Moray Eel

The moray eel is a formidable predator.

Its long, serpentine body allows it to hide reef crevices and ambush prey. Its body is coated in a film of mucus which protects the skin from the rocky and abrasive coral.

The moray eel can grow over 7 feet long and reach a weight of about 65 pounds. It feeds on unsuspecting fish, crabs, and squid.

The moray eel has a unique way of consuming prey. Its sharp teeth are clearly visible and designed to sink into its victim, making escape impossible. But the eel has a second set of jaws hidden in its throat that actually pulls the prey into its esophagus.

Pileated Woodpecker

The pileated woodpecker is a noticeable bird due to its size and colorful head.

This species is native to Canada and parts of the northwest and southeast United States. At 18 inches long, the pileated woodpecker is the largest woodpecker in North America.

True to their name, the pileated woodpecker uses its extremely strong beak to peck away tree bark. They do this to craft a nest for shelter by hollowing out part of a tree and also to search for insects to eat.

The pileated woodpecker’s peck is about 1300 g’s of force. This is about 13x more than the force needed to cause a concussion in humans.

These birds will excavate insects from trees, but will also eat fruit and nuts. Pileated woodpeckers mate for life.

Rock Hyrax

The rock hyrax is a bizarre creature about 2 feet in length and weighing up to 10 pounds. It inhabits areas of Africa and the Middle East in rocky, arid environments often among rocks and cliffs.

Although it looks like a rodent, it is not. The rock hyrax is its own species entirely and more closely related to elephants than mice. In fact, the hyrax has tusks! Their incisor teeth continue to grow beyond their mouth and appear as small, mini tusks.

Rock hyraxes feed on grasses and shrubs. They live in colonies of over 70 individuals and communicate through a complex vocal system of unique sounds and chirps.

Jerboa

The jerboa is a unique rodent that looks like a cross between a mouse and a kangaroo.

Jerboas are native to China and Mongolia and tend to inhabit arid deserts. They feed on seeds and insects.

Their odd appearance is a purposeful adaptation that allows them to evade predators by hopping rapidly away on soft sand. They can even bounce sideways to confuse a predator in pursuit.

These cute creatures can run 15 mph and jump up to 10 feet high. Their powerful hind legs, which can be as long as their torso, equips them with this amazingly bizarre ability.

Chital

The chital is a spotted deer native to India.

Males have antlers that can grow up to three feet in length. They shed their antlers each year.

Most herds consist of about 10 – 60 members. Chital can live up to 30 years old.

They eat grasses and various vegetation including tree leaves and bark during the dry season.

Bonnethead Shark

This is not a baby hammerhead shark.

Surprisingly, it is a bonnethead shark which looks very similar to its much, much larger hammerhead relative.

Full-grown, bonnethead sharks measure just 3 feet long.

They inhabit the coastlines along the Eastern United States and parts of South America. These sharks prefer waters close to the shore often with a sea grass, estuary, or reef environment.

Bonnethead sharks are bizarre because they are the only species of shark on Earth known to be omnivorous. They eat both prey, such as crabs, fish, and octopi, as well as vegetation, such as sea grass.

Tanuki

Meet the tanuki.

Also referred to as “raccoon dog” due to its appearance, this animal is actually not related to the raccoon at all.

Tanukis are more closely related to the fox, but have quite a few features that set them apart as bizarre beasts.

They live in small family units (packs) or pairs and will forage during the day or night for food. Tanukis hunt for fish, rodents, lizards, and insects, but will also eat berries, nuts, and fruit.

Although their fur adds bulk to their frame, tanukis only weigh about 10 – 20 pounds. That fur, however, does play an important role in keeping them warm during the winter.

Tanukis are the only canids on the planet that hibernate for the winter. They can put on approximately half their body weight in fat to last through the cold season.

Native to East Asia, tanukis have long been a part of Japanese mythology. According to the folklore, they had the ability to shapeshift and would often cause mischief among unsuspecting humans.

Black-Crowned Night Heron

The black-crowned night heron is so named due to its hunting schedule. These birds prefer to forage for prey after sundown and before sunrise.

Their striking, red eyes help absorb light as they stalk in the darkness. The black-crowned night heron will often ambush small fish or frogs by wading into the shallows and waiting patiently until a victim swims close enough to be eaten.

This species has also been observed to repetitively click its beak underwater to mimic a beetle flailing in the water. This, in turn, attracts fish who become the heron’s next meal.

Black-crowned night herons mate for life and often form a group of nests with other birds called a rookery.

The black-crowned night heron is one of the most prolific birds on the planet, inhabiting every continent except Australia and Antarctica.

Nyala

Nyala are one of Africa’s many antelope species.

They are easily identified by their white stripes, shaggy coats, and twisted horns.

These ruminants eat a variety of plant matter including grasses, leaves, and bark. They spend most of their time in forested areas as their unique markings act as camouflage among the trees.

A male nyala is about twice the size of a female and can weigh over 200 pounds. Young males have an abundance of stripes (much like female nyala) which then fade over time. It is thought that this helps young bucks avoid confrontation with older, dominant males that may view them as a threat.

Red Panda

The red panda is native to northern Asia and inhabits the countries of Nepal, China, and Myanmar.

It’s thick, red fur helps insulate against the cold climate. Despite its colorful appearance, their fur actually helps camouflage them in the shadows of trees.

Red pandas are aboreal and spend most of their time in trees or searching for their favorite food, bamboo. They can eat up to 30% of their bodyweight in bamboo each day.

In fact, these creatures have a specialized appendage called the pseudothumb which is an extension of the wrist bone. This helps increase movability in trees and provides a better grip for bamboo shredding.

They are not related to pandas, despite their name and diet preference.