World's 10 Most Bizarre Land Animals

Here are 10 bizarre land animals.

As species adapt and develop over time, they can pick up some really strange physical traits and abilities.

Here are 10 truly bizarre land animals.

Number 10. Thorny devil. Lizard scales aren’t typically headline makers, but this reptile is covered with sharp, pointed ones. Not born to be a cuddler, the thorny creature is a pro at keeping potential predators away.

Number 9. Saiga antelope. These creatures have some seriously odd noses. Its bulbous shape extends past the mouth and flexes in a way that is somewhat reminiscent of an elephant trunk. The noses are also inflatable.

Number 8. Pea-sized frog. When an animal is small enough to fit in the tip of a pencil, it’s a good bet that hiding is one of its greatest skills. Such is the case of this tiny Malaysian rain forest frog, which was misidentified as a juvenile for over 100 years.

Number 7. Pink Fairy Armadillo. If you see something that looks like a rodent hiding under a lobster tail you may have come upon one of these animals. If you have, take a picture because sightings of them in the wild are rare and they’re not known to survive long in captivity.

Number 6. Aye Aye. Humans, meet one of your relatives. They’re primates and nocturnal ones at that. Sadly, their numbers have dwindled due in part to a local superstition in their native Madagascar. It’s believed that if an aye aye points its middle finger in a person’s direction they must kill it.

Number 5. Tufted deer. No, it’s not a new breed of vampire. The canine teeth grow to remarkable lengths for fighting purposes. During mating season it’s their primary combat advantage, as their antlers don’t grow.

Number 4. Naked mole rat. Small, shriveled, and naked, these animals are neither a mole nor a rat. The rodents are similar to chinchillas, but clearly without the lush, soft fur. They don’t really need it anyway, as they live in the sweltering temps of East Africa’s deserts.

Number 3. Pygmy Jerboa. If this little guy were ever on the lam, it could probably camouflage itself nicely in a group of baby chicks. Those spindly little legs give the tiny mammal a whole lot of jumping power, though, allowing it to clear distances of up to 9 feet.

Number 2. Proboscis monkey. Believe it or not, males use those great big noses to attract mates. The interior area amplifies their calls, enticing the ladies and instilling fear into other potential suitors.

Number 1. Star-nosed mole. 22 tentacles - that’s how many make up this odd-looking land dweller’s nose. They may detract from the animal’s looks, but they do give it one of the most advanced senses of touch among mammals.

Which do you think is the strangest looking animal?