★ Unusual but loved animals ★

[косатка]

I have many strange animals in mind and I couldn't pick just one, so I tried limiting myself to some of the most worthy.

• Springhaas (Pedetes) - Also called springhares, this genus consists of two African species of rodent that look like small kangaroos.
• Four-eyed fish (Anableps) - This genus is really cool, because these fish have eyes adapted for vision in air and in water. The eyes are positioned at the top of their head, and are split into two sections, and each eye has two corneas and two pupils. The top portion of the eye is adapted for vision in air, while the bottom half is suited for underwater vision.
• Horned screamer (Anhima cornuta) - These birds live in South America and are closely related to ducks and have a "horn" protruding from their head. Like other screamers, it also has spurs on its wings.
• Razorfish (Aeoliscus) - These are in the same order as seahorses and pipefish (Syngnathiformes). What makes them extra special is that they swim with their head pointed downward. They do this so they can hide among sea urchins.
• Uroplatus geckos - This entire genus is endemic to Madagascar, and contains 18 species. The most popular one is the Satanic leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus). This genus is a serious master of camouflage!
• Cornetfish (Fistularia) & Trumpetfish (Aulostomus) - Both genera are in the order Syngnathiformes (along with razorfish, pipefish, seahorses, and seadragons). These are some bizarre looking fish that look like giant pipefish.
• Pom-pom crab (Lybia edmondsoni) - This is legitimately the cutest crab in existence. It takes its "pom-poms" (a smol sea anemone, usually Triactis producta) and waves them around to get food and defend itself. They are very shy, but their "pom-poms" give them confidence. But if they lose their pom-poms they become more anxious and will become much more reclusive.
• White-barred boxfish (Anoplocapros lenticularis) - This is a funny looking fish from the deep waters of Australia. This species is in the same order as sunfish and triggerfish. Look at it. Look how absurd.
• Ghost pipefish (Solenostomus) - Another genus in the order Syngnathiformes. You thought cornetfish and razorfish were strange? You've seen nothing yet.
• Splitfin flashlightfish (Anomalops katoptron) - My favorite fish. My dream fish. This fish makes me cry. Go watch them.
• Cyclocosmia - weird spider bum.