From the tiniest creepy animals to carnivorous plants that emit a rotten fish smell, nature always seems to have a surprise for us with its incredible diversity of unique and rare species. Some of these creatures are so rare that they have only been seen a handful of times and even just once. Others are so weird that they cannot be categorized.
While these animals and plants thrive in the shadows, it’s our pleasure to introduce you to 20 of them that push the boundaries of our imagination.
1. Axolotl
Say hi to the Mexican walking fish, one of the most unique amphibians that never fully undergoes metamorphosis as it retains its larval features throughout life.
Axototl is found exclusively in Mexico and what makes this creature even more weird is its ability to regenerate lost body parts, including limbs and even parts of its heart and spinal cord.
2. Saiga Antelope
The saiga antelope is one of the critically endangered species in the world which can be found in the grasslands of Central Asia. It is known for its distinctive, tubular-shaped nose, the saiga antelope is one of the few remaining species of its kind.
Sadly, their population has been severely affected by hunting and habitat loss.
3. Red Lipped Batfish
I would call the red-lipped batfish a lazy swimmer because rather than swimming they prefer to use their pectoral fins to walk on the bottom of the ocean. While many consider this adaptation as a means of attracting a male, I can’t help but think that this batfish just gets lazy sometimes.
Well, aside from that, what makes them fascinating is their looks, they have red lips that appear to be painted and have also earned the name “lipstick fish”.
4. Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko
They would easily pass as some dry leaf, but it’s an animal whose appearance helps it blend with its environment. This species of gecko is found on the island of Madagascar and their tails are often flattened.
5. Welwitschia Mirabilis
Welwitschia Mirabilis is a one-of-a-kind type of plant that is found in the deserts of Namibia. There are two interesting things about this plant and one of them is that they live around 500 to 600 years and some of its species are estimated to be over 2000 years.
The second interesting fact about the Welwitschia Mirabilis is its physical appearance. The plant contains a stem, roots, and two long, strap-like leaves which grow continuously throughout its lifetime.
6. Pink Fairy Armadillo
This is the smallest species of armadillo and is native to Argentina. Here’s a quick description of this creature; They have small eyes, soft velvety fur, and a pale pink flexible dorsal shell that is attached to its body by a thin dorsal membrane.
I guess you understand why it is one of the most adorable creatures in the animal kingdom. You could even call it a fuzzy caterpillar crossed with a lobster.
7. Rafflesia Arnoldii
Just in case you don’t know already, the Rafflesia Arnoldii is the largest individual flower in the world which can reach a diameter of up to 3 feet across and weigh up to 15 pounds. This unique plant is found in the rainforests of Southeast Asia.
This time, it’s not just about its size but also its strong odor similar to rotting meat. I guess you are wondering how something this beautiful would produce a terrible odor. well, it’s nature. Interestingly, this odor is what attracts pollinators. and can grow up to three feet in diameter.
8. Aye-Aye
This is a nocturnal lemur found in Madagascar and is also considered one of the world’s largest. If you come in contact with them at night, you may likely find yourself running because they look creepy thanks to their furry gremlin face, bulging eyes, rodent-like teeth, and long fingers but that is not what is even intriguing about them.
Its most defining characteristic is its unique method of finding food. They tap on trees and listen for insect larvae inside. With their long and bony fingers, they create holes in the wood and pull out their meal.
They have long become endangered because of some superstitions that these weird animals are harbingers of evil or death. As such, they are often killed on sight.
9. Dragon’s Blood Tree
At first, what you’ll notice about the dragon’s blood tree is its distinctive umbrella-like shape. However, it holds other interesting details. This tree produces a red sap often called the “dragon’s blood” which has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and as a dye.
In addition, the dragon’s blood tree which is native to Socotra, an island off the coast of Yemen is also believed to have magical properties.
Read Also: 13 Mysterious Places That Scientists Still Can’t Explain
10. Pangolin
Found across Africa and Asia is the pangolin, the only mammal which is covered in scales. Research has it that there are only eight species of this animal found on two different continents.
Unfortunately, this shy and gentle creature is one of the most trafficked mammals in the world with two of its species critically endangered due to illegal wildlife trade, packing, and deforestation.
As solitary animals, they live in hallowed trees and burrows. Their hard overlapping armored scales help them defend themselves when threatened. They often roll into the ball sometimes.
11. Baobab Tree
Native to Africa is the Baobab tree which is estimated to be over 5000 years old and it’s no surprise that it has earned nicknames such as “Tree of Life”, “Ancient of Days”, and even “The Upside Down Tree”.
Aside from its distinctively swollen appearance, these trees are notable for their ability to adapt to all climate conditions. During the rainy season, they absorb and store water in their large trunks which allows them to survive through long periods of drought.
12. Star-Nosed Mole
The star-nosed mole is one of only two species that can smell underwater by blowing air bubbles and sucking them back into its nose. The other one is the water shrew. Interestingly, it is the only mole that lives in swamps and marshes and sometimes detects faint electrical signals from aquatic prey. This mole is found in the wetlands of North America and can do these with its unique snout which is covered in 22 fleshy tentacles that have over 25,000-minute sensory receptors.
Far from just being decorative tentacles, they also help the mole navigate and find food in its underground habitat.
13. Tropical Pitcher Plant
This has to be one of the most beautiful and colorful carnivorous plants in the world. It is mostly found in Indonesia, Brunei, and Malaysia. They have evolved to attract, trap, and digest insects thanks to their modified leaves that form a pitcher-like structure filled with digestive enzymes.
With their decorative traps and interior glands that secrete nectar, these plants easily capture unsuspecting insects. According to research, some of their species also consume reptiles.
14. Corpse Lily (Amorphophallus titanium)
Would you for a while imagine a flower that emits a putrid smell capable of attracting insects from miles away? Well, there you have the corpse lily also known as Amorphophallus titanum.
This rare plant which is found in Sumatra, Indonesia is known for its enormous size and can reach heights of up to eight feet. That’s not all, it gets to bloom only once every few years.
15. Okapi
I can guess that you already think the Okapi is a relative of the zebra because of its stripes but that’s not true. Take a quick stare at its long neck and you’ll be convinced that it is more closely related to the giraffe. It is often called the “forest giraffe”
Okapi is native to the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
16. Ghost Orchid
The ghost orchid is a rare parasitic plant that is mostly found in the swamps of Florida and Cuba. This orchid is known for its translucent flowers. It has no leaves and relies on fungi in the soil to obtain nutrients.
It is this ethereal beauty and scarcity that has made the Ghost Orchid a subject of fascination for botanists and photographers.
17. Shoebill
The shoebill also called the whale-headed stork is a large bird found in the wetlands of East Africa that stands tall at around 4 to 5 feet.
What sets this animal apart is its distinctive beak which resembles a shoe or even a prehistoric dinosaur’s beak. Aside from its look, the shoebill is also known for its patient hunting technique, ability to stand motionless for long periods, and intimidating demeanor.
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18. Venus Flytrap
You may have seen this carnivorous plant but maybe you didn’t know that it’s called Venus Flytrap.
This plant is native to the wetlands of North and South Carolina. Like most plants, the Venus Flytrap takes its nutrients from the soil, air, and other gases. However, they also feed on insects on special days.
The plants open their leaves which have specialized trigger hairs and wait for any unsuspecting insects to land on them. When this happens, they snap shut and trap these insects, and trust me, this shut is even faster than an eye blink. With their digesting fluids, they consume these insects and wait for their next victim.
19. Glass Frog
The unique appearance of these translucent skin frogs has made them a subject of fascination for researchers and nature enthusiasts alike. They are found in Central and South America and as their names imply, they have skin that allows their internal organs to be visible.
20. Shy Plant
Just as the name implies, this plant gets very shy, as such, it contracts its leaves when stimulated by touch or sound. Over the years, it has earned itself other names such as touch-me-not, live and die, shame plant, and even curiosity plant.
It is mostly found in tropical America but can also be seen in Australia and India. Aside from just being a shy plant, it has been passed for its healing properties as an ayurvedic medicine. It is used as an antivenom, anticonvulsant, aphrodisiac, antibacterial, and wound-treating plant.
