1. Water Bear
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Water bears, technically speaking tardigrades, are reshaping the modern definition of evolution. Traditional animals like grizzly bears, polar bears and lemurs receive their DNA makeup from their parents, meaning genes are shared linearly and vertically. Water Bears, however, receive one-sixth of their genes horizontally, meaning if you or I was standing in front of one it would collect our DNA. Researchers sent a rocket to space that released the water bears by a satellite and not only did the bears reproduce in space’s atmosphere, but they also collected DNA from alien life forms! They provide some incredibly interesting future research opportunities for scientists around the globe. Oh yeah, and they can withstand being frozen for years at a time.
2. Pink Dragon Millipede
It has been said that only real men wear pink. This is especially true in nature where a vibrant pink millipede can be spotted by predators from hundreds of feet away. For most species this would be a detriment to their existence as they would go extinct rather quickly. But the Pink Dragon Millipede struts its stuff like it just doesn’t care. The beast’s body naturally produces the toxic element hydrogen cyanide. If you are ever in Thailand and think you see one run the other way ASAP because if it shoots you within minutes you will be experiencing the following symptoms: rapid breathing, weakness, nausea, vomiting, restlessness, headache, rapid heart rate and dizziness. Yeah… no fun.
3. Immortal Jellyfish
Zero to a hundred real quick. The immortal jellyfish is exactly what it sounds like – a jellyfish that lives forever. If you imagine their life span on a time line from zero to 100, they live a full life to 100. At this point their tentacles revert back into their body then their body shrinks to the size they were as offspring. At this point they hit life’s restart button and essentially live another life. Humans cannot communicate with jellyfish so it’s not known if it feels like life continuation or a new life, but nonetheless, they repeat this cycle forever. The only way they can die is through disease or if they get eaten by a sawfish.
4. Aye-Aye
There’s nothing too special about this guy that can’t be seen from his picture. You might find him with your local neighborhood drug dealer, be sure to stay safe and stay away!
5. Sawfish
Australia is well known for their monstrous versions of normal animals.Their kangaroos are good at kickboxing and their spiders are the size of a man’s fist. That’s only a slight exaggeration. The sawfish can grow to 23 feet long with their saws reaching 3 feet long. The creature uses its saw to dig into the seafloor and bury itself, allowing them to stay invisible to their prey. It also breathes through its eyes by using glands located right behind its eye sockets that transfer oxygen to the gills.
6. Mexican Axolotl
This amphibian walks under water and special healing powers. If this guy loses a leg he quickly grows back another one. The only difference is the new leg consists of scar tissue that is weaker than that of the original limbs. But hey, at least it works, right? As the cutest animal on the list the Mexican Axolotl ranks number six on my list, but number one in my heart.
7. Phytoplankton
This microorganism comes by the millions and illuminates blue when pressured. This means with every footstep you take you leave a beautiful trail of blue light. And when waves come crashing down the beach becomes a romantic light show. Located in select places in California, Florida and around the world, this would be the perfect setting to take a date.
8. Narwhal
The unicorn of the sea. Most people in life I converse about narwhals with initially do not believe that narwhals exist. It roams the arctic waters around Greenland thousands of feet below sea level. Also its horn is not really a horn at all. It is an extended canine tooth. Oddly enough, narwhals go through a very similar pattern of puberty to humans. Males become fertile around age 11 and females around age eight. And their pregnancies last 14 months.
9. Lowland Streaked Tenrec
This cute bumblebee-porcupine hybrid is one of the most unique animals on the planet. It hunts insects, earthworms, plants and frogs. When it senses a predator, the quills on its back spike out and completely commits to throwing itself at the predator. This animal has got some serious guts to launch itself at the vicious mongoose trying to annihilate it. Interesting fact, it is also the only mammal on earth to communicate with non-vocal sounds. When it shakes rapidly, its quills create a squeal that allows it to communicate with its mommy and daddy.
10. Peacock Mantis Shrimp
