Nature is full of surprises. All over the world, some animals compete in originality : coconut-eating crabs, hand-held monkeys, lizards with deterrent spines or even flat frogs… Scientists regularly discover new species. Discover the 15 weirdest animals in the world!
The nasal monkey
It is on the island of Borneo that we can meet this rather particular monkey, in the coastal forests or along the rivers. The male has the particularity of being endowed with an impressive nasal appendage, which can even reach his chin!
The nasal monkey
Philippine tarsier
To be able to observe the smallest primate in the world, head for the Philippines and in particular the island of Bohol. Besides his size and his adorable face, the tarsier has eyes that cannot move, but he can rotate his head 180 °.
Philippine tarsier
The dugong, in the Indian Ocean
Among the strangest animals is the dugong, nicknamed the “sea cow”. It feeds on its trunk and sings to exchange with his peers. You may be able to meet it on the coasts of the Indian or Pacific Oceans.
Un dugong
Physalia, in tropical waters
This animal looks like a jellyfish without being one, since it is a marine siphonophore. With her body filled with air, it can float quietly on the surface of tropical seas, well protected by its filaments which can reach 50 meters.
Physalie
Le ligre, in Taiwan
Hybrid animal, the liger is the result of the union between a tigress and a male lion. Its existence is only possible thanks to the intervention of man, you can only admire it in zoos, especially in Taiwan, which has three specimens.
A Ligre
The giant spider crab of Japan
This species of spider crabs is the largest living marine arthropod on earth. It can reach a wingspan of 3,5 meters and live almost 100 years. Its flesh is very popular with the Japanese.
The Japanese Spider Crab
The pig-nosed turtle
Here is a funny beast in our ranking of the strangest animals. Present in China, Papua New Guinea and northern Australia, this turtle has a muzzle that looks very much like a pig's snout!
A pig-nosed turtle
Le glaucus atlanticus
Found in tropical waters, this specimen has a flat, tapered body extended by more than 80 appendices which are gathered by group and radiate on either side of his body. bluish, one could easily confuse it with a Pokémon!
Le glaucus atlanticus
The bristling moloch
Also called “horned devil”, this reptile has an unusual appearance. Endemic species of the Australian bush, his body is covered with thorns which it uses for camouflage and to deter predators.
The bristling Moloch
Le crapaud Pipa pipa
Head to Latin America to find this amphibian as flat as a leaf. The female can reach 20 cm long! It has the specificity of not going through the tadpole box, since it is born directly formed.
The Pipa Pipa crap
The batfish
Here is a pretty fish: with his red or pink lips, it looks like he has done a beauty before posing for the photo! It is in the Galapagos Islands that you will have the most chances to observe it.
The bat fish
Coconut crab
Another giant: this island crab from the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean can reach 1 meter wingspan and 4 kg. His particuliarity ? Its ultra-powerful tweezers can pulverize the coconuts it feeds on.
The coconut crab
The albino whale
This variety of humpback whale is rare, but you might be lucky enough to see it off the coasts of Australia, Mexico or Polynesia. Discovered in 1990, this mastodon is one of the largest marine mammals.
a baby albino whale
Le Aye-Aye
This small lemur endemic to Madagascar seems to be a mix of several animals: rodent incisors, bat ears, a squirrel tail and an extremely elongated third finger.
Aye-Aye
The Ajolote lizard
Nicknamed the “mole lizard” this small reptile lives in Central America. He looks like a big worm, with two tiny tabs at the front. Very useful, they allow it to dig the earth to feed on insects.
The Ajolote Lizard @ marlin harms / Wikipedia Commons
Among the strangest animals in the world, some are worth seeing, aren't they? Do you know of any other weird species? Do not hesitate to share them with us in the comments! And while waiting to go to the other side of the world to discover these species, know that you can also observe animals in the wild (or almost) in France.
