30 of the weirdest animals around the world

The axolotl is probably the most adorable salamander because they always look as if they are smiling. Unlike other salamander species, the axolotl is neotenic, meaning they keep juvenile characteristics all through adulthood (just like many adult male humans).

Also known as a sand puppy and the iconic Rufus on Kim Possible, naked mole rats are, well, naked as its name suggests. They are found mostly in Eastern Africa and live entirely in underground burrows.

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The Pangolin looks a bit like a creature you would see David Goldblum and Laura Dern gushing over in Jurassic Park. Unfortunately, they are one of the most illegally trafficked animals in the world due to the belief that their scales have medicinal powers.

Just why did the Tasmanian Devil receive its diabolical moniker? The name originated from the first European settlers on the island state of Tasmania who heard mysterious growls and screams in the night. The settlers’ irritation spurred the name “devil.”

Unfortunately, these large-eared, beady-eyed bilbies are endangered. There are an estimated 600-700 bilbies left in Australia. Besides feral cats, the most prominent cause of death in bilbies are cattle and sheep taking over their habitats.

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As an animal we only thought we would see in our nightmares, this crossover between an alligator and a fish dates back over 100 million years. They can be found swimming through the freshwater rivers of Rio Grande in Brazil all the way to the Missouri River in the USA.

These wide-eyed, furry mammals can be found swinging from the trees in rainforests. The Kinkajou tail is so strong they can actually climb up it and usually hang upside down from their tail when munching on some fruit (don’t try this at home).

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Cute (but perhaps not cuddly) and widespread across Australia, echidnas are mammals and also known as spiky anteaters. Echidnas can live up to 50 years and are a distant relative to the platypus… and just to add to their cuteness, a baby echidna is known as a puggle.

These little go-with-the-flow sea slugs are a true work of oceanic art. The glaucus atlanticus float upside down, allowing the winds and ocean currents to carry them. But be warned! If you interrupt their relaxing swim, they will sting (and they are venomous).

These happy dolphins look similar to the famous beluga whale with its rounded head and soft smile. The Irrawaddy dolphin is an enormous indicator of the health of freshwater resources and their gradual extinction could be a signal for a larger decline in the whole river ecosystem.