20 Coolest Animals You Never Knew Existed

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The world is full of living things. In fact, there are over 2 million known species! Scientists also speculate that there are more to be found. These animals range from tiny to massive and from deadly to lovable and everything in between.  

Despite their rarity and unique qualities, most of the incredible animals included on our list are sadly also featured on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List.

The IUCN Red List serves as a clear and broadly recognized framework for categorizing species at significant risk of global extinction. It categorizes species into nine distinct groups: not evaluated, data deficient, least concern, near threatened, vulnerable, endangered, critically endangered, extinct in the wild, and extinct.

It’s important to note that the IUCN Red List criteria are not applied to animals held in captivity.

Since no creature is more incredible than any other, our catalog of animals is listed in alphabetical order— so find out about 20 of the most incredible animals you never knew existed!

Aye-Aye

Aye-aye, nocturnal lemur of Madagascar.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Perhaps the “world’s weirdest primate”, aye-ayes are the largest nocturnal primates and the only nocturnal lemur. Their possum-like faces, mouse-like teeth, and bat-like ears make the aye-aye a very unusual-looking creature. They also have bushy tails that are larger than their bodies!

Wild aye-ayes are found on Madagascar’s east coast and the forests of the northwest. Aye-ayes are listed as endangered by the IUCN.

Blobfish

Blob fish
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Considered the “world’s ugliest animal”, blobfish feature droopy faces and slimy, jelly-like bodies that are both amusing and, well, ugly.

They have no teeth and are less than a foot long. Interestingly, the blobfish was only discovered in 1983 and named in 2003 after a children’s British TV character— Mr Blobby.

These bottom feeders live at depths of 1,900 to 3,900 feet, where atmospheric pressure is high and they require soft, squishy bones and body.

When removed from the water, the blobfish’s body doesn’t retain its shape and kind of becomes shapeless (similar to a jellyfish). Blobfish are found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Some scientists believe they may become endangered soon. 

Blue Dragon Sea Slug

Blue dragon sea slug
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

The blue dragon sea slug, sometimes called the “blue angel” is a stunning example of a sea slug. These tiny creatures grow to only about 1.2 inches long and, as their name would suggest, feature a bright blue color.

Interestingly, they spend most of their lives upside-down, floating on the surface of tropical and subtropical waters (Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans).

Watch out, though— blue dragon sea slugs often float ashore in groups called a “blue fleet” and sting unsuspecting swimmers!

Given the small size of the blue dragon sea slug, scientists are unable to determine whether they are endangered or not. 

Blue-Ringed Octopus

Bluering octopus
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Blue-ringed octopuses are miniature, adorable, and deadly. They are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, but you must resist the urge to go near them!

As their name suggests, these cephalopods feature patterns of blue rings on their bodies.

However, those blue rings are symbolic of the tetrodotoxin (a neurotoxin) they possess – with some reports stating that it is 1,000 times more toxic than cyanide.

One bite from a blue-ringed octopus has a large enough dose to kill a human.

They are found in tide pools and coral reefs of the Pacific and Indian Oceans and are not considered endangered by the IUCN.

Dhole

dhole wild dog
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

The dhole (pronounced ‘dole’), often referred to as “the whistling dog”, is about the size of a German shepherd, and is most closely related to an African wild dog.

They vary in color, depending on their habitat, and have rounded ears with a fox-like tail.

Wild dholes are found in different habitats in eastern and south-eastern Asia. The IUCN lists dholes as endangered.

Dumbo Octopus

dumbo octopus
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

As the name may suggest, these deep-sea octopuses resemble Disney’s Dumbo and his ears. It’s sometimes even called the “cutest octopus in the world” for its likeness to the famed flying elephant.

While only about 8 inches in length, these octopuses live at depths of 9,800 to 13,000 feet. Like the blobfish, its body is quite gelatinous and does not maintain its shape when on land.

It is suspected that the dumbo octopus lives in oceans around the world. The IUCN lists it as a least concern.

Gerenuk

Gerenuk
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Gerenuk, a type of antelope, are fascinating mammals – they can live their whole lives without drinking a drop of water! However, they do get their water from eating plants.

Gerenuk has evolved over time to feature a long, slender neck with a disproportionately small head to reach their thirst-quenching food. However, their eyes (complete with long, fluffy eyelashes) and ears are relative to the size of their body, giving them a somewhat comical look.

To reach even higher foliage, gerenuks stand on their hind legs! Wild gerenuks are found primarily in savannahs and deserts in East Africa and are listed as near threatened by the IUCN.

Glass Frog

glass frog
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Glass frogs are a common way to refer to over 150 species of frog. What sets these species apart from other frogs is they typically have transparent skin! You read that correctly, you can see through their skin.

You can even see a glass frog’s heart beating, along with some of its other organs. Most glass frogs grow to a length of one inch and only live in the humid forests of Central America.

Given there are so many species of glass frog, the IUCN lists their status as ranging from vulnerable to critically endangered.

Kitti’s Hog-Nosed Bat

kittis hog nosed bat
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Commonly referred to as a bumblebee bat, Kitti’s Hog-Nosed Bat is among the rarest type of bat in the world. It’s also the smallest mammal (by length) in the world, according to Guinness World Records, reaching only 1 inch in length and two grams in weight!

Kitti’s Hog-Nosed Bats also have pig-like noses, as their name would suggest. These bats are found in Vietnam and Myanmar and are considered near threatened by the IUCN.

Matamata Turtle

Mata mata freshwater turtle
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

The matamata turtle’s most defining feature is its unique shell (called a carapace). The shell is jagged and bumpy, with cone-like protrusions – it almost resembles a version of an armored car! It also features a flat, triangular head, a wide mouth, and a cylindrical snout.

These creatures can weigh as much as a four-year-old child! Matamata turtles favor shallow waters and are found throughout the Amazon, as well as in Trinidad. They are not listed by the IUCN but are considered near threatened on the Colombia Red List.

Narwhal

narwhals
Image Credit: Depositphotos.

Known as the “unicorns of the sea”, narwhals are distinct-looking whales, with the males featuring a long tusk protruding from their heads. The tusk is actually a tooth and can grow up to 10 feet in length. They sometimes even have two tusks!

Females rarely have tusks. The tusks are used for hunting and to assert dominance.

Narwhals do not migrate and spend their entire lives in the chilly Arctic waters of Canada, Greenland, Norway, and Russia.

The IUCN lists narwhals as least concern, as their population is estimated to be over 100,000.

Okapi

okapi
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Sometimes called “forest giraffes”, okapis are adorable creatures that look like a mix of a zebra and a giraffe!

They have black and white striped legs, with a similar head shape to a giraffe.

In fact, okapis are the only living relative of a giraffe. Wild okapis are only found in the Democratic Republic of Congo and are listed as endangered by the IUCN.

Pangolin

pangolin
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Despite looking quite reptilian, pangolins are mammals! With their scale-covered bodies, pangolins look similar to armadillos, however, they are considered more closely related to something like a skunk.

There are eight different species of pangolins, found across two continents (Africa and Asia).

Believed to be the most trafficked (non-human) mammal in the world, it’s no wonder that the IUCN lists these species as ranging from vulnerable to critically endangered.

Pink Fairy Armadillo

Pink Fairy Armadillo
Image Credit: Cliff, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons.

With a name like the pink fairy armadillo, this creature definitely makes the list of incredible animals.

These cuties are the smallest armadillo species in the world – they’re about the size of a dollar bill! The soft, white fur on its underbelly is reminiscent of a tutu.

Very little is known about these elusive, nocturnal creatures since they spend most of their lives underground.

Wild pink fairy armadillos are found only in Central Argentina. The IUCN lists pink fairy armadillos as data deficient, meaning their status is currently unknown.

Resplendent Quetzal

resplendent quetzal
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Resplendent quetzals look like something out of a fairy tale! Their vibrant blues, greens, and reds, and beautiful long tail feathers are the envy of birds everywhere.

However, their iconic tail feathers are only seen on males during the breeding season to impress the females – similar to how a male peacock will spread its feathers.

The resplendent quetzal is found in South America and has an estimated population of 50,000. The IUCN lists the resplendent quetzal as near threatened.

Rusty Spotted Cat

Rusty Spotted Cat. Smallest wild at in the world from sri lanka (Prionailurus rubiginosus)
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Don’t let their miniature, kitten-like looks fool you – rusty-spotted cats may be the smallest cats in the world, but these felines are excellent hunters.

Weighing only 1.7 to 3.5 pounds, these nocturnal creatures are very active and agile and hunt prey that is larger than them, such as birds and small reptiles.

Rusty-spotted cats are found in India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. The ICUN lists rusty spotted cats as near threatened.

Saola

Saola
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Commonly referred to as the ‘Asian unicorn’, saola are incredibly rare creatures. Saolas are so rare that they were only discovered in 1992 and have only been observed in the wild four times since.

Weighing between 170-220 pounds and measuring 33 inches at the shoulder, these creatures look like a cross between a deer and a goat with some unusual markings on their faces.

No saolas exist in captivity and are listed as critically endangered by the IUCN, with estimates of their population only in the hundreds.

Shoebill

shoebill
Image Credit: Depositphotos.

Shoebills are so fantastical-looking that they wouldn’t look out of place in a Jurassic Park movie. Shoebills can reach a height of 5 feet and a weight of 12 pounds and can have a wingspan of eight feet.

One of the shoebill’s defining features is its razor-sharp bill that is one foot long and is considered the third-longest bird beak in the world. Their large bill even allows them to snack on baby alligators!

Shoebills are found in freshwater swamps of Africa and are considered vulnerable by the IUCN.

Short-Horned Lizard

Short-Horned Lizard
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

At first glance, the short-horned lizard doesn’t seem all that distinct from the many other lizards of the world. However, the short-horned lizard has one very unique ability: it shoots blood out of its eyes!

This defensive move, which can reach a distance of 3 feet, is meant to confuse its predators and contains a chemical that is noxious to canines.

Short-horned lizards are found in central-western America. The IUCN considers this blood-shooting beast as one of least concern.

Vaquita

Vaquita
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

As the world’s “rarest marine mammal,” vaquitas are small porpoises. They weigh only 120 pounds and reach a length of 5 feet.

Vaquitas feature dark coloring around their eyes and dark patches on their mouths. Their underside is white, and their sides and back are gray.

The IUCN considers vaquitas critically endangered, with their population only numbering between 10 and 30. You read that correctly: 10 to 30 individual vaquitas.

Vaquitas are found only in the northern Gulf of California.

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Caitriona Maria is an education writer and owner of The Facts Institute. A teacher for seven years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.