Top Ten Weirdest Looking Animals

These creatures, although foreign looking to our eyes, obviously have a niche in nature's grand design.

I found so many water creatures that looked odd, I added a few land creatures in an attempt to give the list a little balance.

It's a community list, so if you'd like, add any you have seen or can find online.

1. Blobfish

   

   The blobfish is a deep-sea fish of the family Psychrolutidae. It inhabits the deep waters off the coasts of mainland Australia and Tasmania, as well as the waters of New Zealand. The blobfish has gained notoriety for its gelatinous appearance when brought to the surface due to decompression.

   They only look like a blob when they're not in deep water. This is because they need a large surface area to withstand the underwater pressure, which squeezes their bodies inward. I heard that they look just like normal fish while in their natural, highly-pressured habitats.

   It's like a wet sack of that so-called "slime" my sister has, with poked-in eyeballs.

   Why does this thing look like Captain Underpants but unhappy? So weird.

2. Sea Pig

   

   Scotoplanes, commonly known as the sea pig, is a genus of deep-sea holothurian echinoderms of the family Elpidiidae, order Elasipodida. These creatures are typically found on the deep ocean floor, especially in the abyssal plains. Sea pigs are detritivores, feeding on decaying organic matter in the sediment... read more

   I read some information about this one, and I was initially surprised to find that it can fit in the palm of your hand. Later, I discovered it is closely related to a sea cucumber and has no brain, like a jellyfish. It also looks quite different from this depiction when moving along the deep sea floor. Interesting.

   I had no idea this existed. Now I wish I hadn't found out because whatever that thing is, it's going to be in my nightmares.

   Seriously, just look at one, and you know it's super weird-looking.

3. Pacu Fish

   

   Pacu is a common name used to refer to several species of omnivorous South American freshwater serrasalmid fish that are related to the piranha. Pacu and piranha do not have similar teeth, with the main difference being jaw alignment. Piranha have pointed, razor-sharp teeth in a pronounced underbite... read more

   When this fish opens its mouth, it has teeth similar in quality and shape to those of humans, and they are arranged in the same way!

   Oh! So that's where my grandpa's removable denture went.

   Whoa, that is one weird-looking fish.

4. Indian Purple Frog

   

   A unique species of frog endemic to the Western Ghats in India, the Indian Purple Frog is notable for its bulbous body and short limbs. Primarily subterranean, it comes above ground only for a short period during the monsoon season to breed. Its appearance and behaviors have led to it being classified... read more

   Umm... This looks kinda like a blobfish that fell victim to toxic radiation to me... Maybe it's an alien? I really don't know why this is called a frog...

   It's so ugly. And it's weird, but mostly just very ugly. And it looks so slimy.

   This looks like someone mixed a bloated, slimy toad with a mole.

5. Venezuelan Poodle Moth

   

   The Venezuelan poodle moth is a possible new species of moth discovered in 2009 by Dr. Arthur Anker in the Gran Sabana region of Venezuela. The moth gained attention for its unusual, fuzzy appearance, which resembles that of a poodle. Its taxonomic classification remains uncertain due to the lack of... read more

   It really does kind of look like a dog, with huge, hairy wings and body.

   It kinda looks like a cute Pokémon, but the wings and everything are so damn thick.

6. Glaucus Atlanticus

   

   Glaucus atlanticus is a species of small, blue sea slug, a pelagic aeolid nudibranch, a shell-less gastropod mollusk in the family Glaucidae. It floats on the surface of the ocean by storing air in its stomach. This strikingly colored creature feeds on venomous siphonophores such as the Portuguese man... read more

   Also known as 'The Blue Dragon,' it stays afloat by using a gas-filled sac on its stomach. It looks really weird and cool at the same time.

   This beautiful animal, which looks like a mythical dragon, is actually a type of sea slug, believe it or not.

   So beautiful! It looks like a creature that came out of a fantasy book.

7. Thorny Dragon

   

   The thorny dragon, or thorny devil, is an Australian lizard also known as the mountain devil, thorny lizard, or moloch. It is covered in spines and camouflages well in desert environments. This reptile primarily feeds on ants and has the ability to absorb water through its skin.

   This lizard has a 'false head' which it shows to predators by dipping its head down.

8. Panda Ant

   

   The Mutillidae are a family of more than 3,000 species of wasps whose wingless females resemble large, hairy ants. These insects are commonly known as velvet ants, and despite their name, they are not true ants. One of the more visually striking members of this family is the so-called panda ant, notable... read more

   I just thumbed up because it's weird and super cool!

   This little ant looks like a spiky panda.

9. Goblin Shark

   

   Goblin sharks are deep-sea sharks notable for their strange appearance and scientific value. They are most recognized for their protruding flattened snout, giving them a distinctive "goblin-like" look. These sharks live at great ocean depths around the world and are sometimes called "living fossils"... read more

   This is the messed-up result of merging a swordfish, anglerfish, and a tiger shark.

   Deep-sea fish are the stuff of nightmares.

   Goblin sharks look like something I would discover in No Man's Sky.

10. Naked Mole Rat

    

    The naked mole-rat, also known as the sand puppy, is a burrowing rodent native to parts of East Africa. It is closely related to the blesmols and is the only species in the genus Heterocephalus of the family Heterocephalidae. This species is known for its resistance to cancer, longevity, and unique social... read more

    They hardly ever come to the surface, instead staying in the warm soil. This might explain why they have no fur.

    I dislike naked mole rats because they're so ugly and gross.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Cassowary

    

    The cassowaries are ratites in the genus Casuarius and are native to the tropical forests of New Guinea, nearby islands, and northeastern Australia. They are large, flightless birds known for their striking blue and black plumage and helmet-like casques. Cassowaries are considered among the most dangerous... read more

12. ?

    Great Potoo

    
The Contenders

13. Mantis Shrimp

    

    The mantis shrimp, or stomatopod, is a type of marine crustacean of the order Stomatopoda. Most species can grow to around 10 centimeters in length, though a few species reach up to 38 centimeters. Mantis shrimp are known for their powerful raptorial appendages used to capture prey and their highly complex... read more

    Did you know that the mantis shrimp has 16 color cones? Humans only have 3, and dogs have 2.

    This multicolored guy has long stalks that end in eyes.

    It has the strongest punch of any animal, even stronger than The Rock.

14. Dumbo Octopus

    

    The Dumbo Octopus (Grimpoteuthis) is a small deep-sea animal that dwells on the ocean floor at depths of 9,800 to 13,000 feet. They are the deepest-living octopuses known. It was named after the 1941 Disney film Dumbo due to its ear-like fins that resemble the elephant's large ears.

    I swear I thought this was a cartoon creature the moment I saw it.

15. Axolotl

    

    The axolotl, scientifically known as Ambystoma mexicanum, is a neotenic salamander closely related to the tiger salamander. Often referred to as the "Mexican walking fish," the axolotl is not actually a fish but an amphibian.... read more

    There is already a Pokémon version of it.

    Looks like a Pokémon or something.

16. Blue Parrotfish

    

    The blue parrotfish is a member of the parrotfish genus Scarus. It is found on coral reefs in shallow waters in the tropical and subtropical parts of the western Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Known for its vibrant blue color, it plays a key role in the ecosystem by grazing on algae and helping... read more

    It is a complete neon blue color.

17. Platypus

    

    The platypus, also known as the duck-billed platypus, is a semiaquatic, egg-laying mammal native to eastern Australia, including Tasmania. It is one of the few existing monotremes, which are mammals that reproduce by laying eggs rather than giving birth to live young. The male platypus has a venomous... read more

    I have a Perry the Platypus plush toy, and my mom thought it was a duck.

    It looks like a beaver with a duck bill attached to its face.

18. Human

    

    Humans (Homo sapiens) are the most abundant and widespread species of primate, characterized by habitual bipedalism and comparatively large, complex brains. These traits have enabled the development of advanced tools, culture, and language. Humans are highly social and live in complex structures, ranging... read more

    Humans are the only animals on Earth that destroy their environment.

19. Viperfish

    

    A viperfish refers to any species of deep-sea fish in the genus Chauliodus. These fish are characterized by long, needle-like teeth and hinged lower jaws. A typical viperfish grows to lengths of 30 to 60 centimeters and is known for its bioluminescence and predatory behavior in the deep ocean.

    It's a deep-sea creature, of course it's ugly.

    Looks like those eels from Mario.

20. Chameleon

    

    Chameleons or chamaeleons are a distinctive and highly specialized clade of Old World lizards, with 202 species described as of June 2015. These species come in a range of colors, and many have the ability to change colors for camouflage, communication, or temperature regulation. Chameleons are also... read more

21. Star Nosed Mole

    

    The star-nosed mole is a small mole found in wet lowland areas in the northern parts of North America. It is the only member of the tribe Condylurini and the genus Condylura. Its distinctive star-shaped nose is used to detect prey through touch.

22. Praying Mantis

    

    The praying mantis is an insect known for its distinctive posture of holding its front legs in a position that resembles a prayer. It belongs to the Mantidae family and features an elongated body, a triangular head, and large compound eyes. These features make it an easily recognizable insect in many... read more

23. Pufferfish

    

    Pufferfish belong to the family Tetraodontidae and are found primarily in marine and estuarine environments. They are well known for their ability to inflate their bodies as a defense mechanism when threatened. Some species contain tetrodotoxin, a potent neurotoxin that is dangerous to humans.

24. Andean Condor

    

    A South American bird species, the Andean Condor is one of the world's largest flying birds due to its wingspan, which can exceed 10 feet. It predominantly feeds on carrion and plays a significant cultural and symbolic role in various Andean societies. The species is currently listed as vulnerable due... read more

25. Pigbutt Worm

    

26. Beluga Whale

    

    The beluga whale, or white whale, is an Arctic and sub-Arctic cetacean. It is one of two members of the family Monodontidae, along with the narwhal, and is the only member of the genus Delphinapterus. Belugas are known for their distinctive white color and vocal communications, earning them the nickname... read more

27. Dugong

    

    This picture doesn't do it justice. Its head looks very much like a large dog.