Freaky Fauna Friday

Not a plant, not a fungus, not an animal but something new and altogether unique, Earth's first terrestrial titan. Recommended by listener and our favorite Elephant keeper, Connor.

On of the biggest fish in the world and is spreading!

Being the coldest climate primate and having extremely dazzling colors, are not the only freaky facts you'll be learning about these mysterious monkeys.

Link for the Guide and may more: Explore the World with Field Guides

This is one of the smallest seals in the world on exclusively the only freshwater pinniped.

While not being a true Antelope, they are the 2nd fastest land animal and they are the only animal with true horns they shed.

This abominable creature is famous for his hairy carapace that resembles the Yeti!

What's the difference between a Reindeer and a Caribou? Nothing! HA HA. With their amazing long-distance running capabilities, no wonder Santa picked them!

"They are mere machines for the assimilation of other organisms." - George Brown Good Natural History of Useful Aquatic Life. 1884.

These freaky little flowers are often miss IDed as a fungus and funny enough, that's what they feed on!

This aquatic group of fish is famous for their not totally unique toothed rostrum which makes up one third of their total body length.

Listener Joe V submitted this request for your peaceful podcast hosts. This creature only eats one species of fig, makes leaf huts to sleep in and its one of only 2 all white bats.

These massive Mustelids are making a comeback in some of their North American ranges, and even recently being seen in Ohio again! Bonus fact: One of the fewest animals that specializes in hunting porcupines!

This amazing fish is known for its inhabitation of deep and cold waters, its impressive set of teeth, as well as a complex breeding and social structure.

These mucus scrapers can cause great irritation on Earth's biggest residence but also allow us to show and track their migration paths. The Sloth Moths of the sea.

These guys, as far as we know, are the largest, terrestrial year-round inhabitants of Antarctica but being smaller than a grain of rice. Also, their genetics are helping us study the ebbs and flows of the Antarctic ice sheet. Thank you, BK, for the suggestion! Have it your way!

These ancient organisms are known for their extremely long rostrum.

These almighty amphibians are known for their extremely flat bodies, long fingers and their ability to give birth out of the skin on their back.

The largest endemic rodent to Cuba! They can get up to 20 pounds! Now that's a big rat!

One of Mr. E's favorite birds in the world! While they look like a duck and walk like a duck, these amazing birds aren't actually ducks!

This fish recommended by listener Brett from our Patreon group, are small and noted for their dazzling colors, their lack of swim bladder and of course their cute little hands!

These fish are famous for being buttheads.... NO LITERALLY! Their anus is on their chin!

These incredibly unique and cute cetaceans are quickly vanishing before our very eyes. Within the past decade, going from several hundred to less than 25 left. These creatures serve as a reminder of what happens when we don't take care of a species.

Really good at hiding

The only thing in the ocean the Orca is scared of! While they may be smaller than their cetacean cousin, they outnumber them 100 to 1 and are known for even better coordination.