Earth is home to over 8.7 million different species. That’s more than you could ever learn on those little wooden blocks they give you when you’re a kid. To celebrate the diversity of species on our planet, here’s a little bit about eight interesting animals you’ve probably never heard of.
1. Bluespine unicornfish
While unicornfish don’t have a horn in the way we’d think of, the appendage that sticks out from above the space between its eyes looks like a variation of a unicorn horn. These species live in the Indo-Pacific region of seas. The function of its “horn” is still unknown. View a picture here: https://unsplash.com/s/photos/bluespine-unicornfish
2. Diane’s bare-hearted glass frog
Did you know that there is a species of frog that looks just like Kermit the Frog from the Muppets? Discovered in 2015, the Diane’s bare-hearted glass frog is unique in the appearance of its eyes, which mirror the white outside and black pupils of Kermit. Glass frogs are special in and of themselves because when looking under their bellies, you can see through and into them, organs and all. View a picture here: http://www.sci-news.com/biology/science-hyalinobatrachium-dianae-dianes-bare-hearted-glassfrog-02719.html
3. Red-lipped batfish
Pucker up for this unique fish that looks like it wears bright red lipstick. The red-lipped batfish’s signature almost-fluorescent lips are unusual, but not the only strange trait about them. Despite being able to swim, this fish has evolved to have fins that act almost like legs. With its fish lipstick and makeshift legs, you could almost be convinced that it’s preparing for the runway. View a picture here: https://unsplash.com/s/photos/red-lipped-batfish
4. Satanic leaf tailed gecko
Stick bugs are the more well-known immitator of tree parts, but satanic leaf tailed geckos do something equally spectacular, although in a slightly more unnerving way. The gecko’s body and tail look exactly like a brown leaf. It is an incredible camouflager, but with opaque eyes and slitted pupils, its appearance earns the ominous name. View a photo here: https://unsplash.com/s/photos/satanic-leaf-tailed-gecko
5. Green basilisk lizard, aka ‘Jesus lizard’
It feels right to follow up the satanic gecko with its reptilian counterpart, the basilisk lizard. The aptly nicknamed ‘Jesus lizard’ can run across water on its hind legs. It uses a combination of fringes on its body, its light weight and speed to keep from sinking as it runs on top of the water’s surface. View a photo here: http://westerndigs.org/fossil-of-earliest-known-jesus-lizard-a-reptile-that-walked-on-water-discovered-in-wyoming/
6. Svalbard reindeer
If you were to Google “miniature reindeer” online, you’d find ads encouraging you to buy plastic reindeers for your holiday decorating. What you won’t immediately find is information about the Svalbard reindeer, a small subspecies of reindeer in Norway. They are the smallest reindeer species, making them the reindeer equivalent of ponies. View a photo here: https://unsplash.com/s/photos/svalbard-reindeer
7. Pangolin
Pangolins are fascinating in that they look like a mixture of different species. Are they anteaters? Are they armadillos? Well, their body is shaped like an anteater and they eat bugs with their long tongues. But at the same time, they are covered in scales. They are endangered, but hope is not lost for these strange and oddly adorable creatures. Efforts by Save Pangolins, the World Wildlife Fund, and others are working to restore the pangolin population. View a photo here: https://unsplash.com/s/photos/pangolin
8. Lilac breasted roller
If you tried to find a bird that could double as a rainbow, you’d be hard pressed to find a better one than the lilac breasted roller. With green on its head and feathers of magenta, blue, brown, tan, orange and turquoise, the lilac breasted roller is spectacularly unique and beautiful. If you’re ever in Southern Africa, keep an eye out, because these birds are not ones you’d want to miss. View a photo here: https://unsplash.com/s/photos/lilac-breasted-roller
This list is only the beginning. Be curious, and discover more about Earth’s incredible species!
Sources
- https://www.georgiaaquarium.org
- http://www.sci-news.com: photo credit for Diane’s bare hearted glass frog