The natural world is resplendent with beautiful animals that reveal the wonders of evolution. This article will present ten creatures that are likely to captivate your imagination.
Do not expect to recognize many of the animals on this list. While some might be familiar, nature provides us with almost 9 million distinct species. Beauty is not limited to the hundreds of animals that we can readily identify.
Some fun facts will be provided about each of the ten animals. Whether for survival or mating, natural selection has endowed these creatures with unusual anatomical adaptations and spectacular panoplies of color!
10. Mandarin Fish
The mandarin fish (Synchiropus splendidus) swims in the south-west Pacific Ocean close to Australia, Taiwan, and the Philippines. Its array of color is similar to that of the robes worn by an Imperial Chinese mandarin or bureaucrat. The blue color comes from a cellular pigment that is unique to the species. The mandarin fish is only 6 cm long. It dwells in secluded lagoons and reefs, eating small crustaceans.
9. Fennec Fox
The fennec fox (Vulpes zerda) lives in North Africa and the Sahara. Its huge ears can grow up to 15 cm long. They radiate heat away from the animal and allow it to locate subterranean prey. The fennec fox is a predominantly nocturnal animal, hunting small mammals, birds, and insects at night. It can live up to 14 years and reach a size of 40 cm, not including its 30 cm tail. They can bark, purr, and snarl, and their natural predator is the eagle owl. 'Fennec' is the Arabic word for fox, and it is the national animal of Algeria.
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