Species
About 8.7 million (give or take 1.3 million) is the new, estimated total number of species on Earth with 6.5 million species on land and 2.2 million in oceans as announced by the Census of Marine Life. Amazing! I know, right? I'm actually flabbergasted myself.
Our world indeed is breathtaking itself! Most of us doesn't even grasp the variety of species that inhabit our world today and I'm not hiding it (I'm one of them). I'm always fascinated with discoveries of new species. What can I say? I'm a big fan of wonderful creatures. I even dream of being in the wild someday and discover them myself. "Keeviarus Franklineaus" I'm
even getting excited at the thought of naming my first specie. I'm not sure what specie it is going to be but who cares? Sounds cool, right? hahaha
To share with you, here’s my Top Ten list of animal species that will surely pique your interest. Some of which you've most likely never heard of, and probably won’t see prancing around your backyard anytime soon.
1. The Bush Viper
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Being a carnivore predator, the Bush Viper lives up in the trees of the tropical forests of Africa, and does most of its hunting at night. (Wow! Look at that!)
2. Okapi
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This mammal is native to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa. Despite the zebra-like stripes, it is actually more closely related to giraffes. (It looks more like a Hyena to me)
3. Aye Aye
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Aye-ayes are dark brown or black and are distinguished by a bushy tail that is larger than their body. They also feature big eyes, slender fingers, and large, sensitive ears. Aye-ayes have pointed claws on all their fingers and toes except for their opposable big toes, which enable them to dangle from branches. (Aye-Aye Captain!)
4. The Pacu Fish
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You probably don’t need much explanation as to why the residents of Papua New Guinea call this fish a “ball cutter.” The local fishermen were really worried about the safety of their testicles when they had to get in the water! (Oops, careful out there)
5. Penis Snake
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This peculiar eyeless animal is actually called Atretochoana eiselti. It is a large, presumably aquatic, caecilian amphibian with a broad, flat head and a fleshy dorsal fin on the body. (It gives me chills just by looking at this animal! How about you?)
6. Dumbo Octopus
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A deep sea animal that lives on the ocean floor at extreme depths of 9,800 to 13,000 feet. They are small animals, around 8 inches tall, and have a pair of fins located on their mantle—their namesake—and webbing between their arms. Grimpoteuthis swim often hover just above the seafloor looking for snails, worms, and other food. (Hey there Albus Dumbo-dore)
7. Glaucus Atlanticus
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Also known as the blue dragon, this creature is a is a species of blue sea slug. You could find it in warm waters of the oceans, as it floats on the surface because of a gas-filled sac in its stomach. (How cool is that?)
8. Blob Fish
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Perhaps it's unfair to judge a fish out of water, but the blobfish looks more like a ball of slime than a living creature. (Somebody make this poor, sad creature happy! Anyone?)
9. Thorny Dragon
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Coloured in camouflaging shades of desert browns, this lizard has a “false” head, which he presents to his predators by dipping the real one. (Not bad Thorny, not bad)
10. The Saiga Antelope
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This saiga, spread around the Eurasian steppe, is known for its an extremely unusual, over-sized, flexible nose structure, the proboscis.
There you go! Surprising, right?
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