Billions of years ago, our earliest ancestors established themselves on planet earth. The earth that we see today is filled with fossilized organisms that prove, without a doubt, that life has continued to evolve and change with each planetary formation.

Now, imagine an animal that lives in freezing waters or at pressures that would crush a human being in an instant. These are the animals that fascinate us the most. Although the appearance of exotic birds and the smooth stride of the panther is to be admired, the creatures that have remained among us through destruction of our planet day after day are the ones that are the most intriguing.

Himalayan Monal

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The Himalyan Monal nests close to 4 kilometer’s above the sea level where thye form deep holes that capture insects. Like the peacock, the male is the most colorful during the months of April and May. This is the time their iridescent plumage is viewed in all it’s glory. They are natives of Nepal, as well as the state bird of Uttarakhand.

They can be found in Afghanistan through the Himalayas including Kashmir region of Northern Pakistan, India (states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh), Nepal, southern Tibet and Bhutan.

Marvellous Spatuletail

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Typically Spatuletail are found in the forests of Peru where nectar is plentiful. They are named for their iridescent feathers and classified as the only bird in the world with 4 tail feathers. The males have a set of discs that seem to overlap and measure close to 3 times the length of their body. Their display feathers are shed at the end of the breeding season, however this process is long and grueling for the males that have to lug them around until that time.

Blue Bird of Paradise

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The Blue Bird of Paradise is said to be the most beautiful bird in the world. The male will hang upside down from the branches in a colorful display for the females. His chest has a large red oval that expands and retracts in a hypnotic fashion and when they close their eyes, their eyelids create an unearthly appearance. The male uses a type of buzzing to make his body dance, therefore the female gets excited and allows copulation.

Namdapha Flying Squirrel

Screeshot by Author

In 1981, the discovery of a plush red creature was located near Namdapha in a  forest in the Tirap district of the Indias Arunchal Pradesh state. Only one was ever captured, however it is said that only a few still survive in the habitat with the increased deforestation in India. It’s amazing they lasted this long. Millions of years of evolution down the drain with every tree we destroy.

Starry Batfish

Image by Izuzuki.

In 1902, a specimen was found 400 meters near the Hawaiian Islands. The fish was able to walk along the ocean floor using it’s fins for feet. They are able to propel themselves with their side gills and the protective armor that consists of interlocking bone plates is used for protection. The Batfish is usually found in the Pacific and Indian oceans at depths of 300 meters where they prefer to walk instead of swim.

Mysore Slender Loris

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In southern India, this lemur like primate moves along the branches in a deliberate and graceful manner. They always walk on the tops of the branches, never hanging from below, possibly in an attempt to remain in control of their hunt. Similar to most fruit loving primates, these creatures still enjoy a swift and lightning fast attack on a lizard or insect. As you can see from the video, their quite the little charmers.

Black Spotted Cuscus

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The spotted Cuscus is one of the most colorful marsupials with the males having a black or brown pattern on their backs and the female with a solid black saddle. These creatures can be seen in the high forest trees of New Guinea and are similar in size to the koala. They are usually seen during the day rummaging through the forest for fruits and leaves. Unfortunately, their beautiful fur is in high demand for clothing and hats, so suffice it to say the population is dwindling and will soon be non existent.

Gulpers

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Gulpers are almost completely all mouth which allows them to swallow their prey whole. On many occasions, their victims are as large they are. Their eyes are very weak so it’s possible that a change in water pressure, along with their hairlike filaments, allows these creatures to detect prey.

After the Gulpers mate, they ingest their teeth and jaws for calcium, thus becoming a sack of jelly. They can be found close to 10,000 feet in the aphotic zone.

Satyr Tragopan

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

The Tragopan is native to central China and sets up its dwelling in the mountains of the Himalayas.  Their erectile organs, including the lappet and horns, are in full display when the bird is excited. Above all, theTragopan is a ladies man as far as the females are concerned.

White Uakari

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The White Uakari is possibly one of the most fasciating of creatures with its bright red face and long white fur that acts as a garment. The Uakari is the only short tailed monkey found in South America, found in northern Brazil. It doesn’t leap branch to branch looking for food, possibly because it fears falling into the water, which they are not fond of in the least.

They love fruits and insects, but they adore Brazil nuts which they can open easily with their powerful jaws and teeth.

Long Tailed Tree Pongolian

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The Pongolin looks very similar to an anteater, but they have similar behaviors of a domesticated dog or cat. They don’t have sharp teeth so they tend to pick up small pebbles with their sticky tongue when they are consuming insects so they can grind up their food before swallowing.

When in danger, they roll up in a tight ball. Of course, their outer scales are razor sharp so most predators are unsuccessful in their hunt.

Tomato Frog

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The Tomato frog is typically found in Madagascar, one of the strangest islands on earth. They are large and plump like a tomato, hence the name. They are only seen at night during the rainy season and in ditches in Maroansetra.

Crested Rat

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The Crested Ratis found in North America and is closely related to the black rat. They have a white strip down their backs along with a bushy mane, making them look more like a skunk than a rat. Their defense against predators is a mal odor excreted from glands that tastes and smells horrendous.

Olm

Photograph by Arne Hodalič

An eminent cave dweller, the Olm has survived for over 130 million years. The first specimen ever found was in 1744 in a cavern in Slovenia by Baron Valvasor who thought he had found a dragon. It was later said that this creature was kept in a jar for 12 years in the refrigerator at 6 degrees celcius. When it was removed, its digestive system had disappeared, yet it still remained alive.

Their lifespan is over 100 years and it’s possible that they have escaped extinction by becoming part of a life that’s neither day or night.

Stoplight Loosejaw

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As bizarre as these creatures are, they are quite common and found in oceans all around the world. They are ferocious hunters, using a rapid grab with their jaws that are made out of skin, tendon, and bones. This allows them to latch onto their prey strongly before the final kill. When they have captured their prey, it remains outside their body before being consumed with the help of a pair of teeth in its throat.

The Loosejaw is one of the only snipers in the water, using an organ located under their eyes as a scope for catching shrimp that usually swim in the darkness.

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