The Weirdest And Most Wonderful Animal Facts

Animals are amazing creatures that come in all shapes, sizes and colours. Some of them are cute and cuddly, while others are strange and scary. But they all have fascinating facts that make them unique and wonderful. Here are some of the weirdest and most wonderful animal facts that will surprise you.

#1. The loudest animal is a tiny shrimp

Source: AZ Animals

You might think that the loudest animal in the world would be a large and powerful creature, like a lion or an elephant. But you would be wrong. The loudest animal in the world is actually a tiny shrimp called the pistol shrimp. This shrimp can snap its claw shut so rapidly that it creates a bubble that collapses with a sonic blast. This blast is louder than a Concorde’s sonic boom, and can reach 230 decibels. That’s louder than the sound of a gunshot. The shock wave can also kill its prey or stun its predators.

#2. Flamingos are not naturally pink

Source: BBC

Flamingos are famous for their beautiful pink feathers, but they are not born with them. Flamingos are actually born grey, and they get their pink colour from their diet. Flamingos eat brine shrimp and blue-green algae that contain a natural pink dye called canthaxanthin. This dye accumulates in their feathers, skin and beak, giving them their distinctive colour. Flamingos in zoos often lose their colouring, unless their diet is supplemented with canthaxanthin.

#3. Otters hold hands while sleeping

Source: Reddit

Otters are adorable animals that live in rivers, lakes and oceans. They are very social and playful, and they often form groups called rafts. Otters also have a very cute habit of holding hands while sleeping. This is to prevent them from drifting away from each other in the water. Sometimes, they also wrap themselves in seaweed to anchor themselves to the bottom.

#4. Hummingbirds can fly backwards

Source: World Atlas

Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world, and they have some amazing abilities. They can flap their wings up to 80 times per second, and they can hover in mid-air like helicopters. They can also fly backwards, which is something that no other bird can do. They often do this when retreating away from flowers after feeding on their nectar.

Related: 8 Facts About Animals They Didn’t Teach Us In Biology Class

#5. Dolphins use pufferfish to get high

Source: Reddit

Dolphins are very intelligent and curious animals that like to explore their environment and have fun. Sometimes, they even use pufferfish to get high. Pufferfish are fish that can inflate themselves and release toxins as a defence mechanism. These toxins can be deadly in high doses, but also have a narcotic effect in small doses. Dolphins have been observed deliberately handling pufferfish with their mouths and passing them around in their pods. The pufferfish release small amounts of toxins that make the dolphins feel euphoric and relaxed. After playing with the pufferfish, the dolphins often float near the surface of the water, seemingly mesmerised by their own reflections.

#6. The most venomous snake is rarely seen by humans

Source: Australian Geographic

The most venomous snake in the world is not a cobra or a rattlesnake, but a shy and elusive creature called the inland taipan. This snake lives in Australia, and it has enough venom in one bite to kill at least 100 fully grown men. Its venom can cause death within 30 minutes if left untreated. However, the inland taipan is very rarely seen by humans, as it lives in remote areas and avoids confrontation. Most of the people who have been bitten by this snake have been herpetologists (scientists who study reptiles), who have survived thanks to antivenom treatment.

#7. The deadliest animal is a mosquito

Source: The Independent

The deadliest animal in the world is not a shark, a bear or a tiger, but something much smaller and more common: a mosquito. Mosquitoes are insects that feed on blood, and they can transmit various diseases to humans and animals. Some of these diseases include malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, Zika virus and West Nile virus. According to the World Health Organization, mosquitoes kill about 725,000 people every year through these diseases. Mosquitoes outnumber every other animal in the world except ants and termites.

#8. The shortest living animal is a mayfly

Source: Animals | HowStuffWorks

Some animals live for a very long time, like tortoises or whales. But some animals have a very short lifespan, like the mayfly. The mayfly is an insect that lives for only one day. In fact, some species of mayfly live for only a few hours. They hatch from eggs in water, and then emerge as adults with wings. Their only purpose is to mate and lay eggs, and then they die. They don’t even have mouths or digestive systems, as they don’t need to eat.

#9. The Nile crocodile has the strongest bite

Source: Newsweek

Crocodiles are fearsome predators that have powerful jaws and sharp teeth. But among all the crocodiles, the Nile crocodile has the strongest bite of any animal in the world. Its jaws can apply 5,000 pounds of pressure per square inch, which is 10 times more powerful than that of a great white shark. A human’s jaw produces only 100 pounds of pressure per square inch in comparison. The Nile crocodile can crush bones and shells with its bite, and it can also drag its prey underwater and drown it.

#10. The platypus swims with its eyes closed

Source: Live Science

The platypus is a unique Australian mammal that looks like a cross between a duck and a beaver. It has a bill, webbed feet, fur and a tail. It also lays eggs and produces milk, making it one of the few mammals that are oviparous (egg-laying). The platypus is also an excellent swimmer, but it does so with its eyes closed. It relies on its bill to sense electric fields and movements in the water to find its prey2.

#11. Baby elephants suck on their trunks

Source: Reddit

Elephants are the largest land animals in the world, and they have many amazing features. One of them is their trunk, which is a long and flexible appendage that they use for breathing, smelling, drinking, grabbing and communicating. Elephants also use their trunks for comfort and affection, just like humans use their hands. Baby elephants suck on their trunks for comfort, just like human babies suck on their thumbs.

Related: 10 Amazing Facts About Elephants You Didn’t Know

These are just some of the weirdest and most wonderful animal facts that will blow your mind. There are many more amazing animals out there that have incredible adaptations, behaviours and features. Animals are truly fascinating and diverse, and they deserve our respect and protection. The next time you encounter an animal, whether it’s a cute otter or a scary crocodile, remember that there is more to them than meets the eye.

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