10 Evolutionarily Unique Animals

Using a scientific framework to identify the world’s most Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) species, the EDGE of Existence programme highlights and protects some of the weirdest and most wonderful species on the planet. This is a list of the top 10.

10. Pygmy hippopotamus

The pygmy hippo is a solitary animal that lives among dense vegetation along streams and swamps and in the rainforests of West Africa. It sometimes lives in cultivated areas, but the pygmy hippo is shy: it avoids people, as well as other hippos. Each hippo has its own territory. The male’s territory is larger than the female’s; both mark their territorial boundaries with their droppings. The pygmy hippo feeds mainly when it is dark. It spends most of the day resting within its territory. It changes resting places once or twice a week.

9. Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna

This animal is one of three species from the genus Zaglossus to occur in New Guinea. It is named in honour of Sir David Attenborough. It was considered extinct until recent expeditions have discovered tracks and locals have reported seeing the creature.

8. Bactrian camel

An imposing animal, the Bactrian camel can reach seven feet in height and weigh up to 1,500 pounds. The species’ thick, brown coat changes with the seasons. During winter, it thickens to provide added insulation against the cold while large chunks of fur are shed in the summer to keep the animal cool. Both male and female Bactrian camels have two large humps on their backs. The Bactarian camel is endangered due to loss of habitat.

7. Yangtze River dolphin

This dolphin, also called a Baiji, is a freshwater dolphin found only in the Yangtze River in China. Unfortunately it has already reached the conservation status of Critically endangered – possibly extinct. Fossil records suggest that the dolphin first appeared 25 million years ago and migrated from the Pacific Ocean to the Yangtze River 20 million years ago.

6. Slender loris

The slender loris is a small, nocturnal primate found only in the tropical rainforests of Southern India and Sri Lanka. They are able to live in wet and dry forests, as well as lowland and highland forests. They prefer thick, thorny vegetation wherein they can easily escape predators and find the large assortment of insects that is the mainstay of their diet. The Indian government has laws protecting the slender loris, but its effect is difficult to gage.

5. Hirola antelope

This antelope has recently become very rare, with current censuses reporting fewer than 400 individuals. Only one hirola exists in captivity: an aging female at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas. It is a relic species, and only exists today (barely) due to its unique habitat requirements. Another name for this antelope is the “four-eyed antelope”, due to its pronounced, dark-colored preorbital glands, which are enlarged when excited.

4. Bumblebee bat

The Bumblebee bat competes with the Etruscan pygmy shrew for the title of world’s smallest mammal. These bats are so-named since they’re about the size of a bumblebee, weigh about as much as a dime, and have the ability to hover like hummingbirds. Their roosting habitat consists of the hot upper chambers of caves in limestone hills. Bumblebee bats are are now considered one of the twelve most endangered species on the planet.

3. Golden-rumped elephant shrew

The Golden-rumped elephant shrew is the largest of all the unique African family, the elephant shrews. It is the size of a small rabbit, and is only found in the coastal Arabuko Sokoke National Park north of Mombassa in Kenya. It is classified as endangered because of its highly restricted and fragmented environment; it is also hunted for food and by feral dogs.

2. Hispaniolan solenodon

Hispaniolan solenodon, also known as the Haitian Solenodon or Agouta, is a solenodon only found on the island of Hispaniola, shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and was unknown to science until 1833. Currently, the solenodon may only be surviving in only two places in the Dominican Republic: Jaragua and Del Este National Parks and La Visite National Park in neighboring Haiti. Its presence in Los Haitises National Park in the Dominican Republic is inferred but unconfirmed.

1. Long-eared jerboa

The Long-eared Jerboa, is a nocturnal mouse-like rodent with a long tail, long hind legs for jumping, and exceptionally large ears. It is distinct enough that authorities consider it to be the only member of both its genus, Euchoreutes, and subfamily, Euchoreutinae. In 2007 Zoological Society of London sent a researcher to study human impact on its environment. The study returned with video footage that been noted as the “first time” the creature has been “recorded on camera”. This has helped to start a campaign to protect them.

''RARE(ENDANGERED) ANIMALS OF THE WORLD''

1. Tarsiers

Tarsiers are found only in the islands of Southeast Asia.  Since Southeast Asia encompasses a wide range of islands – Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and more, that might not seem like these little guys are so rare. 

 

  2. Okapi

 

Is it a giraffe?  Is it a zebra?  Is it a ziraffe?  A gebra?  It’s an Okapi!  Ever heard of it?  Apparently, the Okapi’s history reaches back to ancient Egypt, where carvings have since been found.  In Europe and Africa, prior to the 20th century, there existed legends of an “African unicorn.”  Today, that animal is thought to be the Okapi.

3. Sao Tome Shrew

The Sao Tome Shrew is on the Critically Endangered list because not only are there few left, their habitat is progressively declining.  The population continues to decrease, making these animals rare.  Found only Sao Tome Island, a small island that is actually a shield volcano that rises out of the Atlantic Ocean.

 

4. Red Wolf

The Red Wolf is a cousin to the Gray Wolf. There were, luckily, some Red Wolves were still in captivity, twenty to be exact.  Wildlife conservationists increased the number of Red Wolves in captivity to 207, and today there are about 100 living in the wild.  

5. Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat

This cute critter, considered one of the rarest large mammals in the world, is on the Critically Endangered list.  Over 39 inches long, the Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat is a shade larger than normal wombats, and are able to breed faster, though that has not improved their Critically Endangered status. 

 

6. Seychelles Sheath-Tailed Bat

This sac-winged bat lives in the Seychelles Islands that lie north of Madagascar.  Once abundant throughout the island chain, the Seychelle Sheath-Tailed Bat is extinct on most of the islands.  The bats live in harem colonies, and have a high reproductive potential.

7. Golden Tabby Tiger

This type of rare tiger is only found in captivity.  The coloring is a result of a recessive gene, and sometimes the Golden Tabby is also called the Strawberry Tiger.  These types of tigers have a Bengal parentage, but generally have Amur tiger in their lineage somewhere. 

8. The Baiji 

The Baiji is also known as the river dolphin, and found outside of China. This dolphin is so rare, it is possibly extinct now. The dolphin’s numbers dwindled due to competing for its food with humans. Humans hunt fish, and that was the main source of their survival.

  

9. The Vancouver Island Marmot

This Marmot is found largely in British Columbia. Back in the year 2000, researchers discovered their numbers had fallen to approximately 75. Some have been taken to rehab facilities to try and mate them. If they can increase their numbers to 400 to 500, this will prevent their extinction.

  

10. Star Nose Moles

Star nosed moles, bizarre and creepy in appearance are rare and found in lowland areas of eastern Canada and northeast regions of the United States. They are only 15 to 20 centimeters long in length and only around 50 grams in weight. 

 11. Proboscis Monkey

Also famous as the Long-nosed Monkey, the Proboscis Monkey is an Old World monkey. The monkey has a very large nose as well as a reddish brown color. The Proboscis Monkey is found in Borneo’s mangrove forests, swamps, and even the plain riparian forests.

  

12. The Rare White Lion

The White Lions are rare animals found in South Africa. They are not albinos, but an inherited scarcity, unique to one common region on the glob. Their white color is a result of rare color mutation of the Kruger breed of lion.

13. Dumbo Octopus

Dumbo Octopus, rare and very cute little octopus is found deep down in oceans. This breed of octopus got its name from its strange flapping ears, which are connected to its round head-like body.

 

14. The Pinta Island tortoise

Lived in Pinta island, this tortoise are include into Giant Galapagos Tortoise species, which is the most rare in the world, because now only left 1 in the world.

  

15. Iberian Lynx

Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus), is the world’s most endangered species of cat. Formerly widespread in Spain and Portugal, the Iberian lynx is now confined in Andalusia; inhabiting woodlands and open pasture feeding primarily on rabbits.

 

16. Tamaraw

The tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis) also known as Mindoro Dwarf Buffalo is endemic to Mindoro. When fully grown, this water buffalo grows to about 100 to 105 cm at shoulder length, 220 cm long and weighs between 200 to 300 kilograms.

  

17. Hispid Hare

The Hispid hare (Caprolagus hispidus), was once widespread across the Himalayan mountain chain, stretching from India, Nepal to Pakistan. It is about 38 – 50 cm long and weighs 2 – 2.5 kg. Hispid hare feeds on bark, grass roots, shoots and occasionally crops.

18. Javan Rhino

The Javan Rhinoceros (Sunda Rhinoceros) was once widespread across Southeast Asia, China and India. But due to rampant hunting for its prized-horn, and deforestation; Javan rhino is now a critically endangered species.