monkey in 2007 at the home of a primary school teacher in Opala. The lesula's most striking feature is its remarkably human-like face. Another less obvious but equally unique trait is the vibrant blue colouring on the bald patches of the monkey’s hindquarters and genital area.
3. Paracheilinus Nursalim
Described for the first time in 2008, Paracheilinus nursalim is a newly discovered species of flasher wrasse found in the Bird’s Head Peninsula in Western New Guinea. The fish is known for its incredibly bright and vibrant colours, making it particularly distinctive. As it is a recent discovery, little is known about the creature’s behavior and habitat.
To wrap things up on a positive note: the outlook for the Paracheilinus nursalim is much more optimistic compared to some other species on this list. Its primary habitat lies within protected waters, ensuring its safety from external threats that might otherwise jeopardize its existence.
2. Megalara Garuda
I've already highlighted several newly discovered species from Indonesia, and I’d argue that this one is the most terrifying of them all. The Megalara garuda, also known as the ‘king of the wasps,’ is a gigantic wasp first discovered in 2011 in the Mekongga Mountains of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Adult males average about two inches in length and sport elongated mandibles that match the size of their forelegs. Beyond its imposing size and fearsome appearance, the Megalara garuda is also venomous. While specimens were first collected on an Indonesian expedition in 1930, it wasn’t until recently that a live specimen was successfully captured and documented. Like many rare species, deforestation and environmental changes present significant threats to its survival.
1. Wattled Smoky Honeyeater
The wattled smoky honeyeater is a unique bird species found only in the Foja Mountains of Indonesia. Its most notable feature is the bright reddish-orange skin surrounding its eyes. First discovered in December 2005, this bird became the first new species of bird identified in New Guinea since 1939. Along with its vibrant orange facial skin, the wattled smoky honeyeater is also recognized for its odd walking style, often described as a ‘wottle.’ During the 2005 expedition that unearthed it, the bird was among more than twenty new species discovered. Interestingly, the color of its facial skin changes subtly when the bird is startled or flushed.
