When you hear the word "animal," what do you think of? Likely, something like a cat or a dog comes to mind. However, the world is full of a wide range of very diverse species of animals, some of which get little to no attention, which is unfortunate being so many are endangered or on the brink of extinction. Each ecosystem houses tens of thousands of species, and I wanted to enlighten you on just a few. I love animals and enjoy learning about them and sharing cool finds with others. In fact, I'm watching an animal documentary as I type! Here are just a few of the lesser-known, but just as amazing, creatures of earth.

1. Axolotl

This cute little creature is also known as a "Mexican walking fish." It is a type of salamander commonly found in lakes in Mexico. It is a critically endangered species that is possibly extinct in the wild, but is found-- in all it's adorable glory-- in captivity. (Image from http://factzoo.com)

2. Blue Parrotfish

This fish is found in the Atlantic Ocean and spends up to 80% of its time hunting for and eating food. Are you surprised? Look at its size... what a way to live! (Image from http://boredpanda.com/unusual-animals)

3. Dugong

This animal is, as you can probably tell, closely related to the well-known and beloved Manatee. It's found in the waters of the Indo-West Pacific and is the only completely marine herbivorous mammal. Kind of funny looking, but also kind of cute! (Image from http://npmjs.com)

4. Okapi

Despite its looks, the Okapi is actually most closely related to the giraffe. The okapi species is found only in the Democratic Republic of Congo, classifying it as endangered. (Image via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okapi)

5.Shoebill

This animal, found in tropical East Africa, gets its name from its large, odd-looking bill. In Uganda, the Shoebill is considered to have economic value. Though this bird has been known for many years, it was not officially classified until the 10th century. (Image from http://boredpanda.com/unusual-animals)

6. Spectacular Bird of Paradise

The spectacular bird of paradise is nothing short of its name. It is most famous for its mating dance, shown above, in which it spreads its plume and hops around like a madman. (Somehow, this miraculously attracts females.) This bird is found in the rainforests of New Guinea. (Gif from http://giphy.com)

7. Quokka

The Quokka, also known as the "happiest animal in the world", is an Australian marsupial-- aka, related to the Kangaroo. They are about the size of a house cat, and are mainly nocturnal. How cute! (Image via http://animalfactguide.com)