Many, many interesting and unique organisms make up planet earth's Animal Kingdom. We know of the common ones, but what about the others who are not so familiar to us? Just because we've never heard of them, doesn't mean they don't exist. Today, we take a brief look at five beautifully different animals who call this world their home.
Pink Fairy Armadillo
Credit: bbc.co.uk
Credit: Pinterest
Found in parts of Argentina and other areas in South America, this mammal is the only species of its kind with a dorsal shell completely separate from its body. A thin membrane runs along its spine, connecting this shell to its body. The shell's pinkness is caused by underlying blood vessels which are visible through the shell. Interestingly, this Armadillo has the ability to change its shell colour, depending on the environment.
Star-nosed Mole
Credit: telegraph.co.uk
Credit: National Museums Scotland
Found in North America, the Star-nosed Mole is almost completely blind. What it lacks in vision, however, it makes up in speed, being the world’s fastest eater. In fact, this little mammal can find and consume an insect or worm in a quarter of a second! Using its unique star-shaped nose which contains 100,000 nerve fibres, this mole hunts by bopping its head rapidly against the soil. Another interesting fact is that the Star-nosed Mole is one of only two animals in the world with the ability to smell underwater.
Atretochoana
Credit: Huffington Post
Credit: Imgur
Originally, only two specimens of this amphibian were discovered in Brazil in the late 1800s. In 2011, during a dam project in this region, it was rediscovered by engineers. This very rare creature, nicknamed the "penis snake", has sealed nostrils and an enlarged mouth with a mobile cheek. Interestingly, it does not have any lungs and breathes through its skin by means of gas exchange. The Atretochoana feeds on small fish and worms, hunting by smell due to it's poor eyesight.
Shoebill Stork
Credit: huwikipedia.org
Dwelling in large swamps of East Africa, these prehistoric-looking birds seem unreal. Some people who do not know of their existence refuse to believe they are an actual animal. Due to living in areas humans find difficult to reach, the Shoebill is still rather a mystery. Standing 140cm tall with the tendency to stay still for long periods, it has been described as statue-like. The Shoebill generally lays 1-2 eggs at a time (sometimes 3), however only the strongest chick survives. The remaining one dies either from lack of food or if its sibling kill it. To hear what a Shoebill sounds like, watch the video below.
Credit: Pinterest
Goblin Shark
Credit: The Evolving Planet
Inhabiting the deep recesses of oceans around the world, this reddish-pink shark measures 3-4 m long. It can be found between 270-1300 m under the sea and avoids sunlight, granting it the nickname "vampire shark". Its elongated snout is filled with electroreceptors which pick up the electrical fields of prey similarly to a metal detector. The Goblin Shark sweeps its snout back and forth over the seabed waiting for its prey to come close enough to be snapped up. Due to poor eyesight and sluggish movements, the Goblin Shark poses no real danger to humans. Sadly, some have died in captivity after only a few days, suggesting they are reliant on their habitat for survival.
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