Every animal species has a natural habitat that suits the conditions it was specialized to live in. Some particular species are so specialized that their habitats are limited to only one place in the world, making them extremely rare and a precious hyper-endemic species. If you spot one of these species, you must definitely consider yourself lucky, especially since some of them boast the most bizarre characteristics you’ve ever seen or heard of. | |||||||
1. Thorny Devil Lizard – Australia
The thorny devil lizard, Moloch horridus, looks dangerous due to the fearsome spikes on its skin, however in reality it is generally harmless. This species has one odd specialization that enables it to drink water through its skin, not by absorption but rather through capillary action. Therefore, if this animal puts its foot in a water puddle, a network of channels in the scales act as tiny straws and carry the water to its mouth. Source: Steve Shattuck 2. Wilson’s bird-of-paradise – Indonesia Wilson’s bird of paradise, Cicinnurus respublica, is found on only two tiny islands, Waigeo and Batanta, in the remote collection of islands called Raja Ampat, off West Papua, an Indonesian province of New Guinea. Although it’s hard to find, it’s easy to recognize with its plumage being so vibrant: A turquoise crown, emerald green breast and tail feathers curled round like Captain Hook’s moustache. This animal has a particular way of preparing for a mating display – it creates an arena by obsessively clearing away loose leaves and twigs. Source: Serhanoksay, Wikimedia Commons 3. Brookesia micra – Madagascar Brookesia micra is the smallest chameleon in the world, measuring only up to 1.2 inches long when fully grown. They are only found on a tiny rock islet called Nosy, off the northern tip of Madagascar, which was only recently discovered. Here, they live in the cracks of the island’s rocky terrain. They have a limited range of movement, which is said to be explained by their extreme dwarfism.
4. Texas blind salamander – Texas As the name suggests, Texas blind salamander, Eurycea rathbuni, lacks vision because of an unusual absence of eyes. It also hasn’t got any skin pigment, and it’s got frond-like external gills coming out of its neck. Most of the time, you’ll find it roaming in the water-filled caves connected to the Edwards Aquifer in Hays County, Texas, where it lives in absolute darkness. Despite its limited vision, this species makes a very skilled predator of snails and shrimp, which it catches by sensing pressure waves in the water. Source: Brian Gratwicke, Flickr 5. Papuan jellyfish – Palau
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