Buzz
Every so often, you may encounter an animal, either in literature or the wild, that leaves you questioning how such an unusual creature came into existence. The reason behind their strange adaptations can often confound even the most seasoned biologists, though there is usually a logical explanation. Still, that doesn't diminish the bizarre (and sometimes unsettling) nature of these creatures.
10. Blood From A Stone
Tunicates are undeniably strange. Though highly primitive and nearly stationary, these creatures that seem almost inorganic are, in fact, animals. They don’t follow the typical invertebrate mold. Classified within a subphylum of chordates, they share a surprising kinship with vertebrates. Pyura chilensis is one of the most mind-boggling tunicates, seemingly debunking the saying 'you can’t get blood from a stone.' This creature may appear as nothing more than an ancient, weathered rock, but inside it hides vibrant red flesh. These South American 'sea tomatoes' are a prized delicacy in Chile, which forms a significant portion of their limited native range.
9. Long-Horned Orb Weaver
While most orb weavers fit the classic image of a typical garden spider, a small group within the genus Macracantha takes things to an extreme that seems almost beyond comprehension. These miniature web weavers, measuring less than a few centimeters (about half an inch), bear little resemblance to a regular arachnid. Instead, they look like oversized, stiletto-thin cow skulls. On either side of the orb weaver's abdomen, long, curved, solid horns extend from a rear carapace. Horns on a spider might seem odd, but what makes it even stranger is their incredible size—each horn is up to four times the length of the arachnid itself. The purpose of these horns remains unclear, but comparing them to features in other animals suggests that they may function as sexual signals or “badges” to establish dominance.
8. Three-Wattled Bellbird
In Central America, you can find a bird that seems like a real-life version of Davy Jones from Pirates of the Caribbean. While many songbirds are admired for their beauty and sweet songs, the ancient three-wattled bellbird is known for its ear-piercing call and eerie appearance. About the size of a robin, this bird has dangling, fleshy wattles that hang from its face, where the beak connects. The wattle tissue even extends around its eyes.
The three wattles are soft and limp, and while they might seem to hinder the bird, they serve a surprising purpose. Its striking plumage isn’t enough to impress females, so it relies on its exaggerated wattles and deafening call to attract mates. Unfortunately, this odd bird is an endangered species. While many birds migrate south during the breeding off-season, the three-wattled bellbird travels down from the mountains to the warmer lowland regions each year.
7. African Shoebill
The shoebill is an imposing and awe-inspiring bird, possibly the strangest on the African continent. Standing at over 1.5 meters (nearly five feet) tall and weighing more than seven kilograms, this massive gray bird seems like a combination of a whale and a heron. While most birds have precise bills, the shoebill sports an enormous, broad bill that can reach up to 24 centimeters (10 inches) in length, shaped like a giant Dutch clog with a sharp hook at the end. This bird will hunt anything it can overpower, from monitor lizards to catfish, and young crocodiles. It became famous after photos surfaced showing a shoebill holding a duck in its beak (likely moving it, as shoebills do eat waterfowl). Perhaps the most astonishing report is of a shoebill supposedly eating a baby antelope, although this remains unconfirmed.
6. California Sheephead
The pristine waters off the coast of California hide lush, almost alien-like kelp forests. Amongst the tangled greenery, strange, toothy creatures can be found lurking. The California sheephead is one such oddity, equipped with massive teeth typically seen in mammals. To crush through shellfish, this fish uses its enormous, almost human-like teeth within powerful jaws. These impressive fangs are just as capable of breaking bones if a human hand happens to be in the way, delivering serious bite wounds. The fish is also decorated with striking pinkish and black scales. Intriguingly, all sheephead are born female, with social and environmental factors deciding whether a fish remains female or becomes male.
5. Long-Wattled Umbrellabird
The long-wattled umbrellabird, a strange all-black songbird, is truly a spectacle when encountered. This peculiar creature features a long, feathered appendage dangling from its chest, which takes on a perfectly cylindrical shape. The bird’s outlandish appearance makes it look as though it's been mounted on a post. During courtship displays, the wattle expands, while it contracts when the bird is hunting lizards or gathering fruits, seeds, and palm nuts. Sadly, this endangered bird is confined to a small region of Ecuador and Colombia, and its population is increasingly threatened by hunting and changes to land use.
4. Saiga Antelope
Mongolia’s rare Saiga antelope is an extraordinary creature, sporting an incredibly peculiar but purposeful snout. This distinctive nasal feature makes the antelope appear to have almost no face at all, resembling a real-life version of Alf. The unusual nose is believed to warm the air before it enters the body and filters dust from its arid environment. This ancient species once roamed across North America and much of Eurasia, but now it is confined to the central Asian steppes. Tragically, the Saiga is critically endangered due to rampant poaching. Efforts to restore its population are being led by the Saiga Conservation Alliance, which welcomes public support.
3. Standard-Winged Nightjar
The standard-winged nightjar defies all conventions with its irrationally bizarre plumage. This bird’s name comes from its peculiar huge pair of wing feathers, which can extend up to 35 centimeters (14 inches), longer than its entire body. These unusually large feathers seem to defy aerodynamic logic and are shed once they are no longer needed to attract females during the mating season. Despite the extravagant display, the birds still manage to fly quite well. When airborne, the nightjar often appears as though it’s a combination of three different birds.
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2. Water-Holding Frog
Frogs, like most amphibians, require vast amounts of water because of their permeable skin. The water-holding frog is no exception, but it has adapted to survive in the dry, barren deserts of Australia. So how does it manage this feat? By carrying its water supply with it! During dry spells, the frog digs deep into the earth and creates a mucus-filled cocoon, made from its own shed skin, which completely encases its body. This cocoon allows the frog to retain large amounts of water, enabling it to hibernate for up to two years until the rains return. Aboriginal Australians have discovered that by gently squeezing the frog, they can drink its stored water, before releasing the animal unharmed.
1. Blind Mole Rat
Blind mole rats are curious mammals found in Eurasia, living mostly underground and almost completely blind. In a strange twist of evolution, their eyes are still functional but are covered by a layer of skin, leaving them nearly blind. Despite this, the mole rats can still sense light and dark, while the skin layer protects their eyes from constant dirt exposure and abrasion. Researchers have also found distinct physical differences among mole rats living in the same regions, which is believed to result from the separate lifestyles of different populations.
