Visiting the zoo in an urban area, like the Bronx Zoo if you're in NYC, gives you the chance to see animals you wouldn't see on a regular basis. Whether you're checking out a grizzly bear from behind the safety of a glass panel (and not running from it as you abandon your belongings back at your campsite) or admiring a giraffe you'd have to travel thousands of miles to see in its normal habitat, taking a trip to the zoo is a fun, educational experience for most.
But what about the animals that don't get as much attention, the ones you can't see at the zoo or aquarium? Some are really cute, and it's a shame that they're endangered. But others are kind of freaky-looking or actually dangerous, and I must say I feel #blessed to be far, far away from them.
Here are a few I've come across (on the internet or in conversation, and for the most part, hopefully never in any other way).
1. Vampire Squid
We all grew up hearing "don't judge a book by its cover," but I think it's safe to say that this sea creature -- often referred to as the "vampire squid from hell" -- can stay in the tropical deep sea.
2. Raccoon Dog
A native to Japan, this canine gets its name because of its obvious resemblance to a raccoon! But don't let its cute looks deceive you -- raccoon dogs have a reputation of being as tricky as their distant fox relatives.
3. Fried Egg Jellyfish
Though in my mind this jellyfish is about the same size as its namesake, this species can have tentacles ranging up to 6 meters (about 20 feet long)! They tend to have clusters of dozens of tentacles, and they can also reproduce asexually.
4. Lammergeier
This mountain vulture gets its nutrition by dropping bones from the air onto rocks and feasting off the bone marrow! It also eats all the typical fun foods the vultures we know love: decaying carcasses, small animals and the such. At least it's pretty?
5. Demon Stinger
Just the name of this guy tells me I'm probably better off on land and far away from it. Videos of it crawling around the ocean floor expose its leg-like fins, which make for a creepy effect.
6. Spiny Lumpsucker
This tiny fish has adhesive fins that allow it to stick to rocks (or fingers!). They're pretty cute, and I wouldn't mind having a couple of them hold on to my fingers for a while.
7. Tasselled Wobbegong
I know what you're thinking: what did I just read? Tasselled Wobbegongs are a species of carpet sharks (not sharks harmed for people's aesthetic pleasures!) and are pretty funky-looking. Other carpet sharks include whale sharks and bamboo sharks. This particular carpet fish loves hanging out in dark caves and sticking in its neighborhood.
8. Blobfish
A deep sea fish true to its name, the Blobfish is one adorably gross animal. You can find these little guys (they're only about a foot long!) in the waters near Australia and New Zealand.
9. Leafy Seadragon
A typical seahorse's distant cousin, this sea creature is definitely one I wouldn't mind brushing paths with. Its leafy limbs serve as camouflage against predators found in Australian waters.
10. Dumbo Octopus
This genus of umbrella octopus lives in the deep sea, like many of the other animals on this list. Yet unlike the generally scary or disgusting creatures we tend to find down there, this one's pretty adorable. It has ear-like fins that give it a cartoon-like quality. I'd love to see an animated version of one of these!
11. Irukandji Jellyfish
Though these tiny jellyfish are pretty cute and appear harmless, this species is the smallest and most venomous of all box jellyfish. Fun fact: one of the symptoms of their sting is a sense of "impending doom" that can last anywhere from a few hours to two weeks.
