When parents tell their children how babies are delivered by storks in a neat and comfortable blanket, we have a hard time believing they have the marabou stork in mind. This bizarre creature sports a massive appendage on its throat, which makes it seem like it has a really bad case of inflammation.
These storks can be found in the areas of Africa south of the Sahara. Their name is derived from the Arabic word ‘murabit’, which signifies quiet and hermit-like behavior. They are quite large birds and can reach up to 5 feet three inches in height, and weigh up to 20 pounds. You should probably avoid the urge to give them inflammation relief medication, as they are quite unfavorable to humans.
Matamata Turtle
The mata mata turtle is often referred to as the weirdest turtle on earth. It has one of the most bizarre heads of any animal and originates from deep in the Amazonian forests. These turtles are quite big and can reach up to two feet in length. Matamata turtles are also known for having relatively long lifespans and can live up to 75 years.
Matamata turtles have a voracious appetite for fish and tend to wait for food to come to them, rather than actively hunting for it. When a small sea creature gets close enough to the mata mata turtle, it simply opens its mouth, sucks it in, and bites down on it quickly, ensuring a fantastic meal.
Proboscis Monkey
Let's face it, the only reason anyone knows what a Proboscis monkey is can be easily traced to its incredibly large and funny-looking nose. These monkeys can mostly be found in Indonesia, and belong to the subfamily Colobinae of the Old World monkeys. They are one of the largest monkey species in Asia and can weigh up to 50 pounds.
Scientists have speculated that the male's large nose is a feature made for sexual selection, as it holds no practical benefit other than being hilarious to humans. Proboscis monkeys are known for being fantastic swimmers and have webbed feet to be able to quickly escape from crocodiles.
Silkie Chicken
Silkie chickens are like the ultimate combination of chickens and dogs. They are fluffy, furry, and friendly birds that could easily work as pets. Despite being covered almost entirely in a white fur-like coating, silkie chickens actually have either black or dark-blue skin. Breeders have managed to make these birds grow various different colors of plumage just for fun.
These beautiful birds originate from Asia, particularly China, and were referenced by the iconic Marco Polo sometime during the 13th century. Silkie chickens are known for being very calm and tempered. If you're looking for a bird as your next pet, these Chinese beauties are great potential friends.
Indian Gharial
The Indian gharial is a unique crocodile that looks a lot more like a duck than an alligator. It reaches up to 20 feet in length and is mostly recognized by its unique snout, which makes it look like it might quack at any moment. This ancient beast is believed to have evolved more than 40 million years ago but is currently in critically endangered condition.
While we're poking a bit of fun at its appearance, it's important to note that this crocodile can easily hunt and kill a human if it wants to. You can find these carnivores mostly around the northern Indian subcontinent. Its main reason for being near extinction is a loss of habitat and food supply, and humans are rushing to fix this before it goes fully extinct.