Platypus

The platypus is the only mammal that lays eggs. You can go onto http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/platypus/ to learn more in detail facts about the platypus. When going onto this website the facts that you will come across will be about: where they live, characteristics, food, and the rare reproduction process.

Platypus is one of the most bizarre of all mammals. These animals even look strange they almost have a duck like bill with a combination of almost a beavers body. The platypuses fur is water proof just like the otter. So basically this animal has the make up of three different animals. On top of its make up the platypus can be venomous. The male platypuses are in fact venomous which is how they defend themselves against prey. You can find these animals in habitats that are closer to water and they are especially found by the Indian Ocean. These animals are great swimmers which is probably because of their adaptation to have webbed feet. "Platypuses hunt underwater, where they swim gracefully by paddling with their front webbed feet and steering with their hind feet and beaver like tail." Most of their diet comes from the water especially  little creatures found on the bottom such as: worms, shellfish and larvae. The most bizarre thing about these animals is that they are the only mammals that lay eggs. One of the things that classify mammals as mammals is that the give birth t their young and produce milk, which is why the platypus is so strange. The platypus is the exception to the rule but it is still a mammal.

Sea Otter

The Sea Otter is the most interesting of all the otters. On the website http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/sea-otter/ it describes in further detail the sea otter life , behaviors along with habitat, and diet.

Sea otters are truly one of my favorite animals. These animals are classified as the smallest marine mammals. Sea otters spend all of their live in the sea and virtually do everything there expect sleep and rest. "Sea otters have webbed feet, water-repellent fur to keep them dry and warm, and nostrils and ears that close in the water." These adaptations help the otter spend most of their time in the water without a problem. Even though they sometimes sleep ashore for the most apart these animals float on their backs drifting in a group as they sleep. To ensure stability from the rough ocean the otter tends to wrap himself around seaweed or plant life in the sea. These animals are the only otters that do in fact give birth in the water. They take care of their young by floating along with its baby on its chest. The craziest thing about otters is that they have learned to use tools. A tool by definition is something that is used to make a job easier. "Otters will place the rock on their chests, and repeatedly smash the shellfish against it until it breaks open to reveal the tasty meal inside." These otters are truly bizarre but really amazing to learn about.

Jaguarundi

Jaguarundis looks like a normal household cat, but this cat is in fact a wild animal. If you click her http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/jagurandi.htm the website discusses the different aspects about this cats life such as: characteristics, diet, life cycle, range, habitat, and behavior. It also includes pictures of the jaguarundi.

Although a jaguarundi appears to look like a common house cat but a little larger it is not fit to be a pet. This cat lives in the wild and can be found from South of the USA  to South America. Most of the time you can find this animal by the water or in bushy plant filled areas. This cat has an extremely long tail and short legs; furthermore, this cat looks very similar to a normal house cat but is a tad bit larger. For such a small animal this cat has a very interesting choice of diet. Jaguarundi hunts both during the day and at night; they mostly eat small mammals, birds and reptiles. Cats as we know them hate water which is why this cat is bizarre, in fact the jaguarundi is known to be an amazing swimmer which is why it sometimes feeds on fish. Like some cats the jaguarundi for the most part likes to be alone until it is ready to mate and raise its young. This common looking wild cat is very bizarre mostly for its resemblance to the house cat and for the fact that an animal that we think is dependent on humans for the most part can live in the wild and survive on its own.

Tapirs

Tapirs are very weird and strange animals, if you go onto http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/tapir/ the author talks about life, 

environment , and also about its ancestral ties to other animals. You can learn about the Tapir in further detail by clicking onto that website.

Tapirs have lived through out history with little change to the animal. These mammals have been around for almost 35 million years.Four different classes of Tapir walk the earth today: South American, Mountain, Baird's, and the Malayan tapir. It is said that the tapir had the appearance of a pig but with a trunk. These animals are actually related to horses and rhinos, not pigs. You can find this strange animal in South and Central America along with Asia. In addition, tapirs tend to spend much of their life in the water and often go in all the way to cool themselves off while keeping their trunk above the water; they use it as almost a snorkel to breathe. These animals eat mostly plants both in and out of the water. Tapirs are amazing swimmers which is why they can feed on plant life from the sea because they can dive down to retrieve the food. The thing that makes these animals bizarre but interesting is the fact that they have literally been around for millions of years.

Green Basilisk

Green Basilisk lizard is one of the most interesting and bizarre animals in the world. Go on http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/green-basilisk-lizard/, on this website you can learn about this lizard in more detail. The website discusses its abnormal trait that allows it to walk on water and also more about the lizard itself.

Jesus Christ lizard as most call it, is other wise known as the Green Basilisk. This reptile can be found mostly in Central America. Its habitat is usually in the rain forest anywhere in Central America.  These animals tend to be omnivores, which means that their diet mostly consists of plants, fruit and sometimes insects. Basilisk males are very territorial to their homes. In addition, this lizard has one of the most amazing skills known to man, it can walk on water. Yes, this lizard can literally "walk" on water. To be more realistic the lizard actually runs on the water. Majority of times these lizards like on trees and branches, but when predators approach they tend to do something out of the norm. Furthermore, these lizards drop off the tree or off the branch into the water. Once on the water they start to run. "To accomplish this, they have long toes on their rear feet with fringes of skin that unfurl in the water, increasing surface area. As they rapidly churn their legs, they slap their splayed feet hard against the water, creating a tiny air pocket that keeps them from sinking, provided they maintain their speed." Sense these lizards live in the rain forest they are surrounded with predators so these lizards have to stay on their toes. Basilisk have one of the most bizarre adaptations that allows them to run across the water which is why this animal is a bizarre but interesting animal.

Somali Wild Ass

Somali wild ass almost appears like a zebra, without the stripes on its entire body. If you go on to http://funzoomiami.org/Animals/AllRegions/Mammals/Somalis-Wild-Ass they talk about the wild ass and how it lives. This website also includes where you can find this animal and specific facts.

Somali Wild Ass can be found in Asia and also in East Africa. This mammal lives in desert areas that can go up to about 122 degress. Most of the time you can find this animal in a varitey of places such as grass land, mountain areas, and bushlands. "The Somali’s wild ass is the smallest of the wild equids." The wild ass ressembles the zebra because it has stripes on its legs in the way in which a zebra would have it on their entire body. Due to the Somali's enviornments they usually tend to live alone. They live alone so that they won't have to battle anyone for food and that any food they come across they eat themselves. Like most animals in the desert they try to keep their home around a water source because water is an asscential thing that they need to live. Furthermore, they tend to protect their land from other animals. Although they protect their land once there is a water hole that has been found many times a small heard of somali form. Somali's are very bizzare animals that are very interesting.

Proboscis Monkey

Proboscis Monkeys are very bizarre because of their noses. On http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/proboscis-monkey/ they talk about the monkey and how its nose can be used to attract mates and also the life style of the monkey.

The Proboscis monkey is extremely interesting looking with its facial characteristic. Their noses look as though they are very large for its body. They also use their noses to try and attract mates, which is why only the male monkeys grow the huge noses. Habitats of these monkeys include jungle regions, particularly in South or East Asia. They usually are found near the water such as swamps, coasts, and other moist regions. Like most monkeys the proboscis travels in large groups. Although they live by the water they tend to travel throughout the day and then go back to the water area to sleep. These monkeys are bizarre because they can swim, which is why they live by the water. Proboscis monkeys eat mostly plant life but occasionally eat insects. Stomachs of these monkeys have a special bacteria that helps them virtually eat any type of plant life. For the most part these monkeys are only threatened by native people and also the occasional jaguar. To conclude these monkeys are very strange and the nose makes them very bizarre.

American Badger

The American Badger is found in Northern and Western United States, on the website http://www.theanimalspot.com/americanbadger.htm you can learn more in detail facts about this animal. To be specific this website talks about how the badger lives and interesting facts about it's life's style but in more detail.

American Badgers almost have the appearance of a raccoon but without the mask Their bodies are built close to the same but they are not the same at all. Most of the time you can find the American badger underground in the tunnels in which they have built. Even though these animals spend most of their time underground they are said to be great hunters. That being said, pretty much the majority of animals that live underground are prey to the badgers and are hardly safe as long as they are near. A bizarre thing about the badger is that sometimes the animals partner up with a coyote. In addition, they use their partnership to hunt together. "When the prey burrows underground, the badger digs after it; when the prey emerges from its burrow and runs on the surface, it is pursued by the coyote". Seeing as though these animals are amazing hunters they have little predators. In order for these animals to dig their tunnels they have hug front claws that allow them to go to work underground. These claws are also used if the badger feels in danger and feels the need to protect itself when in danger.  These animals truly are bizarre because they hardly have any predators even though they are about a medium size animal.

Okapi

You ca learn about the Okapi on: http://a-z-animals.com/animals/okapi/. On this website you will  learn about various things about the Okapi such as: classification, anatomy, appearance, habitat, behaviour, reproduction, diet, prey, predators, threats, interesting facts, relationships etc...


Okapi are very interesting animals and are in fact the last remaining ancestors to giraffe. Even though they are related to the giraffe they have one bizarre characteristic that would make you assume they were related to another animal. Okapi have stripes on their rear ends and sometimes on their legs which gives them almost a zebra like appearance. Most people usually associate the zebra and the okapi together rather then knowing that they are literally related to the giraffe. The one similar characteristic that the giraffes and okapi have is that they both obtain a long neck, that being said they are no where near the same length but proportion wise in comparison to its body the two have the disproportionate long neck in common.  Even though the okapi are shy creatures they still might need to defend themselves in a time of danger so just as the giraffe the okapi uses its neck not only to reach for high up food but also to defend itself. These animals can be found in dense tropical rain forest and are said to be endangered. An okapi has a strange diet that can up hold to some plants that are known to be poisonous to humans and other animals. The animal is a very rare and bizarre animal which is why it makes it so interesting to learn about.

Mandrill

The largest monkey is the Mandrill; most people recognize this animal as Rafiki from the Lion King. You can learn more by going on: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/mandrill/. This website explains that monkeys life style and where it lives. Also where the monkey lives and how it protects itself when in danger.

The Mandrill is one of the most colorful animals in the world. This monkey is also the largest in the world. The Mandrill is said to be shy and reclusive animals. The red and blue colors on their faces and their brightly hued butts. Although they have huge teeth, which they use to defend themselves, these animals are quite peaceful with one another. In addition, when they do feel threatened they give a warning yawn. This yawn is used to show off the Mandrills teeth to its enemies to almost scare them off or to show them what they are up against. Mandrill's live in packs of about 20-200 possible members. They feed off of plants, fruits, seeds, insects, and small animals that they find in their environments. Most Mandrills can be found in West Africa. Even though they spend a lot of time on the ground they can also climb trees like other monkeys do. Mandrills can have a life span of about 20 years. These animals are very amazing and bizarre. When I think of a Mandrill I think of Rafiki in the Lion King and a character that they made look literally identical to the animal itself.

Capybara

The world's largest rodent is the Capybara. The Capybara is very bizarre because when you think of most rodents you picture something small like a rat or a mouse; you can learn more about this animal on: http://a-z-animals.com/animals/capybara/. This website explains the animals life style and all of the interesting facts that come along with it.

The Capybara is a semi-aquatic rodent that can be found in Central and South America. Sense these rodents are different from the normal rodents that most are familiar with they like many other animals have different characteristics. Capybara's body is adapted so that this animal can function while in the water. That being said this animal has partially webbed toes and has it's ears, eyes and nostrils towards the top of their heads. These adaptations help the capybara swim in water while being able to see, hear and breath. Weighing at about 77-145lbs with of a length about 3.5-4.5 makes these rodents the largest in the world. In addition, these animals live in grasslands and can also be found in some rainforest. Like many rodents they chose to live with one another usually in small herds and tend to be territorial. They feed mostly on aquatic plants or any type of grass. When trying to find food the capybara start in the early evening; furthermore they tend to not sleep a lot but tend to chill in the water during the midday heat. Capybaras are excellent swimmers and even divers for that matter. Capybaras are truly bizarre but amazing animals that almost look like a giant guinea pig.

Sun Bear

The Sun Bear is the only true tropical bear. More facts about this amazing animal can be found on http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/sun-bear/. The following website describes in better detail what I have summarized, so basically it talks about its life and where you can find the sun Bear.


The Sun Bear is truly an interesting bear that is bizarre but amazing. This bear can be found in south East Asia. It is known mostly as being the one true tropical bear and has different adaptations or characteristics then most bears. Sun bear is the smallest known bear species. This bears body has smooth sleek fur, which is an adaptation seeing as though it lives in tropical environments. This animal got its name from the golden almost bib like spot found upon most of their chest which by legend represents the sun. Another characteristic is that these bears have a short snout and its body can be compared to almost a dog like body because of its proportions. This bear also has enormous claws that are curved which they use for climbing trees. Sun bears feed off of different fruits, eggs, small mammals, and also honey. In fact, another nickname for this bear is the Honey bear. The most bizarre characteristic to this animal is that it has a tongue 10icnches long. They use their tongues to extract insects and honey or other similar food that can be found in holes. This is the most bizarre part about the sun bear because it is defiantly not a normal thing to see a bear with a 10 inch long tongue.

Thorny Devil

The thorny devil is rarely seen and is one of the most interesting lizards. To learn more about this bizarre animal go to: http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/thorny_devil.htm This website talks about how the lizard lives and its life style in detail. It explains in detail where the lizard lives and basically descirbes every aspect of the lizards life.

The Thorny devil which is very rare to see is one of the most interesting look lizards in the world, but are found in Australia It's body is covered in spikes. The lizard can variety in colors and is usually has a length of about 6-7 inches long. What makes this animal bizarre is that even though it has all of its spikes the lizard is not aggressive at all. In fact the way in which it defends itself is quite strange based upon their characteristics. Furthermore instead of using their spikes to protect themselves by ramming their predators and hurting them with their spikes they tend to freeze. The devil can change colors and camouflage into its environment which makes it hard for predators to see them. In addition to that when in defense these lizards tend to put their head in between their legs, which shows a fake head to try and scare off the lurking predator. If that doesn’t work they use another technique which is used when a predator tries to flip the lizard over; furthermore, it puts its spine and curved tail on the ground to stabilize itself to prevent his body from falling. This little guy can also puff itself up just like a blow fish would to try and make itself look bigger than what it really is. I for one think this is the strangest lizard that I have ever seen and the most bizarre based upon its instincts toward danger.

Pygmy Hippopotamus

The Pygmy Hippo is an extremely rare hippopotamus. You can learn more about this form of hippos on:http://www.arkive.org/pygmy-hippopotamus/choeropsis-liberiensis/image-G115186.html On this website they discuss the description of the animal, behavior, biology, and range of the animal.

Pygmy Hippos are a very rare species of all of the hippopotamus. It is very small compared to the normal side of a hippo; to add, they only weigh about 540-560lbs while a hippo ways about 1.5-1.6 tons. Another distinctive characteristic is that these hippos are more adapted to spend their life more on land rather than in the water. Not only do they have different adaptations then the hippo seen at zoos but they also have different characteristics. To add, these characteristics include narrower feet with fewer webbed toes and a less angular head. These hippos can be found in Liberia. Most of the pygmy hippos live alone, but in some cases many live alone close to one another.  Unlike the hippopotamus the pygmy are not territorial; therefore, there is less fighting when they come cross each other’s paths. These animals are pretty peaceful in comparison to the hippopotamus. They eat a variety of plants and fruits. Even though these animals are small for hippos they have very little predators besides leopards and humans. Hippos usually live about 45 years but when these hippos are in captivity they can live up to 55years. I really think this class of the hippopotamus is really interesting especially because of how rare they are. Pygmy hippos are defiantly bizarre but amazing animals.

Bouncing Pebble Toad

 

The Pebble Toad of Venezuela is one bizarre animal. This animal has one of the most abnormal defense mechanisms in the animal kingdom.  To learn more on the Pebble Toad you can visit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Oreophrynella_nigra.

The pebble toad is one of the most peculiar animals that I for one have ever seen. Furthermore, this tiny amphibian like every animal was born with specific instincts in order to survive on their own. Venezuela is home to many animals, but in the mountains is where you can find the pebble toad. The pebble toad’s survival aspects are crucial to its survival because of their tiny size. Sense they are so small they are the prey for many predators in the area. These toads move at rate that is not fast enough to avoid or escape their predators, so in a bizarre manor when they feel they are in danger they just let go. In other words they literally let go of the side of the mountain and go into free fall. The pebble toad is also known as the bouncing toad because it literally bounces down the mountain until it reaches the bottom or flat ground.  It does so by tucking in its arms and legs; this gives the toad a round shape almost like a bouncy ball.  The toad’s rubber like skin allows the toad to bounce off the rough mountain without causing it physical harm. You can see this process in slow motion at the video posted on the bottom of the page.  Life is a movie about all animals and they are the ones who captured the pebble toads amazing escape route in the face of danger. This survival technique is beyond bizarre and one of the most interesting, which is why this animal is classified as a bizarre but amazing animal.