Mammals are one of the most common species of animals that we find on the Earth. They have several distinguishing features which separate them from the rest of the animal kingdom. Mammals feed their young ones with the milk produced by their mothers. They have fur or hair over their bodies. There are several mammals which stand apart due to their unique characteristics. Shall we learn more about the most unique mammals in the world?
Blue Whale
Blue whale is the largest mammal on the Earth, and the largest animal known to exist. Blue whales can grow up to 98 feet in length and weigh up to 190 tons! Though its body has a grayish-blue color, it is called blue whale as it appears blue under water.
A rough comparison of the weight of blue whales with other things will give us an idea of its enormity. The tongue of blue whale can weigh as much as an elephant! Its heart weighs as much as an automobile! It is one of the loudest animals too.
The most curious aspect of blue whale is that despite the huge size, it feeds on shrimp-sized animals called krill. But yes, they consume tons of krill every day. Blue whales have an average life-span of 80 to 90 years. This majestic animal was facing extinction threats due to the actions of whale hunters, until a total ban was imposed on its hunting.
Etruscan shrew
Like the blue whale, Etruscan shrew is an animal that amazes us with its size. But it is not big, just too tiny. It is the smallest mammal on the Earth when the mass of the animal is taken into account. The average weight of a shrew is 1.8 grams. It has a body length of 4 centimeters, excluding the tail.
Don’t go by the size of these animals. Etruscan shrew is known to have a big appetite. It can eat food up to 2 times its body weight. Shrews remain active throughout the day, and have a high rate of metabolism. They can hunt down preys which are almost the size of their body. This really is one of the most unique mammals in the world!
Bumblebee bat
If we count body size as the criterion for the smallest mammal in the world, the title goes to the bumblebee bat. But in terms of weight, Etruscan shrew is the winner. Bats fly like birds, but are in fact mammals. Bumblebee bat is a tiny member of the bat family. It got the name as it is almost the size of a bumblebee.
Bumblebee bats are commonly found in Thailand and Myanmar. They live in limestone caves along rivers. Unlike the shrews, bumblebee bats are lazy creatures. They roost for most part of the day, waking up only in the mornings and evenings to feed on some insects.
Volcano rabbit
The name volcano rabbit gives us an idea about the habitat of these rabbits. Yes, they are the inhabitants of volcanic regions. Volcano rabbits are commonly found in the slopes of the four volcanoes of Mexico. Volcano rabbits are one of the tiniest rabbits in the world. They weigh only around 390 to 600 grams.
Volcano rabbits love high-altitude places. They are fond of pine forests, grasslands and alder forests. They are facing extinction threats due to human encroachment over their habitats.
Caribou
Among the most unique mammals in the world, there are some that have become part of our customs and traditions. Caribou is one such mammal. Is the name unfamiliar? Now, does the name reindeer ring a bell? Yes, it is the same animal that drags Santa’s sleigh.
Caribou belongs to the family of reindeer with slight modifications. Reindeers are native to Europe and Asia whereas caribou are commonly found in North America. Reindeers can be domesticated, but caribou are wild animals. They are known for making long-distance migrations. The most distinguishable feature of the caribou is its widely branching antlers. Caribou is the only deer species in which both males and females have antlers.
Bush babies
Doesn’t the name bush baby sound very adorable? The tiny nocturnal animal does look cute with its large round eyes and bat-like ears. Bush babies or galagos are natives to sub-Saharan Africa. They got the name either due to their baby-like cries or due to their appearance.
Bush babies have powerful jumping abilities. In spite of having a small body, they can jump for long distances. They are highly agile creatures. Bush babies become active at night and sleep during the daytime. There are several scary myths surrounding them. The weirdest one is that bush babies are powerful enough to kidnap human babies! Baby-like cries of these poor animals are a way for parents to scare their children, and prevent them from stepping outdoors at night.
Pangolin
Pangolins are the only species of mammals which have protective hard scales covering their entire body. This makes them one of the most unique mammals in nature. They are also called scaly anteaters. Although pangolins resemble reptiles because of their scaly look, they are mammals. They live in hollow trees or burrows and are nocturnal animals.
A unique feature of pangolin is that it can curl into a ball when threatened by predators. Pangolin’s diet consists of ants and termites. They have no teeth, so they catch their food using the sticky tongue. Pangolin scales are made of keratin, and are used in traditional medicines. Their meat is considered a tasty delicacy. Due to this, pangolin is the most trafficked mammal in the whole world.
Platypus
Platypus, also called the duck-billed platypus, is one of the most unique mammals in the world. Its body resembles a mix of several other animals. It has broad bills and webbed feet like a duck, its tail resembles a beaver’s tail, and its body resembles an otter. This is so unique that scientists who examined the specimens initially doubted the existence of this animal.
Platypus belongs to the monotreme group of mammals, which means that they lay eggs instead of giving birth to the young ones. But they are included in the category of mammals as they nourish the young ones with their milk. They are semi-aquatic animals that feed on insect larvae, worms, and freshwater shrimp.
Pygmy possum
Pygmy possums belong to the marsupial group of mammals, which means that they carry their young ones in pouches in their body. These possums are extremely tiny, ranging from 5 to 12 centimeters in length. Most of the pygmy possum species are native to Australia.
Pygmy possums are nocturnal animals. They are omnivorous, but their major diet consists of nectar and pollen. Like many other mammals, pygmy possums are also facing extinction threats due to loss of habitat.
Water deer
Water deer belongs to the unique category of deer with vampire-like fangs. They resemble musk deer more than the true deer. They are native to China and Korea. These deer don’t have antlers, only a pair of protruding upper teeth. These fang-like teeth have given them the nickname, vampire deer.
Although the fangs give the water deer a deadly look, they are herbivorous just like other deer. They feed on reeds and fresh shoots of grass. They are solitary animals. Male water deer are very protective of their own territory.
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