10. Africanized Bee

Known colloquially as ‘Killer Bees’, Africanized Bees are (unsurprisingly) feared by many people. A hybrid breed of European (Italian and Iberian) Bee breeds as well as larger African Honey Bees, the breed caused pandemonium across the US in the early nineties as the spread from the south northwards wreaking havoc on, well, pretty much anything that annoyed them really. Inflicting far more misery upon their fellow bees than on humans, these particularly confrontational insects have become known for the genocide of existing European breeds. Considered dangerous due to their fondness of swarming, a good few people die as a result of their activity each year.

9. Tsetse Fly

Also known as tik-tik flies, the Tsetse is a breed of insect capable of mass human death. Annually, it is estimated that they cause as many as 300,000 human deaths each year, most typically through their prize ability to successfully spread infectious and detrimental diseases. The most common such disease is Trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness. This parasitic condition can affect human beings as well as animals, and acts to aggressively attack first the lymph system, and later the central nervous system itself. Tsetse flies are indigenous primarily to the African continent, and as a result this is where they cause the most death to humans.

8. Cone Snail

Despite being miniscule in stature, relatively harmless in looks and belonging to the quite placid sounding Coninae  family of aquatic molluscs, the Cone Snail can do a hell of a lot of damage if rubbed the wrong way, literally. Possessing a reservoir of rather volatile toxins, most commonly used in the stunning and consuming of prey (usually small fish), the Cone Snail is capable of firing a harpoon-like barb at impressive velocity in pretty much any direction. Though attacks on humans are rare, they have been known to cause the untimely deaths of a scuba-diver or two in their native Pacific Ocean. Essentially contaminating human blood to the point of reflexive rejection (loads and loads of regurgitation and diarrhoea, basically) the toxins possessed by the Cone Snail cause almost instantaneous reaction. Add to the aforementioned nausea, headache, weakness, seizures respiratory failure and even coma, as well as the fact that you’re likely to be bobbing about helplessly in the ocean when this goes down, and you get a pretty good idea of just how these tiny molluscs are capable of causing death.

7. Stone Fish

Continuing on the theme of unsuspecting barbarous and toxic sea-creatures, the Stone Fish would likely get on very well with the Cone Snail. In fact, it’s even possible the two have met, as the Stone Fish too enjoys the warm coastal areas of the Indo-Pacific. Though lacking an ability to project its venomous barbs directly towards its intended target, the Stone Fish does possess a couple of separate, yet equally impressive skills- namely camouflage and habitat transition. With the ridiculous ability to blend in to its surroundings with ease, the creature’s already tricky-to-distinguish profile is enhanced even further. On top of this, the Stone Fish may leave the water, taking up a role as a miscellaneous rock on a beach for a period of up to 24-hours. If stood on, the fish uses the victims own wait to leak nasty venom directly into the bloodstream- often causing crippling pain and sometimes even fatality.

6. Black Mamba

Far from being the only snake with a gift for causing pain, suffering and eventually death, the Black Mamba just may be the most notorious. Named so as a result of the black interior of its mouth, this creature is native to Eastern Africa and can range in size from 8ft to 10ft long. One of four snakes categorised as ‘mambas’, the Black Mamba is the second largest venomous snake in the world, behind only the King Cobra. Delivering its incapacitating venom with both ferocity and speed, most who encounter the creature’s wrong side are dead within a matter of minutes.

5. Komodo Dragon

An extremely famous predator, the Komodo Dragon is a species of monitor lizard indigenous to the Southern Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Padar and Gili Motang. Unique among the lizards in its large size, as well as its taste for a good pack hunt, the Komodo dragon is a formidable predator indeed. Possessing a slightly venomous bite used to slow its prey, not to mention a habit of devouring an entire carcass over a relatively short period of time, Komodo Dragons have been causing havoc upon other creatures in their native habitat for millennia.

4. Carpet Viper

Native to the dry regions of Africa, the Middle East, India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, the Carpet Viper belongs to the Echis genus of venomous vipers. Accounting for a considerable percentage of yearly snake bite deaths, this creature is formidable world-over. Possessing a characteristic ‘sizzle’ threat display, created by rubbing sections of its body together, Carpet Vipers are known to attack humans regularly. It’s venom consists primarily of haemotoxin, and as a result the effects enacted on victims of its bite usually entail the destruction of red blood cells, clotting, organ failure and tissue damage. Despite being commonly smaller than most other deadly snakes, the Carpet Viper is nonetheless fearsome and will usually move towards its aggressor when threatened, a characteristic rare amongst serpentines.

3. Wandering Spider

To put the deadly nature of this god-awful looking arachnid into some kind of perspective, the Wandering Spider has a reserve of venom twice as potent as that of a Black Widow. Whilst far less known than the Widow; the Wandering Spider is the undisputed champion of eight legged death regardless. Indigenous to South America, the spider takes its name from its fondness of surprising (and simultaneously scaring to death) human beings by turning up in completely unexpected places. It’s venom is a precise mix of neurotoxin and serotonin, and whilst the former causes your bodily functions to shut down at a dramatic pace, the other overloads your brain and causes ridiculous amounts of pain all over your body. On top of being the deadliest spider on Earth, at least in terms of poisonous capability, the Wandering Spider is also regarded as the most henceforth and aggressive. Oh, great.

2. Mosquito

The Mosquito is a breed of small fly, or Culicidae. Whilst some species of Mosquito are pretty much harmless, there are those capable of causing a lot of trouble to human beings. Due to their parasitic nature, particularly in relation to their habitual consumption of blood, Mosquitos have made quite a name for themselves in the spreading of troublesome illnesses and conditions, in particular malaris. Feasting on the blood of all manner of creature, in particular mammal livestock and human beings, they have become increasingly susceptible to the claim that they are indeed the most dangerous living creatures on the planet. This is most likely due to their covert nature and mass numbers.

1. Blue Ringed Octopus

A return to the warm inviting waters of the Indo-Pacific see’s us examine today’s top-spot creature, the Blue Ringed Octopus. Though small in size and seemingly attractive (what with its bright blue rings…), this creature packs enough punch to wipe out between 20 and 30 people IN ONE GO. With a sharp beak capable of piercing a wetsuit, the venom possessed by the Blue Ringed Octopus acts to completely paralyse its victim, and can be administered rather easily. With anywhere between 50 and 60 vivid blue rings covering its dorsal and lateral surfaces, this really is a fascinating creature.

10. Koko (Gorilla)

One of the most famous surviving primates , Koko was born in 1971 and was found malnourished in San Francisco Zoo by Francine Patterson, a linguist. Dr Patterson persuaded the zoo to let her use Koko for experiments into primate language acquisition, and now claims that Koko can use over 1000 signs and understand 2000 human words. A British journalist was granted access to Koko in 2011 and reported that she understood the sign for “baby” and pulled a doll out of a pile of toys when showed a picture of a baby. Dr Patterson also says that Koko can create new words spontaneously – like combining the signs for “finger” and “bracelet” to mean “ring”. She has mastered communicating with her trainer, but the lack of grammar makes it uncertain whether Koko can produce actual language.

9. Chantek (Orangutan)

Chantek is a male orangutan, who has been trained by anthropologist Lyn Miles to use several hundred signs. Currently living near Zoo Atlanta he can understand spoken English and American Sign Language (ASL). Like Koko, he’s been reported to use his own compound words – combining “eye” and “drink” signs to mean contact lens solution. He apparently uses adjectives and names, even if all carers are referred to as “Lyn” (but never strangers). However, his shyness means he doesn’t perform on cue in front of strangers, so it’s hard to verify all the claims made about his prowess.

8. Nim Chimpsky (Chimpanzee)

Named after eminent linguist and psychologist Noam Chomsky, this chimp had a sad life, being raised as a human child within a family setting but being rejected and eventually being sent to a medical research facility. He moved into a Manhattan house as a newborn, under the care of Stephanie LaFarge. She reared him alongside her other children, even breastfeeding him. And during the day, he would learn ASL with the researchers at Columbia University, acquiring 125 signs. But he started getting aggressive and would bite the children at home. In 1977 he attacked a researcher and the decision was taken to finish the experiment.

Nim was sent to a primate facility at the University of Oklahoma, where he was befriended by a research assistant named Bob Ingersoll, who used signs to communicate with him. They also occasionally shared a spliff, a habit of Nim’s from New York, and Nim would sign “stone smoke time now” to ask for it. The chimp was moved again, to a medical research facility but Ingersoll later helped to rescue him and he lived in a chimp sanctuary until his death in 2000.

7. Matata (Bonobo)

Another primate studied by researchers, in this case Duane M. Rumbaugh and E. Sue Savage-Rumbaugh. Matata was trained to use a keyboard with lexigrams but never really grasped the concept. But she earns her place in animal-language history because of something else that happened in the sessions at the Language Research Center of Georgia State University. As a dominant female, Matata had stolen and adopted a son – Kanzi – from other bonobos and it was Kanzi that would provide the breakthrough. But more on him later…

6. Sherman and Austin (Chimpanzees)

Sherman and Austin were also graduates of the Language Research Center, studied by Rumbaugh and Savage-Rumbaugh. They were remarkable in that they could understand what was known as representational symbol learning – they could be shown a picture of a ball and go and fetch a ball from the other room. The interesting thing was that, unlike other apes, they could make a connection with a symbol and something they couldn’t see. They also planned together and co-operated, so acted more like humans than many other apes that had been observed. They did not understand spoken English, but communicated using the lexigram keyboard, with 97% accuracy. Austin died in 1998, but the other apes he lived with still remember him when seeing videos of him.

5. Panbanisha (Bonobo)

Panbanisha was the daughter of Matata and another Language Research Center ape. She was raised with a common chimpanzee, named Panzee, and the two of them were taught to recognize both spoken language and symbols. Panbanisha showed much more comprehension than Panzee, who was removed from the study after 5 years.

Panbanisha died in 2012 in a primate sanctuary and her eulogy from Duane Rumbaugh said “Her presence and competencies declared that she was someone close to our kind” and described her as “someone special”. She certainly had an unusual linguistic ability and her understanding of spoken language, rather than just symbols set her apart from the other primates studied at the center.

4. Sarah (Chimpanzee)

Born in 1962, Sarah was one of the first chimps to show some skill at using grammar. Under the supervision of David and Ann James Premack, she used a special board with plastic tokens to put together sentences including strings like “if (this happens) then (this will happen) else (this will happen)”. Other chimpanzees the Premacks worked with failed to learn even a single word, but Sarah was proficient at long sentences and using reasoning in her language. The Premacks decided to move on from chimps in 1987 and Sarah now lives in a chimpanzee sanctuary.

3. Phoenix and Akeakamai (Dolphins)

Not all language experiments have been on primates. Dolphins have long been reputed to be more intelligent than humans, so it’s perhaps inevitable that they have been a subject of experiments. Louis Herman was a pioneer of this work, at the Kewalo Basin Marine Mammal Laboratory and Phoenix and Akeakamai were two of his study subjects. The experiment was said to be relatively successful, but unlike the primate studies it only focused on language comprehension, not production.

The dolphins were given sentences to respond to that they had never heard before and seemed to comprehend not only the nouns but the sentence structure, for example the difference between “Frisbee hoop in” and “Hoop frisbee in”. Akeakamai in particular also showed some spontaneous responses, using her “yes” and “no” paddles.

Sadly, both dolphins died at the age of 27, both from cancer and within months of each other (a dolphin typically lives for at least 35 years). When their tankmate Hiapo also died early, there were calls for the center to close and it did in 2005, although sister organization The Dolphin Institute implies that the closure was planned as part of the “State of Hawaii’s waterfront redevelopment plan”.

2. Alex (Parrot)

Another example of a non-primate who learned to communicate, Alex was an African Gray Parrot, who was trained by Irene Pepperberg. Parrots are known for their ability to mimic humans, but Pepperberg believed that they could also talk in a more structured way. She said that he couldn’t use language as such but a “two-way communications code” including a vocabulary of 150 words, the numbers 1-7 and the names of 50 objects. He also had some mathematical ability and could add two numbers together.

Alex, whose name derived from the phrase Avian Language EXperiment, was found dead in September 2007 of no apparent cause. His last words to Pepperberg the night before had been “You be good. I love you. See you tomorrow.”

1. Kanzi (Bonobo)

And so back to Matata’s adopted son, Kanzi. And his story is remarkable. A example to working moms everywhere. Matata undertook her lessons with Kanzi clambering over her back. As the researchers struggled to teach Matata 10 lexigrams, Kanzi played nearby. One day, in Matata’s absence Kanzi just started spontaneously using the lexigrams that his mother was failing to learn. He quickly mastered the 10 words, then around 200 more and can point to the correct lexigram in response to a spoken word.

What is amazing about Kanzi is that he was never taught to use the lexigrams and in fact, had no language training at all. He simply acquired the skills in the same way that a human child acquires language. When tested against a 2-year-old human, Kanzi performed well and he was later observed lighting matches and toasting marshmallows after asking for both marshmallows and fire when out in the woods. He also acquired ASL after watching videos of Koko the gorilla.

Though the findings of Rumbaugh and Savage-Rumbaugh were met with some cynicism from the linguistic community, it has given others hope that apes – like humans – can acquire and use real language when given the opportunity.

10. Common Sawfish (Pristis pristis)

Once common in its range, hence its name, the common sawfish is now a rare sight in the ocean’s waters. This species uses its unique saw-like protrusion in a variety of ways. With sensitive pores, it can locate movement on the ocean floor then use its bill for digging up crustaceans and other goodies. Its saw is also used for defense from larger predators like sharks that may be looking for a tussle. It breathes through its cute little “eyebrows” as shown in the picture (called spiracles) which bring oxygen to its gills. The species has been removed from 95% of its ranges due to exploitation through mass fishing. The actual population of this curious creature is unknown but based on recent surveys it is thought to be exterminated from the Mediterranean and European parts of its range. Its remaining population is believed to be seriously declining in northwest Africa.

9. Vaquita (Phocoena sinus)

Behold the ever smiling, quaint and quirky vaquita, the world’s smallest porpoise. The recent 2006 extinction of the Chinese river dolphin, or the baiji, leaves the vaquita as the most endangered creature of the cetacean order, a common by-catch in fishing nets. This porpoise is endemic (only found in) the northern reaches of the Gulf of California. These “little cows” (as the Spanish word vaquita translates) live in shallow lagoons with high turbidity and nutrients. There are likely less than 300 of these marine mammals left in the world. Unlike many of their cetacean cousins, the vaquita tends to favor being alone or in small groups instead of large social gatherings. They are among the introverts of the sea. Their babies take an estimated 10-11 months to cook before they are birthed, and adult vaquitas only live to about 21 years of age. The slow rate of reproduction might not bode well in the coming fight these cute creatures of the sea will face.

8. Chinese Crested Tern (Sterna bernsteini)

If you asked the giant panda in panda-speak who is the worst modernized region when it comes to conservation, it will tell you that China is, beyond a doubt, a terrible place for endangered species. Don’t let the panda programs fool you; China’s nature is suffering greatly in the face of its recent industrialization. The Chinese crested tern is one example of fauna that has been extirpated from the mainland through hunting and egg collection. By chance, two pairs of nesting birds were found in Taiwan’s Matsu islands. Ironically, it is thought that China’s political turmoil with Taiwan had helped save the last few of these crested terns. The inlet they were found in has been highly contested by both China and Taiwan, so not many people have frequented the area making it an ideal nesting area. It has since been protected and now holds an estimated 50 or so birds.

7. Estuarine Pipefish (River Pipefish)

The river pipefish is a tiny stick-looking fish that has found its habitat in the estuary systems on the Eastern Cape coast of South Africa where it prefers brackish, tidal waters and feeds exclusively on zooplankton. Interestingly enough the pipefish came back from certain extinction. In 1994, it was officially listed as extinct by the IUCN Red List. After a 1996 survey, a breeding population was discovered in a new estuary. This success didn’t last long as a flood flushed out their preferred eelgrass habitat and with that hope of its recovery. Although that population was never found again, a 2006 survey discovered 20 juvenile pipefish in its original habitat along the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Unfortunately, no mature individuals were identified. This fish has been listed as critically endangered since 1996. Its habitat quality continues to decline due to lack of freshwater pulses which bring nutrients in for the pipefish’s food source. Man-made dams and other structures have seriously crippled aquatic species that rely on freshwater pulses to survive.

6. Peacock Parachute Spider (Poecilotheria metallica)

Peacock Parachute Spider is a species of tarantula that reflects a beautiful metallic blue coloration. It is arboreal meaning tree dwelling and lives in the holes of tall trees. This crafty spider creates funnel webs in the holes and captures a number of flying insects before paralyzing them with their bite. The spider is only known to dwell in a fragmented forest patch located in India and it is threatened by further habitat loss from deforestation and firewood collection. Because of its dwindling territory, these spiders are sometimes known to live with other members of its species but it is unknown how many of these sapphire spiders are still living in the wild. This beautiful colored spider is also desired by many tarantula enthusiasts and is popular in the pet trade industry.

5. Attenborough’s Echidna (Zaglossus attenboroughi)

Of three other long-beak echidna species that are critically endangered, the Attenborough’s echidna is only found in the Cyclops Mountains of Papua (Indonesia). Echidnas have been deemed evolutionary distinct than any other mammals alive today– they are warm-blooded, land dwelling creatures that lay eggs! Little else is known about this shy, solitary creature. Worms are its primary food source which it finds by digging into the earth and searching for them with its long snout. This particular species was actually presumed extinct until a 2007 expedition. While it wasn’t actually observed by the researchers, evidence of its continued existence included digging and burrowing sites as well as information from the local people who often hunt and kill them for food.  Their habitat is also under threat through logging and agriculture operations. While its cousin species are being protected in other reserves, the Attenborough’s echidna is not currently part of any conservation program.

4. Angel Shark (Squatina squatina)

Looking more like a ray than a shark, the angelshark skirts its way around the bottoms of shallow waters. This cross between a pancake and a tadpole was once common off Northeast Atlantic shores. Its sand-colored camouflage has helped them adapt well to the natural environment, but no amount of evolutionary traits could help this fish from overzealous harvesting of commercial fishers. This guy has been on dinner plates since the days of Ancient Greece, often gracing markets under the name “monkfish”. Even when the angelshark is not the fishing target of the day they often find themselves a victim of bycatch, being unintentionally caught in nets meant for other species. It is now extirpated from many of its natural recesses and remains only in fragmented populations with unsure futures. Like many creatures of the sea, the angelshark has a slow cycle of reproduction and so finds it hard to rebound from past transgressions even as it gains protection from local governments.

3. Hainan Gibbon Nomascus hainanus

You’d think that the charismatic primates of the world would get some media attention. Sure, the orangutans have their own show on Animal Planet which leads to money being invested in their conservation efforts. Unfortunately for the Hainan gibbon, they have no such luck. Who wouldn’t love an adorable face like that? Sadly, the Hainan gibbon is the rarest primate species on the planet with only 20 individuals left in the world. Every day they face the threat of extinction due to illegal hunting and deforestation.

2. Red-Crested Tree Rat (Santamartamys rufodorsalis)

Granted, ever since the bubonic plague, humans haven’t found much fondness for anything associated with the word rat. Perhaps the fuzzy, charismatic nature of these Colombian natives can help change our minds. There have been only three of these critters even spotted, let alone studied extensively. The people who located it only did so by chance: It walked up to them and said hi. Since the area they are known to live has been largely deforested and cleared, the Red-Crested Tree Rat is marked as critically endangered. Massive areas of Colombia are still unexplored, so maybe this little guy (who disappeared once only to appear over a hundred years later) still has a chance at a miracle.

1. Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle (Rafetus swinhoei)

Also known as the Red River giant softshell turtle, this gentle giant is native to China and faces an immediate risk for extinction. It is also the largest freshwater turtle species in the world. Only four individuals are known to be living (with only 2 in the wild; one in China, one in Vietnam). A pair of turtles at the Suzhou Zoo, China is currently in a breeding program with the hopes to bring some aid to this species’ survival but unfortunately all efforts to date have been unsuccessful. As such a large animal, it has been exploited in the food trade business over generations and if captured alive, it is sold as pets. This species is particular to river/wetland habitats which are under constant threat of destruction and degradation worldwide. The only confirmed area where the Red River giant softshell turtle has been observed by researchers is seriously threatened by pollution.

10. The Land Snail, Quantula Striata

While there are plenty of glowing aquatic molluscs, there is only one snail on land known to produce light: the tropical species, Quantula striata. In fact, it is the only land gastropod (among thousands of snails and slugs) known to be bioluminescent. It is so elusive (as many snails are) that a picture in the dark could not be procured. The eggs have been observed as having globules that glow in the dark continuously. Juvenile and adult snails can produce short bursts of green light. While many land snails communicate through pheromones, it is suggested this tropical species may also use its bioluminescence as a form of communication.

9. Antarctic Krill

Antarctic krill are among the most important animals in the Antarctic food chain, ranking right under the phytoplankton on which they feed. When krill congregate in an area (called a swarm) during the warmer months, animals from all parts of this bitter cold region get ready for a feast. This is because krill affects life from every angle in Antarctica. Krill densities can reach as high as 30,000 individuals per m³! That’s a lot of krill and food for predators! With krill comes hungry fish that are gobbled by species such as seals, penguins, and birds. Krill have numerous organs which can glow a yellow-green light for up to 3 seconds at a time. It is not known exactly why krill glow, but it is thought by some scientists that krill illuminate to avoid predators from the deep by blending into the brightness of the sky and ice above the surface. As important as krill are in the food chain, it would make sense they developed such a tactic to blend in and try to avoid the inevitable.

8. Millipedes in the Genus Motyxia

The only millipedes that glow in the dark are all the species in the genus Motyxia (in which there are eight total). They are known as Sierra luminous millipedes and have been recently discovered to emit a greenish-blue light, especially when disturbed. Some species have only a faint glow while others glow incredibly bright. There are very few photos of these millipedes getting their glow on, but the one pictured above (Motyxia sequoiae) was demonstrated through recent partnered research at Tulane University and the University of Arizona. These millipedes are only found in California forests. Another cool little tidbit is that they can’t even enjoy their own light shows: because they’re blind! While these millipedes rely on other senses to hunt for rotting debris, their predators are usually mammalian hunters such as rats. Like other poisonous creatures, the cyanide-containing millipedes had to find a way to display their toxic status to predators through visual cues. Since Motyxia millipedes are nocturnal, having bright colors like some venomous snakes isn’t very helpful in the dark, so these little creatures have evolved bioluminescence to send a clear message.

7. Crystal Jelly (Aequorea Victoria)

Crystal jellies are nearly transparent, floating with the ocean currents. While they look delicate, these graceful creatures are carnivorous. They consume other jellyfish as well as zoo plankton and small crustaceans. They are able to emit a green-blue glow with over 100 tiny, light-producing organs surrounding their outer umbrella. Crystal jellies are collected for their luminescent photo-proteins which are used as bio-markers in research studying genes and detecting calcium.

6. Dinoflagellates – Blue Ocean Glows

Dinoflagellates consist over 2,000 protists species including the toxic red tide. While they can be found in both fresh and salt water, the majority of dinoflagellates live in marine environments making up a large portion of phytoplankton. Certain species can produce a brilliant bioluminescence. When these microorganisms are disturbed, either naturally or by man-made waves (boats, swimmers, fishermen wading, etc.), the water’s surface lights up in a beautiful blue ocean glow. Noctiluca scintillans, known as “sea sparkle”, is a free-floating marine species of dinoflagellate, most likely the species displayed in this photo. The glow acts as a defense mechanism that may warn off predators or attract hunters even higher up on the trophic scale. The end result of this effect is that these little critters ingeniously help make prey out of the predators that would otherwise be stalking them.
 

5. Ctenophores or “Comb Jellies”

The Ctenophores or “comb jellies” are a phylum categorized by the use of tiny hairs (cilia) for aquatic locomotion. Unlike jellyfish, comb jellies do not sting. They also do not change forms as they mature: their larvae are just miniature versions of their adult forms. Most comb jellies are “comb shaped” hence their namesake and many produce bioluminescence as a defense mechanism. The comb jelly is cannibalistic by nature. When a comb jelly tries to consume another one, pieces break off of the victim and glow within the attacker’s translucent gut. This creates a lure which produces an attractive shimmer in the dark, ocean. Evolved predators of comb jellies sport darker bellies to counteract there sparkling prey’s defense.

4. Anglerfish

The deep ocean contains some pretty amazing creatures. Hundreds of fish glow, imitating the reflection of the sun or moon, in order to hide from predators. Some, however, take the offensive and lure in the catch of the day using their lights. From the cute blinking flash light fish to the various glowing sharks, how do you choose a top fish? Look no further than the deep sea anglerfish. These creepy-looking fish are so distinct that they earned a cameo on Disney’s Finding Nemo. I wouldn’t want to mess with this ugly mug either. The sneaky anglerfish cuts all the corners. They don’t have to go searching for a meal; it comes to them and in the trickiest of ways. In the dark ocean depths, the dubious character lies in wait with a tiny lantern piece hanging from a filament attached to its head, just inches from its disgusting teeth-filled jaw. An innocent little fish swims by to investigate and it’s game over. “Wham, bam, thank you Ma’am.”

3. Glowworms

Enough with the ocean depths! There are plenty of weird and remarkable creatures just outside our reach in the depths of caverns far and wide. A favorite to would-be explorers are the dazzling glowworms. Glowworms are not confined to any one species, but rather are the larvae (babies!) of many different types of insect species that produce bioluminescence. The most common of glowworms are, of course, firefly larvae. But the most interesting would have to go to the fungus gnat species in the Arachnocampa (meaning “spider worm”) genus which are only found in the caverns of New Zealand and Australia. These glowworms not only glow to attract prey (insects, molluscs, millipedes etc.) but drop sticky silken thread from cave ceilings that sticks to and traps their quarry. This thread creates a really cool visual effect (looking up at glow worms is similar to looking at the stars on a clear night) when observed in the dark as displayed in the photo above.

2. Firefly Squid (Watasenia Scintillans)

There are many species of squid that glow in the dark such as the adorable bobtail squid or gigantic Dana octopus squid. But Japan’s tiny “firefly squid” (Watasenia scintillans) takes the cake with its dazzling coastal display. Its average length is a mere three inches long but it swims to depths of hundreds of meters during the day and returns to the ocean surface at night. As you might have guessed by its name, the firefly squid is the “firefly of the ocean”. With photophores attached to each tentacle, this special little creature emits a beautiful light blue bioluminescence. These emissions of light allow the firefly squid to communicate with other members of its species, to warn off predators and even lure fish into its reach to eat (by flashing its lights). It can even light up its entire body to attract a mate! This squid is also the only species of cephalopod known to have color vision. What a neat little creature!

1. Fungi – Such as the Saprobe Panellus Stipticus

Certain fungi can display some remarkable bioluminescence. Bioluminescence has been described in over 70 species of fungi. This most awe inspiring photo of glowing fungi is demonstrated by the saprobe Panellus stipticus. The bioluminescence emitted by fungi that grows on decaying wood is called foxfire (aka “fairy fire”) and is most commonly a green light emission. Although observations of fungal bioluminescence date as far back as Aristotle, researchers today are still trying to figure out exactly why this amazing phenomenon occurs in fungi. There are plenty of theories why fungi emit light: to attract insects for spore dispersal, to attract the predators of invertebrates that might eat the fungus, to warn off fungi consumers or it could simply be a by-product of a metabolic process.

Some species are a lot less widespread – in fact, there are some creatures that only exist in one tiny place in the world. Whether it’s because they’ve been hunted to the brink of extinction or whether they’ve just found somewhere that really suits them, you won’t find these animals migrating anywhere anytime soon. So, here are the Top 10 creatures that are native to only one place.

10. Ring Tailed Lemur

Now, if you’ve seen a certain kids franchise based on an African island, you’ll have a fair idea of where these ring-tailed lemurs live. If not, it’s Madagascar. What you may not realize is that they don’t live anywhere other than the island. In fact, all lemurs are endemic to Madagascar, but this is by far the most recognizable due to his long, stripy tail. They prefer gallery forests as their habitat, but many of these have been cleared for grazing land which has contributed to their near-threatened status.

Unlike some other rare animals, the lemurs breed well in captivity, and there are 2,000 of them in zoos around the world. In the natural order of things, however, they would only ever romp around the shores of Madagascar.

9. Hawaiian Hoary Bat

Here’s another creature that has suffered at the hands of humans, due to the loss of their habitat. On the island of O’ahu, for example, the bats were wiped out when men arrived in the 19th century and cut down their forests. The bat still exists on the other Hawaiian islands and its status is “endangered”, although the US Fish and Wildlife Service is working on a plan to reverse this.

The bat itself is tiny, weighing only 14-18g, although its wingspan is up to 13.5in. It gets its name from the white tinges on its brown and grey coat, which give it a “hoary” look. Its small size has caused problems for conservationists, who considered fitting GPS trackers onto the bats but couldn’t as they were just too small. Instead, they use a system called “echolocation”, which tracks the bats’ mating calls. No-one knows exactly how many hoary bats are left, but these efforts should stop the bat becoming extinct.

8. Vancouver Island Marmot

As the name suggests, this marmot is only found on Vancouver Island, a part of Canada that’s on the Pacific Coast. On maps, it doesn’t look quite like an island, due to the narrowness of the straits between it and mainland Canada, but it is entirely surrounded by water. It’s not where Vancouver is either…but Vancouver is nearby.

Vancouver Island is also home to this adorable marmot, a member of the squirrel family and extremely endangered, with only 75 left in the world. Only 25 of these are in the wild. Again, the blame for this has to go to deforestation and loss of habitat. There is a recovery plan in place by the Marmot Recovery Foundation, but there is a long way to go before the marmot is considered anything but endangered.

7. Guam Rail

Again, the clue to the location of this creature is in the name. It comes from Guam. Except it no longer exists in the wild in Guam, and can only be found in zoos, both in Guam and America. The rail has been in decline in Guam since 1968, but there were still 2000 by 1981. Two years later there were less than 100, and it was extinct in the wild by 1987. Nowadays, there are 159 in zoos, but efforts to reintroduce the rail to the wild have been unsuccessful. However, the most recent attempt (in 2011) is still ongoing, and there has been some evidence of the rail breeding.

The main predator of the rail is the brown tree-snake, which arrived in Guam after stowing away on military ships. The snakes have caused complete chaos on Guam, causing the destruction of the rail and the US Government plans to eradicate the snakes with poisoned mice, in order to give the rail a chance to re-populate the island.

6. Long-Tailed Slug

This unattractive creature is the new kid on the block when it comes to rarities. Only discovered in 2010, the long-tailed slug is a resident of the mountains of Sabah, Malaysia. Its name comes from the tail that is 3 times the length of its head, and which it wraps around its body while sleeping. Kind of like a big, slimy sleeping bag. They are also nicknamed “ninja slugs”, thanks to the darts they shoot at potential mates. These calcium carbonate darts pierce the mate and inject a hormone into her body, making her more likely to reproduce. Don’t try that on human girls – they might not like it.
 

5. Palos Verdes Blue Butterfly

This butterfly certainly sticks close to its natural home, the Palos Verdes Penninsula, California. It’s so rare that until 1994, it was considered extinct. Then Dr Rudi Mattoni of UCLA discovered a population in San Pedor, and since then has been carefully breeding them in captivity. In 2010, a set of 80 butterflies were set free into the wild, although it was an artificially managed wild, featuring the two precise types of leaves that the butterflies use to lay their eggs on (locoweed and deerweed). It’s still too early to know whether the breeding program has been enitely successful and the Palos Verdes Blue is still considered the world’s rarest butterfly.

4. Marine Iguanas

A rare lizard now, from the spiritual home of zoology, the Galapagos Islands. These creeatures were so unattractive that Charles Darwin described them as “hideous-looking” and “most disgusting, clumsy lizards.” But even he would have been impressed by the iguana’s adaptations to its home environment – from the razor-sharp teeth for scraping algae off rocks to their flattened tails for moving through the water, They’re also notable for their salt-filled sneezes, which purge their bodies of excess salt and land on top of their heads.

There are still hundreds of thousands of marine iguanas in existence, but they are considered vulnerable to extinction due to the number of predators that see them as a handy – if salty- snack.

3. Sao Tome Shrew

At number 3 in the list we find an animal that is, sadly, quite close to extinction.The Sao Tome shrew only exists on the small island of Sao Tome, off the western coast of Africa.The island is actually a shield volcano that has risen out of the sea, and the deforestation of the island has led to the loss of the shrews’ habitat. They are now critically endangered and there is very little information about them to help save them. Even the environmental agencies list the shrew as “insufficiently known”. So they may not appear on these kind of lists for much longer…

2. Quokka

Another island-dweller next. Native only of the tiny Rottnest Island near Perth, Australia these creatures are relkated to the kangaroo, although early explorers thought they were rats. Hence the name of the island – it derives from “Rotten nest island”, which itself derives from “Rats’ nest island”. The quokkas are cute and friendly, and have even been dubbed “the happiest animal in the world”, but handling the animals is illegal and Rottnest Island authorities can issue a $300 on-the-spot fine if you’re caught touching one. How that works when they’re trying to steal your lunch, I’m not sure!

1. La Palma Pupfish

When it comes to rare breeds, you can’t get much rare than La Palma Pupfish. They are now completely extinct in the wild and only exist in a small tank in the London Zoo aquarium. They are unremarkable to look at but it’s a strange feeling to know that they exist nowhere else in the world other than that tank. ZSL London is currently breeding 4 different types of Mexican pupfish, all of which are either critically endangered or extinct in the wild. They are hardy fish, but over-exploitation of their habitats has destroyed the wild varieties. It is unlikely that they will ever be abundantly found in the wild ever again, but for now, London Zoo is playing a vital part in stopping these fish being wiped out altogether.

But it’s also one of the deadliest places on Earth. There are so many creatures in the rainforest that could kill you before you knew anything about it, and the rainforest sounds would do nothing to calm you as you were dying from a spider bite or snake venom. But at least you’d die somewhere incredible. So, here are the Top 10 beautiful, unusual, amazing but deadly creatures of the Amazon.

10. Electric Eel

Let’s start with one that’s not deadly to humans, though it would deliver a bit of a shock. A 600V shock to be precise. The electric eel is actually a knifefish rather than an eel, and it lives in the freshwaters of the Amazon and its subsidiaries, mainly near the muddy bottom, although they come up frequently for air. Its shock could cause a heart attack in a human, and it’s effective for hunting its prey of small mammals and invertebrates.

Electric eels are rarely found in zoos and collections, because the built-in shock system makes it very difficult for them to be caught. Whenever humans try to catch them, they have to wait until the eel tires itself out and discharges all its electricity. Then it’s safe to go into the water. Little wonder that they aren’t recommended as pets!

The other interesting thing about electric eels is their unique breeding system – the males create a pool of saliva and the females lay their eggs in the “nest”. Up to 3000 young eels will hatch in one group of eggs. That’s a lot of tiny shockers, so be careful before you set foot in the river!

9. Arapaima

This handsome fellow is one of the biggest freshwater fishes in the world, at over 100kg and 2m long. It’s not directly harmful to humans, although its cousin in Malaysia was credited with drowning two men in 2009. To other animals, however, it’s a ruthless killer. It eats fish and crustaceans, but also small land animals who happen to walk along the shore. The arapaima is another water-dwelling, air-breathing fish, which helps when snaring the land animals but also makes them vulnerable to being hunted by humans.

In fact, they are so vulnerable that the Brazilian government has banned commercial fishing of them, although some Amazon river basin fishing is still allowed. They are an important food source to indigenous tribes, and the meat is supposed to be delicious but they also have a medicinal purpose. Their bony tongues can be dried and mixed with guarana bark to make an appealing-sounding cure for intestinal worms. Guess they don’t have drugstores in the Amazon…

8. South American Rattlesnake

The Amazon is teeming with all kinds of snakes, but the rattlesnake is one of the deadliest to humans. Rattlesnakes are said to be responsible for 9% of all serious snakebites in Latin America and the look of the bites varies according to the species of snake, which has led to at least one death after Southern-Brazilian doctors failed to recognize a Northern-Brazilian snakebite (cited in Mark O’Shea’s book ” Venomous Snakes of the World“). They live in the savannah regions of the Amazon, as well as other parts of South America. One native that’s probably best avoided…

7. Brazilian Wandering Spider

This creature has the distinction of being the world’s most venomous spider (in the Guinness Book of Records) but the edge is taken off its scariness slightly but the fact that there’s an effective antivenom available to counteract the very, very toxic venom. So as long as it bites you near the antivenom, you’re fine! In fact, one study suggested that in a third of all bites, it doesn’t even deposit the venom and in another third, it only deposits a small amount. Practically a teddy bear, then!

Although it’d be hard to explain that to the British grocery clerk who found one in a box of bananas in Gravesend in 2008. The store was closed until animal officers arrived to take the spider away and humanely put it down. It was deemed “too dangerous” to go near photographers. Poor thing clearly wandered that bit too far!

6. Poison Dart Frog

One of the most distinctly “Amazon”-looking creatures, and one of the deadliest. Their bright colors are specifically designed to ward off predators and look unappetizing. The name “poison dart frog” comes from the use of their poison on blowdarts by humans, although only a small proportion of frogs are used for that purpose.

The frogs are tiny but deadly. One type – the golden poison dart frog – is only 2in long, but contains enough poison to kill 10 men. Attempts are being made to synthesize the poison for medicinal uses, but so far it’s not available commercially. One day, we might just see poison dart frog venom painkillers on the shelves though!
 

5. Jaguar

You’ve got to love an unfussy eater. And the jaguar is certainly unfussy – its diet consists of 87 different animals, from deer to mice and it’s safe to say it’s opportunistic in its hunting habits. It would definitely try and kill any human that wandered across its path.

It’s a rare type of feline in that, along with the tiger, it enjoys swimming. So don’t think that jumping on the nearest boat and rowing away will help – it’ll just follow. They like to live in the rainforest and are the biggest cats in the Western Hemisphere (in the world, only lions and tigers are bigger). So, they’re big, merciless and utterly carnivorous. Yet, they look so beautiful and it’s tragic that they are nearing threatened status because of the destruction of their habitats. Efforts should be made to save the rainforest jaguar from extinction, even if they would never choose to spare your life.

4. Black Caiman

Never smile at a crocodile…or the cousin of a crocodile. Especially when it’s a bigger and meaner cousin like the black caiman here. At one time, these creatures were nearly extinct in the Amazon but strict anti-hunting laws saved them. Its dark-colored skin helps to camouflage itself while waiting for potential prey and, like the jaguar, it’s not too fussy about what that prey is. Its main diet is fish – including piranhas – but it can also attack deer, capybaras and even anacondas. Occasionally, however, an anaconda will eat a young caiman and jaguars have also been known to snack on the juveniles. It really is survival of the fittest in the Amazon!

3. Anaconda

If you don’t like snakes, look away now because this is a really, really big snake. The anaconda never stops growing, and can reach 40 stone in mass and 21 feet in length. The good news is that it isn’t venomous – the bad news is that it has other ways of killing its prey. Its preferred method is to suffocate the prey by squeezing it until it can’t breathe and then swallowing it whole, without chewing. It takes a week to digest its food so doesn’t eat very often but when it’s hungry, no-one is safe…including humans!

2. Piranha

And here’s another cuddly creature. Piranhas actually suffer from a bad press, because they’re not as aggressive as they’re widely believed to be. Amazon natives often swim safely with piranhas and have done for a long time. They are scavengers and so mainly find their food by eating the remains of already-dead animals. They rarely attack humans or larger animals, but they will if they’re hungry and you stray into their territory. Bleeding into the water is another signal to a piranha that you’re keen for them to eat to, so avoid swimming in piranha-infested waters with an open wound.

Of course, if they do choose to attack, they are well equipped for it. At 2 foot long, with razor-sharp teeth and a strong jaw they may not be able to swallow you whole but they’ll have a good nibble on you.

1. Mosquito

With all these strong, sharp-toothed animals in the list it’s amazing that the deadliest creature award should go to something that’s tiny enough to squash in your hand. But the mosquito carries deadly diseases with it, such as malaria and so is the most dangerous animal in the rainforest. If it bites you, it can pass the disease directly into your bloodstream and, if you’re not vaccinated, it can kill you pretty quickly.

What’s worse is they’re becoming cleverer. A repellent called Deet, which is widely used by tourists to ward them off, is no longer as repellent as it used to be, thanks to the mosquito evolving a resistance to it. So, on your next trip to the Amazon, avoid the jaguars, don’t swim too close to the caiman and most importantly pack your mosquito net!

What is amazing, though, is that some of the cutest ones come from the ugliest parents.  There are some spectacularly ugly animals out there, but somehow their little ones can draw an “Awww” from even the most cynical person. Just have a look at our Top 10 Ugly Animals with Cute Babies

10. Pigs

First up is the humble pig. There aren’t many creatures who can say they’ve given their name to a phrase about being ugly, but pigs…well, you could say they’re “pig-ugly”. Poor guys. It’s not easy having that turned up nose or an unflattering belly that drags along the ground. No wonder they’re shunned and bullied down at the farmyard.
But on the upside, their piglets are really cute! Just look at the two fellas above, with their pretend straw and blue-screen background. Dontcha just want to take them home? Feed them truffles and tickle their tiny tummies? You will, but only until they turn into grunting, bone-munching monsters.

9. Proboscis Monkeys

Now here’s an adult that’s been beaten with the ugly stick. The Proboscis monkey is a native of the mangrove swamps of Borneo and its unique digestive system gives it a comedy pot belly. Male Proboscis monkeys also have a particularly unattractive nose that’s meant to draw female Proboscis monkeys to them. It’s so big it hangs over their mouth and has to be pushed out of the way while eating. It also swells and turns red when they’re angry.

The females (pictured above) aren’t much better but again, their babies are just so cute! I like to think that the one in the picture is thinking “Is this going to be me in a few years? How does that happen? Should I start saving for monkey plastic surgery now?” Yes, baby monkey I’m afraid it’s true. And I can give you the number of a monkey plastic surgeon that’s very reasonable…

8. Elephant Seals

This seal pup – I think you’ll agree – is just adorable. It’s the kind of baby animal that adorned many a teenage girl’s wall in the 1990s (I don’t quite remember why…but we all had them). And many adult  seals are pretty cute as well.
Not the elephant seal. These 4000-kilo pinnipeds are obviously attractive to their own kind, as each male has its own harem of 40-50 females. But it probably wouldn’t be quite so successful outside the Antarctic, due to its unusual looks. It has the kind of nose that rivals even the Proboscis monkey, hence being named after an elephant. Only elephants are majestic and impressive, whereas the elephant seal is just a bit strange. Sorry seal pup, your modelling days are numbered…

7. Sloths

“Sloth” isn’t an attractive word, is it? It’s not even the prettiest of the 7 deadly sins. And adult sloths certainly aren’t the prettiest animals. They have claws that belong on a witch in a fairytale book, and half-open eyes that give them that perma-dazed look.  They live in the jungles of Central and South America, subsisting on leaves, when they’re not eating out of human latrines. 

They’re also home to a number of smaller lifeforms, including algae and moths. Lovely! But there’s no resisting the charms of this baby sloth – with his big, cute eyes and tiny claws, it’s positively huggable.

6. Komondor Dogs

Aww…puppies! Who can resist a puppy? This one is certainly a cutie but the adult komondor dog is just a hairdresser’s nightmare. It has matted, off-white dreadlocks and looks a little like a pinata gone wrong. It’s like the dog ran off with the toilet roll and then rolled all around in it, until the toilet roll became it’s fur. A beautician’s nightmare…and yet still a pedigree dog. The Komondor Club of America describes the komondor as a “sight to behold.” to mentions that komondors have won several top awards. Strange world, huh?

5. Hyenas

And now for the dog’s distant cousin, the hyena. If some ugly animals make up for it with personality, the hyena certainly isn’t one of them. Sure, it likes to laugh but you can’t shake the feeling it’s laughing at you, not with you. It’s a scavenger who would eat you alive, given half the chance, but prefers you dead to start with. If the hyena was a person, it would be one of those old ladies that beats kids out of her yard with a stick. It would never get invited round for dinner, because of its unnerving laugh and tendency to eat the other guests.

But even hyenas make cute puppies. And this one is giving its mom a hug! Awww… Mom looks like she’s tolerating it for now…but that puppy might scamper away pretty quickly when Mom’s mood turns nasty!

4. Camels

While we’re on personality, the camel’s not one you’d choose to associate with either, is it? It spits, it makes appalling snorting noises and if it has to give you a ride it’ll do so grudgingly. It’s no looker, either with its unappealing humps and prominent teeth. Sure, it’s a useful animal – it’s even gone to war many times, in the Middle East and Africa. And nomad tribes often drink its camel-milk. But it’s not the friendliest or the prettiest animal.

On the other hand, this baby camel is so cute and fluffy it could almost be a lamb. No sign of those humps yet either. But just you wait….once it hits puberty, its face will turn as ugly as its temper.

3. Platypuses

You’ve got to feel sorry for the platypus. Native of Eastern Australia, it was discovered by explorers in 1798, and the first reports sent back to Europe were met with cynicism. Most eminent scientists of the day believed the platypus to be a hoax.The zoologist Robert Knox thought it may have been produced by some Asian taxidermist, while his contemporary George Shaw attacked the dried skin of the platypus sample to check for stitches.

Even now, it’s the butt of people’s jokes. It gets comments like “Oooh, you’re proof that God had a sense of humor” and “Who designed you? A committee?”. It’s got the face of a duck, the tail of a beaver and it lays eggs. It’s a bizarre animal. And not, it has to be said,  a looker. But these babies are pretty cute in their own way, aren’t they? Just look at those velvety neck-folds and tiny claws. They wouldn’t win any prizes in a beauty contest, but you’d at least give them a cuddle.

2. Warthogs

Another unattractive name, another unattractive animal. The words “wart” and “hog” are pretty ugly on their own, but put them together and you’ve got one of the prime examples of an ugly animal. Is it the tusks? The seemingly superfluous mane? The waddle? Who knows.

In fact, its 4 wart-like protrusions come in useful for storing fat reserves and as a defense when males fight. The male warthogs tend to stick to fighting each other though – when other predators like crocodiles and cheetahs threaten them, warthogs turn and run.

Despite its ugly parents, mini-warthog is still a bit of a cutie. No wonder that their mothers fight to defend them from owls and lions. Although not big fighters, a female warthog defending her piglets can do enough damage to a lion that it’ll bleed to death. These wartpigs are cute enough to fight for!

1. Aye Ayes

Maybe the ugliest creature of them all, the Aye Aye has been described as looking like a gremlin but really, that’s a bit harsh on gremlins. The Madagascarn primate has huge ears, long bony fingers and freaky yellow eyes.It was thought to be extinct in 1931, but was rediscovered in 1957, though it is still considered “Near Threatened”. Part of the reason they’re under threat is that local farmers consider Aye Ayes to be evil and will kill them to avoid them cursing their crops. You can see where the evil thing comes from – the witchy fingers and demon-possessed eyes don’t make it look particularly friendly.

Despite all that, we can still raise a little “Ahhhh” for this Aye Aye baby. Cause he can fit in the palm of your hand! Enjoy the attention now, little one….no-one will think you’re cute when you’re all growed up…in fact, they may think you’re the Devil incarnate. Sorry, little one!

10. Golden-Headed Langur

Native to the dense Asian jungle environment of Vietnam’s vast countryside, the Golden-Headed Langur was placed in protection in the year 2000 as a result of being brought to extinctions door-step. Though there are only around 70 of the creatures left on the planet, their protected status has done them some good- with numbers slowly but surely rising since this time. Nonetheless, the primates are still in danger of being wiped out completely in the wild as a result of hunting. My minds pretty much made up about these poor souls, from a population in the multiple thousands in the 1960’s to just 53 by 2000- it’s clear to see that a certain conflict in the region may have had something to do with this barbaric decline.

9. Vaquita

An already rare creature, the Vaquita is a species of Porpoise indigenous to the Gulf of Mexico/California. It is estimated that anywhere between 40 and 80 Vaquitas are accidentally killed each year as a result of gill net fishing in the region. As well as this human element, the cetaceans are put at risk further by their own climatic limitations- as they are only able to survive in the warmer temperatures akin to such intensive fishing- they cannot be introduced elsewhere. It is estimated there are only around two or three hundred left in the wild.

8. Silky Sifafka

Another primate very much at risk is the Silky Sifafka, a species of Lemur native to the north-eastern rainforests of Madagascar. Hunted by local people for their meat for generations, population numbers have been dangerously low for some time now. The animal’s inability to pro-create whilst in captivity only complicates matters further, as well as the fact that the remaining few hundred or so creatures and their up-until-recently protected home has now been abandoned by those striving to protect the species as a result of on-going political turmoil in the area.

7. Iberian Lynx

This impressive wild-cat used to be indigenous in its thousands throughout both Spain and Portugal, though can now only be found in certain areas of the former. The illegal introduction of Myxomatosis in France in the 1950’s soon spread to wipe out a vast majority of the rabbits throughout Spain too, leaving the Lynx without a primary food source. This tragedy combined with increased loss of habitat and a long history of hunting and trapping has brought the species estimated population down to 100-150.

6. Giant Panda

Perhaps the most promoted cause in relation to the preservation of endangered species, the plight of the Giant Panda is known to many around the world. Indigenous to Asian forest reasons in China, Burma and Vietnam- the Giant Panda has noted a dramatic yet steady decline for some time now. Destruction of habitat has brought their numbers down to well below 2000 in total, a large percentage of which are kept in captivity. Though seemingly unhappy about being encouraged to breed when in captivity- the bears appear to be hanging on.

5. Borneo Pygmy Elephant

Native to northern Borneo, the Pygmy Elephant stands around half a meter shorter than its Asian neighbour. It would seem this missing height would account too for a lower level of wisdom for which Elephants are famous. This lack of brainpower may be to blame for the species diminishment as a result of overcrowding, or it could be the constantly expanding amount of manmade palm plantations eating into their habitat that’s acting as a catalyst for the issue.

4. Mekong Giant Catfish

It’s a tough break being a highly sought after species of animal. Being intriguing or breath-taking enough to be constantly pursued by humans in the name of sport can surely only be taken as a compliment up until a certain point. These amazing creatures can be found in the rivers of Southeast Asia, though it is estimated that just a few hundred remain as a result of overfishing. Even though they’re protected in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia- their decline continues- leading many to estimate they’ll be extinct before we know it.

3. Javan Rhinoceros

Numbered recently at fewer than 60, extinction is not only a very real prospect for this majestic mammal- but one that is closing in very quickly. Native to Indonesia and Vietnam, a combination of poachers killing the creature for its prized horn and developers constantly depleting its habitat in the name of good business means that the Javan Rhinos days are likely numbered.

2. Cross River Gorilla

This former king of the forest is now numbered at ‘fewer than 300’ in the jungles of Nigeria and Cameroon which it once called home. In an all too familiar series of events, consistent hunting for bush meat has combined with human interest influenced habitat depletion to bring this mighty species to its knees. Though it was believed the Cross River Gorilla was completely extinct in the 1980’s, more were discovered soon after and here’s hoping they can hold on and continue to flourish.

1. Sumatran Tiger

Classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2008, the Sumatran Tiger has been exclusively native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra for an estimated time of one million years. As the only surviving species from the Sunda Island big cats (including both the Bali tiger and the Javan tiger), the Sumatran tiger has been effected greatly by human development in the last century or so. Though a large proportion of the estimated 600 cats that remain live in protected captivity, it is believed around 1/5 remain in the dangers of the wild.

10. Behemoth

Mentioned originally in Job 40:15-24, the Behemoth is a creature said to be the ‘primal unconquerable monster of the land’ in later Jewish writings. The word itself still holds a place in language today, as a verb used to describe that of huge or vast size and power. With this alone, it’s far from hard to fathom the nature of the beast- described as the demon of lust and gluttony in some texts- the Behemoth is known for its huge razor sharp teeth and claws.

9. Phoenix

Emerging from an Ancient Egyptian myth, the Phoenix is a majestic bird with a close relation to fire. Typically portrayed as possessing gold and red feathers, it is said that a Phoenix is not only born of fire but subsequently chooses to end its 500-1461 year lifespan in the same fashion- constructing a nest which it then goes on to ignite. Once destroyed a young Phoenix will then rise from the embers- or so it is written.

8. Minotaur

Known for his unmistakable characteristics and physical appearance, the Minotaur comes from Greek mythology and is said to possess the upper body of a bull and the lower body of a man. He dwelled in the centre of a huge labyrinth build especially for him by King Minos of Crete and is said to have been killed by Theseus, the founder King of Athens.

7. Centaur

Another Ancient Greek myth, the Centaurs were a race said to possess attributes akin to both man and horse. This mix caused much inner conflict, with a human half desiring to act in a way cultured doing combat on a frequent basis with the uninterested animal instincts of rowdiness, violence, booze intake and other miscellaneous primal urges. To be honest, I think they sound like a cool bunch.

6. Leviathan

The seas equivalent of the Behemoth, the Leviathans roots too lie in biblical scriptures. A beast of unfathomable size, the Leviathan was said to possess glowing, intensely cryptic eyes and an annoying habit for causing much havoc upon the sailors of its day. Though mentioned in the Old Testament, it is unclear whether the beast was created by God or Satan.

5. Dragon

The classic character on this list, dragons have had a place in popular mythology for a very, very long time. Extending back at least 4,000 years, the history of the dragon is one most vibrant and poetic. The beasts still hold much prominence in cultures all over the world today, most notably in China- where they are a symbol of heroism and are denoted as protectors of the just and noble. Pretty cool stuff.

4. Pegasus

Yet another Greek incarnation, Pegasus was said to be the son of Poseidon, God of the seas and the snake haired monster Medusa. Portrayed commonly as a stunning winged horse- there are numerous interpretation of Pegasus’ birth. Whilst there are several depictions in relation to his birth, the one that documents him springing from Medusa’s neck upon the severance of her head at the hands of the great hero Perseus, is most definitely my favorite. Pegasus has been depicted in countless works of art over the century and even has his own constellation, gifted by Zeus after his death.

3. Hydra

A multi-headed serpent like creature, Hydras possessed a deadly poison and a taste for man-flesh. Holding their roots largely in Greek mythology- the most famous of their kind was known only as the ‘Hydra of Lerna’, unsurprisingly due to his choice of home- the Lernaean region of Greece, more particularly the vast marshlands contained therein. The reason for this Hydras fame was his death at the hands of the great hero Hercules. Legend has it that Hercules was able to defeat the beast by devising a technique which involved cauterizing the stump after severing the head-  a process which disallowed its regrowth.

2. Unicorn

As a symbol of purity, freedom and goodness almost universally across many of the world’s cultures- Unicorns are enchanting creatures that resemble horses, only with a large spiralled horn atop their heads.  According to legend, unicorns can only be captured by maidens alone in the forest. Unlike most mythical animals, which tend to be based on humanity’s deepest fears, most unicorn tales convey an animal that is quite gentle and good. Unicorn lore dates back several thousand years, and occasional “sightings” are still being reported today.

1. Cyclops

Today’s top spot goes to the Cyclopes, the famous one eyed dudes who enjoy a rather large reputation thanks to their several differing portrayals throughout history. Once again finding their roots in Greek history, the Cyclopes (plural for Cyclops) were later interpreted in Roman mythology in much the same vein. Covered in the works of Hesiod, Callimachus, Theocritus and Euripides to (literally) name but a few- there are many tales attributed with this not-quite-as-ghastly-as-some-of-the-others creature.

10. Mermaids:

We probably aren’t talking about Ariel and Triton, here, but there have been reports of mysterious pseudo-humans living in the water for thousands of years. There are even cave drawings located at the edge of long-dry ocean beds in the Egyptian desert that seem to depict a group of regular old two-legged people being threatened by creatures that have the torso of people and the tails of fish—and are brandishing spears. One of the prevailing theories of these creatures is that they are an evolutionary hiccup that happened when our ape-like ancestors wandered to the edge of the ocean and eventually just wandered right on in. It is thought that mermaids cooperate with deep ocean animals to hunt for food and stay out of sight of humans. Just don’t tell Flounder.

9. The Yeti

This is not your happy-go-lucky Christmas friend Frosty. The Yeti is also referred to as the Abominable Snowman because he is the often white-furred version of the Bigfoot that tends to live in snowy climates. There’s nothing quite like walking outside to get a nice breath of cold fresh air and admire a newly fallen blanket of snow only to find out that that snow bank you have been leaning on is actually an eight-foot tall monkey thing. Like the mermaids, there are signs of Yeti sightings since before recorded history.

8. Loch Ness Monster:

Nessie is perhaps the most beloved of all the zoological mysteries. Put aside that she might be a dinosaur left over from the end of their world that glides around in the inky black loch just waiting for an unsuspecting fisherman to fall overboard, and you have a pretty romantic tale. Hundreds of years’ worth of accounts speak of an enormous creature in the water, but only ever one. Could this be the oldest and loneliest mystery creature ever? Many people dedicate their lives to not only finding Nessie, but of figuring out what she is and how many more there are. She, of course, is not a unique story. There are apparently similar monsters in New York and Canada.

7. Chupacabras:

Literally “goat suckers”, these interesting little monsters originated in Latin America but have recently traveled their way up to North America as well. The legends began when a whole flock of eight sheep were discovered dead. They each had three puncture wounds in their chests and were completely devoid of blood. The chupacabra is generally described as being about the size of a small bear or large dog with spines down his back and scaly, reptilian skin. In North America the description changes a bit to more resemble a coyote or other wild dog, but with the same spikes. Apparently this creature hops like a kangaroo and goes after animals for the purpose of sucking out all of their blood.

6. Giant Sloth:

This is a mystery that is not so much a mystery but a big question mark. There is actual paleontological evidence that demonstrates that ridiculously huge versions of the cute, super-slow animals did exist in prehistoric times. Now, ridiculously huge is not an exaggeration. We’re talking a skeleton of an animal that looks exactly like the sloths we know and love, but is twenty feet from his head to his tail and would belong to an animal weighing 4 TONS. That’s over 8,000 pounds! The question mark comes in in that there are people who claim to have seen one of these supposedly extinct uber-mammals roaming around in Georgia and the Amazon Rain Forest.

5. Globsters:

While this may sound like the title of a long-lost 50s horror movie, these mysterious creatures are actually the most compelling evidence of unidentified sea monsters. Huge blobs of goo keep washing up on beaches all over the world. These globs are usually described as fibrous collagen, and sometimes exhibit distinctive features such as tentacles, gills, and even mouths. One theory is that many of the less animal-like blobs are actually decomposing whale blubber, but there have been DNA tests that have completely disproved this theory in many situations. So…super huge octopus? Shockingly big squid? Ginormous jellyfish? Or unidentified species of sea goo?

4. Mongolian Death Worm:

This creature is pretty dinky compared to the other monsters on this list. But even at only two to five feet long, the Death Worm is nothing to sneeze at. This bright red worm is said to squirm around the Gobi Desert spewing acid that instantly kills any living creature that it touches. Some reports even say that this super worm can discharge and electric shock as another means of incapacitating and doing away with prey.

3. Mothman:

This weird zoological head-scratcher is so cool that they made a movie out of it. All of the buzz of the Mothman started in 1966 when stories of an enormous winged creature with glowing red eyes started pouring in. Chronicled in the book “The Mothman Prophecies” by John Keel and then later turned into a movie of the same title, these stories became the basis of a cultural phenomenon. Called the Mothman because Batman was so popular at the time—no, not kidding—the creature was seen over the next few months. Around this time people also reported UFOs and “men in black” in the same area. Sightings have dwindled away to almost none and some experts have pondered if perhaps all this hullabaloo was over a sand crane that was lost.

2. Skunk Ape:

The name just says it all, doesn’t it? Florida’s answer to Bigfoot, the skunk ape is said to wander through the swamps. He resembles, well, an ape. It is his smell that really lets people know he’s around, however. Said to be so rank you can smell him almost a mile away, it’s a wonder that there’s really any doubt of this creature. Unlike the Bigfoot sightings in other areas of the country, the skunk ape is said to be slimmer and have brownish gray fur. There’s no real explanation as to why this creature smells as bad as he does. Except, perhaps, that he lives in a swamp.

1. Honey Island Swamp Monster

This is a much cuter name the first eventually the same animal as the skunk ape. This one, however, is said to inhabit the swamps, particularly Honey Island Swamp, in Louisiana. Eyewitnesses describe a seven foot tall, two-legged animal with gray hair and bright red eyes. The enormous footprint set up and found supposedly feature four webbed toes. Even better than the possibility of an actual swap monster, is a local legend that surrounds it. Locals say that in the early 1900s each train was traveling through the area when it crashed. On this train was a traveling circus, and the chimpanzees from the circus escaped into the swamp. There they interbred with such local creatures of the alligators. This, they say, created the swamp monster.