▲We often grow up learning about the same popular animals—lions, elephants, dogs, monkeys—but there are so many underappreciated species that are left behind! Spread across the four corners of the Earth are strange and intriguing creatures that often exceed our imagination, exhibiting shapes and colors that only Mother Nature could design. Click through for a thorough introduction to the world's weirdest and most wonderful animals.

▲The most peculiar thing about this primate, besides its nose, is its big lips. They can be found in the south of China, as well as Vietnam and Myanmar.

▲This beautiful species of bird, with a bright headdress-like plume of feathers, is found in regions of South America.

▲Nicknamed the Dumbo octopus in a nod to Disney's flying elephant, this extraordinary-looking animal has a pair of protruding ear-like fins attached to its head and is armed with eight tentacles.

▲This species of antelope, with a flexible nose similar to that of an elephant, is under threat of extinction. It has been found in parts of Mongolia, as well as other areas of Asia and Africa.

▲The nose of this mole species is definitely weird looking, but it serves an important purpose. Moles have terrible vision, so the nose helps them to feel things.

▲This species of moth is found in Venezuela, and it especially intrigued scientists because of its furry legs.

▲Found in South America, this wolf has long, thin legs, that distinguish it from all the others of its genus.

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This curious animal looks like it's ready for a night out. Native to the Galapagos Islands, this species is also known for being able to "walk" on the seabed, using its fins as extra pairs of legs.

(Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 2.0)

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A bite much, isn't it? Even though this toothed fish is a relative of the fearsome piranha, its not-so-pearly whites are quite harmless. In fact, it feeds on aquatic vegetation, snails, and fallen nuts.

(Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)

▲This tiny, jumping rodent can be found in China, Mongolia, and northeastern Africa.

▲This colorful crustacean is one of the most intriguing animals in the world. The small beady-eyed creature is actually an accomplished predator and literally clubs its prey to death.

▲Also known as a whalehead stork, this bird has some similar characteristics to a stork and a toucan, and can be found in Sudan and Zambia.

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Also known as the banded duiker or the striped-back duiker, this animal can be found in the Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.

(Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)

▲This tiny nocturnal primate is native to Madagascar. Besides a fun name and an over-caffeinated look, it also has one finger that is longer than the others to better reach the larvae in the holes of trees.

▲This species of mammal, similar to a hedgehog, can be found in the tropical forests of Madagascar. It is the only mammal that uses stridulation to generate sound, similar to that of a rattlesnake.

▲This carnivorous mammal, resembling a cross between a cat and a hyena, can be found on the island of Madagascar.

▲This small reptile sports a coat of ridges and spines, is around 20 cm (less than 8 in) in length and lives in Australia. Though it seems quite tough, it actually just eats ants.

▲This mammal gets as close to flying as mammals can, with flaps of skin like wings. Colugos can be found in Southeast Asia.

▲This is what it looks like when it flies from tree to tree!

▲Lampreys are freshwater fish, similar to eels, just with mouths that resemble a terrifying sea monster.

▲Also referred to as "blue dragon" for its ultramarine hue and fan-like wings, this species measures just 4 cm (1.5 in) in length and swims in a vertical position.

▲This rodent shares some physical characteristics with a hare, but with longer legs, and can be found in South America.

▲Also known as an Chinese softshell turtle, this species has a fairly odd overall appearance. Instead of a hard shell, the turtle sports a leathery and pliable "home" on its back.

▲This African animal is, perhaps unsurprisingly, also known as the giraffe gazelle—though it is not directly related to either.

▲True to its name, this is one of the rarest mammals in the world, and it's only found in Argentina.

▲This animal looks like a cross between a pig and a rhinoceros, and it's found on the Indonesian Islands.

▲The animators at Disney/Pixar couldn't have designed a more comical creature. Actually known as the Mexican salamander, or Mexican walking fish, it resembles a slightly neglected rag doll.

▲This bulky, herbivorous mammal is similar in shape to a pig, but has a short, prehensile nose trunk. It is found broadly in regions of Central and South America, and Southeastern Asia.

▲When you see it curled up in the distance, this palm-sized bat resembles an adorable ball of cotton. Found only in Central America, it feeds on vegetation and fruit.

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Closely related to the sea cucumber, this bizarre creature lives in the dark depths of the world's oceans, and propels itself by inflating and deflating its legs with water.

(Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

▲If any creature can out-stare you it's this bug-eyed, tree-hugging primate that seems to be in permanent shock. One of the smallest primates in the world, it weighs around 140 g (less than 5 oz) and stands just 15 cm (5.9 in) tall.

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This incredibly rare deep-sea shark could use a good dentist. A peculiar fish to say the least, it's also called a "living fossil," as it is the only existing representative of a 125-million-year-old family lineage.

(Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 2.0)

▲This strange looking bat, hidden in the jungles of New Guinea, has many strange features, but the most pronounced is definitely its protruding nostrils.

▲Hovering to feed, this handsome moth resembles its namesake in flight and even in sound. It loves nectar-rich flowers.

▲Zebras aren't the only ones who wear stripes! This curious mammal is native to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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This galaxy-colored crustacean is blessed with an exotic overcoat, and wooed scientists so much they christened the crayfish Cherax pulcher—"pulcher" in Latin means "beautiful."

(Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY 4.0)

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Actually a wingless wasp, this striking but minuscule creepy crawly is named for its black and white pattern reminiscent of a panda's coat. It can be found in Chile, Argentina, and certain regions of Mexico.

(Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY 2.0)

▲This species of marine mammal, also known as the sea cow, can be found in tropical regions of the Indian and Pacific Ocean. The dugong can grow to be nearly 3 m (9.8 ft) long, and weigh around 300 kg (660 lbs).

▲This organism consists of a transparent, gelatinous body, a slimy sludge of life that sustains itself by pumping water through its internal feeding filters. It doesn't get much simpler than this.

▲This native African mammal has a long snout, hence its name.

▲This species of dolphin can be found in coastal regions of Asia. It lacks the long snout characteristic of the dolphins we are used to seeing.

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Found in parts of India, this frog typically has a swollen body and a pointed snout, and it spends most of its life underground.

(Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)

▲This nightmarish species was found in the Gulf of Mexico in 2002, though it is believed to be extinct.

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Discovered in waters by Tasmania, this fish simply can't be bothered to swim. Instead, it uses its rose-colored pectoral and pelvic fins to walk across the seabed.

Check out these red animals that need to be seen to be believed!

(Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY 3.0)

Walking fish and flying lemurs: Bizarre animals you’ve never heard of

From the hilariously absurd to the strangely terrifying

16/05/19 por StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE Animals

We often grow up learning about the same popular animals—lions, elephants, dogs, monkeys—but there are so many underappreciated species that are left behind! Spread across the four corners of the Earth are strange and intriguing creatures that often exceed our imagination, exhibiting shapes and colors that only Mother Nature could design. Click through for a thorough introduction to the world's weirdest and most wonderful animals.