10 Strange Creatures You Never Knew Existed
Animals, Lists, Nature, Shocking, WeirdThe world is a fascinating place filled with unusual animals and underwater creatures that many of us have never seen or heard of in our lives. Some might seem like characters from a movie and, without scientific proof, we would quite likely assume that many were simply folklore creatures. However, peculiar organisms can be found in remote places across the globe. Prepare to be utterly shocked as we show you some creatures you never even knew existed.
The Pacu Fish
Also known as the ‘testicle eating’ fish or the ‘ball cutter’ this freshwater fish is usually found in the rivers of the Amazon and Papua New Guinea. Although the Pacu’s regular diet consist of fruits, nuts and small fish, it has also been known to eat human flesh-more specifically testicles- with its human-like teeth.
The Okapi
Despite its Zebra like appearance, the Okapi is actually more closely related to giraffes and is native to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa.
The Blue Parrotfish
This exotic blue creature spends 80% of its time scouring the waters for food and can be found in the Atlantic Ocean.
The Bergamasco Shepherd
The Bergamasco shepherd is ideal for the freezing alps due to its dense coat. It is used for herding cattle and sheep and can weigh up to 80 pounds.
Pyura Chilensis (The Living Rock)
These unusual ‘rocks’ are actually living, breathing sea organisms which live in the coasts of Peru and Chile. They are often mistaken for rocks until they are cut open to reveal a mass of organ surrounded by a layer of muscle and skin. The ‘living rock’ is also a hermaphadite having both male and female organs.
The Panda Ant
These adorable looking creatures are not actually ants, but wasps. The name panda ant is as a result of their black and white color, similar to that of a panda. They are wingless and have fur on their body which explains why they are often mistaken for ants
The Purple Atelopus Frog
Also known as the purple harlequin frog, this species was discovered in 2006. Hailing from Central and South America this two-toned frog has fluorescent lavender loops atop an eggplant colored background.
The Yeti Crab
Named after the fabled abominable snowman of the Himalayas, the Yeti crab got its name due to its feathery hands and legs. This blind deep sea creature was first discovered in 2005 along the Pacific-Antarctic ridge.
The Leaf-tailed Gecko
You would probably never notice this creature in the wild due to its amazing ability to camouflage. True to its name, the leaf-tailed gecko is usually brown or green in color and its tail looks like a leaf. It is also known as the flat-tailed gecko and is found in an African Region known as Madagascar.
The Ankole-Watusi
Arguably the most striking member of the bovine family, the Ankole-Watusi is a breed of cattle known for their large distinctive horns. Also know as the Ankole Longhorn these cattle are natives of Africa and their horns can grow up to 8 feet from tip-to-tip.