Every year, scientists discover new animal species that surprise even the most knowledgable researchers. So it should be no surprise that there are thousands of bizarre and elusive animals that most people have never even heard of. After all, humans have only explored less than 5% of the world’s oceans. Ever seen a vampire deer? What about a raccoon dog? Even if you answered yes, chances are there is at least one animal in this list you haven’t heard of yet.Also known as the Japanese Raccoon Dog, the Tanuki is an adorable creature that looks like a raccoon but is actually more closely related to dogs. The raccoon dog is named for its resemblance to the raccoon, to which it is not closely related. They are very good climbers and regularly climb trees. Indigenous to East Asia, Tanukis play important roles in various Japanese folk tales, often described with having magic powers like shapeshifting.The Dhole is a species of canid native to South and Southeast Asia. The dhole is a highly social animal, living in large clans which occasionally split up into small packs to hunt. It primarily preys on medium-sized ungulates, which it hunts by tiring them out in long chases, and kills by disemboweling them. Though fearful of humans, dhole packs are bold enough to attack large and dangerous animals such as wild boar, water buffalo, and even tigers.The Irrawaddy dolphin is a species of oceanic dolphin found near sea coasts and in estuaries and rivers in parts of the Bay of Bengal and Southeast Asia. Genetically, the Irrawaddy dolphin is closely related to the killer whale.The tufted deer is a deer named for its signature black tuft of coarse hair on its head. You may also notice another interesting characteristic: this deer has two large fang-like canine teeth jutting out of its mouth. This vampire deer is a close relative of the muntjac, living somewhat further north over a wide area of central China northeastern Myanmar. They have recently been seen in Afghanistan after their last appearance some 60 years ago.The star-nosed mole is a small mole found in wet low areas of eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. It is easily identified by the 11 pairs of pink fleshy appendages ringing its snout, which is used as a touch organ with more than 25,000 minute sensory receptors, known as Eimer’s organs, with which this hamster-sized mole feels its way around. It is definitely has one of the most unique noses in the animal kingdom.Babirusa, meaning “Hog-deer”, are members of the pig family found in Wallacea, or specifically the Indonesian islands of Sulawesi, Togian, Sula and Buru. If a babirusa does not grind its tusks (achievable through regular activity), they will eventually keep growing so much so as to penetrate the animal’s own skull.Lampreys are a type of jawless fish that live mostly in coastal and fresh waters whose adults are characterized by a toothed, funnel-like sucking mouth. They attach themselves to fish and suck their blood. Lampreys have been around for nearly 300 millions years and their body structure has remained relatively unchanged.A couple things to know about these fish: they can survive on land for up to four days and they’re top level predators who eat frogs and other aquatic wildlife, in addition to other fish. If that’s not enough to scare you, consider the sharp teeth lining their mouths and throats — which they are not afraid to use to protect their young. While they are native to Asia and Africa, they were illegally introduced to the United States, where they are an invasive species.Also known as The Sunda flying lemur, it is not actually a lemur and does not fly. Instead, it glides as it leaps among trees. It is strictly arboreal, is active at night, and feeds on soft plant parts such as young leaves, shoots, flowers, and fruits. The Sunda Coluga can be found throughout Southeast Asia in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.The Amazonian Royal Flycatcher is found in forests and woodlands throughout most of the Amazon basin. They are about 6 1/2 inches in length and like to dart out from branches to catch flying insects or pluck them from leaves. They build very large nests (sometimes up to 6 feet long) on a branches near water. The nest hangs over the water which makes it hard for predators to reach. This bird also clearly has one of the coolest hair-do’s of any animal ever.This odd-looking turtle lives in rivers and streams in Southeast Asia, where it spends 95% of its life motionless beneath sand or mud and only coming up for air twice a day. Why? Well, unlike other turtles who have hard shells for protection, these turtles have a rubbery layer of skin covering their ribs. Still, the Cantor’s giant soft shell turtle has long claws and a bite that can cut through bone. Capable of growing up more than 4 feet in length, it is one of the largest living species of freshwater turtle.No, this slightly adorable, slightly scary thing isn’t a stuffed animal. At an average length of about 4 inches and weighing a quarter of a pound, it’s the world’s smallest armadillo! These elusive creatures are rarely seen in the wild, as they spend most of their time burrowing through sand with their large claws and looking for ants, snails and plants to eat. When they do come above ground, it’s probably to maneuver around rocks and other obstacles. Their soft shells help them to regulate body temperature. Fun fact: the pretty pink hue of the shell actually comes from blood vessels right underneath! Interesting fact: the pretty pink hue of the shell actually comes from blood vessels right underneath!
