Unusual Animals

If you were to pick the most unusual animal in the world, what would it be? The giraffe because of its long neck? The elephant with its trunk? The zebra that looks like a horse in crazy pajamas?

My mysteries always involve animals.  In researching background on wildlife, I’ve come across some strange creatures.

The duck-billed platypus looks as if its body was formed by a committee—with each committee member picking a part.  This animal has the beak of a duck, the tail of a beaver, and the torso of an otter.  The duck-billed platypus is native to Australia.  The male is one of the world’s few venomous mammals.  It has sharp stingers on the heel of its foot which can discharge this venom.

Next is the midwife toad. This creature carries his eggs on the back of his legs.  Yes, HIS legs. It is the male who does this, which is why this is unusual. When the eggs are ready to hatch, this toad puts his back legs into the water.  Soon after, tiny tadpoles burst out of the eggs and start swimming.

Then there is the pinecone that moves, otherwise known as a pangolin.  Of course, it isn’t a real pinecone—it just looks like a very large one when it rolls up in a ball for protection.  The pangolin does this when it senses danger.  Its dark brown scales are very hard and act as armor.

Another unusual animal is the fainting goat. When frightened, this animal’s muscles become completely stiff and the goat falls over.  Luckily this causes no pain, and the goat recovers in ten to twenty seconds.

The lyrebird is unique not only in its ability to mimic voices, but it can also imitate the sounds of power equipment. These birds have mimicked the noise of a chain saw in the forest and the ring of car alarms.  A single lyrebird also has the ability to imitate the sounds made by an entire flock.   

One of the world’s funniest looking creatures comes from the ocean—the red lipped batfish.  Its bright red lips make it appear as if it is wearing lipstick. It also looks like it has legs, but these are actually fins that it uses to stand on the ocean floor.

While the red-lipped batfish may have a comical appearance, the goblin shark is one of the world’s scariest looking fish.  Often called a “living fossil,” it resembles a pre-historic monster with beady eyes, huge snout, and a bizarre extendable jaw. Elastic tissue allows the jaw to be thrust three inches out when capturing prey.        

I don’t know what animal I’d select as MOST unusual.  Then again, all animals are unique.

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