Mexican mole lizards are weird reptiles that look like worms. They have elongated bodies that look segmented, with small forelegs and no hind legs. Although they have tiny legs, they are very well-developed. They also have small eyes and advanced intestines.
The mole lizards are native to Baja California. You'll recognize it by its pale pink color and blunt-tipped head. They don't have surface pigment to protect them from the sun's rays. However, the small mole escapes by building intricate underground systems on Earth and only comes to the surface at night.
Kakapo is a nocturnal, flightless bird. It is one of New Zealand's natural treasures. The nocturnal bird looks like an owl, but it is a parrot. Its feathers are yellow and black, with grey beaks and soles. As of June 2020, only 210 kakapo birds were left in the wild.
Scientists recently discovered the dementor wasp in southeast Asia. They are flying insects that turn cockroaches into zombies. They do this by injecting the belly of cockroaches with venom, which turns the roach into a passive zombie.
It turns them into zombies by blocking the receptors of the neurotransmitters of octopamine. Octopamine is involved in the initiation of spontaneous responses. Blocking it makes cockroaches incapable of controlling their movements.
A pangolin is a solitary and nocturnal animal covered by an armor of scales. It hides under its scaly armor when confronted by a predator. It rolls into a ball and uses its sharp scales and tail to attack whenever it is touched. Pangolin's scales are made of keratin.
It has a small head and a long tail. Despite its lack of external ears, the pangolin has excellent hearing. It also has no teeth and grinds food with its gizzard-like intestines. To aid its digestion, it consumes small stones and sand. These unique features make it one of the most trafficked mammals in the world.
Fun Fact: Did you know that the Leucistic Axolotl is often called the "Ghost Axolotl"? This is due to its pale pink or white skin and bright red or pink eyes.
Unlike their Albino siblings, Leucistic Axolotls remain their color, with ebony eyes that stand out more against their light skin. Leucism is a rare genetic disease that reduces the skin pigment cells, which results in a more pale appearance. The Leucistic Axolotl is often mistaken for an albino because of its pink gills and pale skin.
Considered one of the rarer axolotl morphs, prices typically range from $50 to $100 or more.
Fun Fact: Did you know that White Albino Axolotl's almost transparent skin lets you observe what happens inside their bodies? When examined under specialized lighting, you can see the rhythmic pulsations of its heart, the flowing circulation of blood vessels, and even the subtle movements of its digestive system!
The White Albino Axolotl presents a mesmerizing palette of pure1, snowy white that starkly contrasts its vibrant pink or red irises. Like other axolotls, White Albinos keep their youthful looks throughout their lives.
White Albino Axolotls are rarer due to their unique coloration and can cost you $60 to $120 or more.
Fun Fact: Did you know that the Pink Axolotl is one of the most popular Axolotl morphs?
Pink Axolotls are a unique breed with soft, blush hues and dark, enigmatic eyes. They stand out from their light-shaded cousins, the Golden Albinos, with their pale pink bodies, gills, and black eyes. Axolotls are nocturnal and love meat, hunting for tiny fish, worms, and crustaceans. You can feed them brine shrimp, bloodworms, and specialty axolotl pellets in their tank.
Interestingly, despite their preference for a solitary existence, Pink Axolotls are far from anti-social when it's time to mate. Pink axolotls can cost you around $25-$45, depending on their age, size, specific breeder, and other factors.
The Sea Otter inhabits the Pacific Ocean from Alaska to Mexico, having adapted to the cold with their dense fur coat, the thickest of any animal. In the past, northern and southern sea otters lived along the Oregon coast. However, the latter eventually moved to the Central Coast of California.
Unlike other marine mammals that rely on blubber to keep warm, sea otters use their fur to survive in their coastal habitats. They have about 600,000 to 1,000,000 hairs per square inch, giving them the thickest fur of all animals.
In comparison to river otters, sea otters float on their back. They are typically bigger, with males reaching up to 100 pounds and almost 5 feet.
Moreover, they give birth to baby otters in the water, unlike river otters that go ashore to build dens. Lastly, their tails are flat and muscular, serving as efficient rudders in their marine environment.
Sea urchins, when unchecked, can overgraze and destroy kelp forests. Because of their sea urchin-rich diet, they are considered keystone species for maintaining the balance of their ecosystems1. Hence, there is a need to conserve sea otter populations, which, unfortunately, are considered endangered species.
The Giant Otters or Giant River Otters are the largest otter species in the world, standing tall at 5.5 feet, including the tail, and weighing 70 pounds.
These social creatures live in the rivers and streams of South America. These diurnal carnivores mainly eat fish, but they also eat crabs, snakes, and small caimans.
Additionally, the Giant Otter is the most vocal among otter species. A study discovered 22 unique vocalizations among adults and 11 in baby otters3.
The North American River Otter can survive in various habitats ranging from the icy rivers of Alaska to the humid marshlands of Florida.
These mustelids have a streamlined body, weighing 25 pounds and standing up to 3.5 feet. They also have a broad, flattened head and thick fur, insulating them against the cold of their watery habitats.
These otters have a varied diet, with fish being their main staple. In addition to fish, they also eat amphibians, crustaceans, small mammals, and birds.
Interestingly, North American River Otters perform a poop dance and use designated "latrine sites" for their waste deposits.
