There are a plethora of odd and funny looking animals inhabiting the world, some familiar while others remain a mystery. Have you encountered creatures that resemble characters from a Star Wars film? Within this post, we have handpicked 30 animals that exhibit peculiar and amusing appearances. Not only do they possess strange physical attributes, but some also exhibit extraordinary behaviors.
These animals reside in various habitats, ranging from aquatic to terrestrial, arboreal to subterranean. Despite their otherworldly appearances, some of these creatures are endearing, while a few others may seem unattractive and terrifying. By delving into the details of these funny looking beings, you will gain a greater appreciation for the rationale behind their peculiar looks and actions.
01. Tarsier
The Tarsier is a small, nocturnal primate found in Southeast Asia. They have large, round eyes and long, thin fingers with adhesive pads, making them excellent climbers. However, what makes the Tarsier particularly funny-looking is its comically large eyes. Their eyes are so large that they cannot move them in their sockets, so they have to turn their entire head to look around.
02. Dumbo Octopus
The Dumbo Octopus is a genus of deep-sea umbrella octopuses named after the Disney character Dumbo due to their ear-like fins on either side of their mantle. These fins are used for swimming and give the octopus a unique and comical appearance. Additionally, the Dumbo Octopus is one of the rarest and most elusive creatures on Earth, making it even more fascinating.
03. Hammer-headed Bat
The Hammer-headed Bat, also known as the Big-lipped Bat, is a species of bat found in Africa. What sets this bat apart from its relatives is its unique head shape. The bat’s head is flattened and elongated with a bulbous nose, resembling a hammerhead shark. The purpose of this odd head shape is not entirely known, but it is believed to help with echolocation and communication.
04. Mudskipper
The Mudskipper is a fish that can breathe air and walk on land, found in tidal mudflats and mangrove swamps in Africa, Asia, and Australia. They have a unique adaptation that allows them to breathe through their skin and mouth while on land. However, what makes them look funny is their exaggerated facial expressions, which make them look like they are constantly surprised or smiling.
05. Bald Uakari
The Bald Uakari is a monkey species found in the Amazon Basin of Brazil and Peru. What sets this monkey apart from others is its bright red face and almost hairless head, giving it a unique and somewhat comical appearance. Additionally, the Bald Uakari is known for its loud and distinctive calls, which can be heard from miles away.
06. Cape Rain Frog
The Cape Rain Frog is a species of frog found in South Africa. They have a distinctive round body and short, stubby legs, giving them a comical appearance. Additionally, they are known for their loud, piercing calls, which sound like a baby crying or a cat meowing.
07. Red-lipped Batfish
The red-lipped batfish is a fish that lives in the Galapagos Islands, off the coast of Ecuador. It has a flat body and big, awkward-looking fins that make it look like it’s struggling to swim. However, the most distinctive feature of the red-lipped batfish is its bright red lips. These lips are so unique that they look like they’ve been painted on, which is why the fish has become a popular subject for funny memes and social media posts.
08. Angora Rabbit
The Angora rabbit is a breed of domestic rabbit that is famous for its long, soft, and fluffy wool. This bunny looks like a giant ball of fluff, making it one of the most adorable and funny looking animals in the world. The Angora rabbit comes in a variety of colors, including white, black, and chocolate, and has big floppy ears that add to its cuteness.
09. Sloth
Sloths are slow-moving mammals found in the rainforests of South and Central America. These animals have a unique appearance, with long arms and legs, and a slow, deliberate way of moving. Their faces have a permanent smile, which makes them look like they’re constantly happy, and their shaggy fur adds to their overall comical appearance.
10. Parrotfish
The Parrotfish is a tropical fish found in coral reefs around the world. It has a beak-like mouth that it uses to scrape algae off the coral, which makes it look like a tiny parrot. In addition, the Parrotfish is known for its vibrant colors, which range from bright blue and green to neon pink and orange. With its funny beak and colorful appearance, the Parrotfish is a favorite of divers and snorkelers who love to observe the colorful fish in their natural habitat.
11. White-faced Saki Monkey
The white-faced saki monkey is another South American primate with a unique appearance. As the name suggests, these monkeys have a white face and black fur, making them look like they’re wearing a mask. Their long, bushy tails help them maintain their balance while moving through the trees, and their faces have a perpetual scowl, which adds to their overall comical appearance.
12. Tapir
Tapirs are large, herbivorous mammals found in Central and South America, as well as parts of Asia. These animals have a distinctive appearance, with a long, flexible snout that they use to grab leaves and other vegetation. Their bodies are large and round, and they have short legs that give them a somewhat comical gait.
13. Ostrich
The ostrich is the fastest bird on land and largest bird in the world. This flightless bird has a long neck, skinny legs, and a round body. However, what makes the ostrich look funny is its expression. With big eyes, a long beak, and fluffy feathers that make it look like it’s wearing a tutu, the ostrich looks like a comical character from a children’s book. In addition, this weird bird is known for its strange habits, such as sticking its heads in the sand when it feel threatened, which adds to its funny image.
14. Alpaca
Alpacas are fluffy, camel-like mammals that are native to South America. They have a funny and endearing appearance, with their long necks, short legs, and big eyes. Their fluffy coat comes in a range of colors, including white, black, and brown, and they are often used for their wool, which is soft and hypoallergenic.
15. Pygmy Marmoset
The Pygmy Marmoset is the smallest monkey in the world, and they are found in the rainforests of South America. They are tiny, with a body length of only 5-6 inches, and they have big, bright eyes and long, delicate fingers. Their fluffy fur and comical expressions make them look like they are always in a good mood.
16. Irrawaddy Dolphin
The Irrawaddy dolphin is a freshwater dolphin found in Southeast Asia. It has a rounded head and a stocky body, with a short dorsal fin that makes it look like it’s wearing a beanie hat. However, what makes the Irrawaddy dolphin look funny is its facial expression. With a permanently crooked mouth that makes it look like it’s smiling, the dolphin looks like it’s always in a good mood, which is why it’s often called the “smiling dolphin.”
17. Patagonian Mara
The Patagonian Mara is a large, rabbit-like animal that is found in the grasslands of Argentina. They have a slender body, long legs, and a big nose that gives them a comical appearance. They are known for their funny hopping gait and their habit of standing on their hind legs to survey their surroundings.
18. Naso Lituratus
The Naso Lituratus, also known as the Orangespine Unicornfish, is a fish found in the tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean. It has a long, pointed snout that looks like a unicorn horn, which is why it’s called the Unicornfish. In addition, the fish has a bright orange spot on its forehead and vibrant blue stripes on its body, which make it look like it’s wearing a psychedelic outfit.
19. Gerenuk
The Gerenuk is a type of antelope found in the Horn of Africa. What sets them apart from other antelopes is their long, slender neck and small head. This gives them an almost comical appearance, like a creature out of a Dr. Seuss book. The Gerenuk is also known for standing on its hind legs to reach high branches, making it look even more unusual.
20. Fossa
The Fossa is a carnivorous mammal found in Madagascar. It looks like a cross between a cat and a weasel, with a long, pointed snout and sharp teeth. What makes the Fossa particularly funny looking is its lanky, slinky body, which seems almost too thin for its large head. Despite its odd appearance, the Fossa is an impressive hunter, able to climb trees and swim across rivers to catch prey.
21. Sunda Colugo
The Sunda Colugo, also known as the Flying Lemur, is neither a lemur nor capable of true flight. Instead, it has a flap of skin that allows it to glide through the air between trees. But what really makes the Sunda Colugo funny looking is its face, which looks like a cross between a bat and a teddy bear. Its large, round eyes and tiny nose give it an almost cartoonish expression.
22. Frill-necked Lizard
The Frill-necked Lizard, found in Australia and New Guinea, is also known as the “frilled dragon” or “frilled agama”. Its name comes from the frill of skin around its neck, which it can raise like a collar to make itself look bigger and more intimidating to predators. But when the Frill-necked Lizard is relaxed, its frill gives it a rather comical appearance, like a lizard wearing a ruffled shirt.
23. Platypus
The Platypus is one of the strangest looking creatures on the planet. With its flat, duck-like bill, webbed feet, and beaver-like tail, it seems like a mashup of several different animals. But the most unusual thing about the Platypus is that it is one of the few mammals that lays eggs. Its bizarre appearance has made it a beloved icon of Australian wildlife.
24. Kakapo
The Kakapo is a flightless parrot found in New Zealand. It has a round, fluffy body and a large, curved beak that gives it a distinctive profile. But what really sets the Kakapo apart is its behavior. It is nocturnal, solitary, and has a distinctive “booming” call that can be heard for miles. Unfortunately, the Kakapo is also critically endangered, with only around 200 individuals left in the wild.
25. Saiga Antelope
The Saiga Antelope is a strange looking creature found in Central Asia. It has a long, pointed nose that looks almost like a trumpet or a vacuum cleaner. The nose helps the Saiga filter out dust and regulate its body temperature in the hot, arid environment where it lives. But with its droopy eyes and goofy expression, the Saiga also looks like it belongs in a cartoon.
26. Southern Elephant Seal
The Southern Elephant Seal is the largest seal in the world, and also one of the funniest-looking. Males can weigh up to 8,800 pounds and have a long, pendulous nose that hangs over their mouth, earning them the nickname “elephant seal.” Their thick, wrinkled skin and lumpy bodies only add to their comical appearance. Despite their appearance, these seals are skilled swimmers and can hold their breath for up to two hours.
27. Bornean Orangutan
Orangutans are known for their distinctive orange hair and long, powerful arms, which they use to swing through the trees. The Bornean orangutan is one of two species of orangutan, and is found only on the island of Borneo. Their goofy expressions and lanky bodies make them look like they’re perpetually caught in a state of confusion. Despite their funny appearance, these intelligent primates are facing threats from habitat loss and hunting.
28. Japanese Macaque
Also known as the snow monkey, the Japanese macaque is a social, intelligent primate with a penchant for hot springs. These monkeys have bright red faces and an expressive range of facial expressions, which make them look like they’re always up to something. They also have a thick fur coat that keeps them warm in the cold Japanese winters. Watching a group of macaques lounging in a hot spring is a sight that’s both amusing and endearing.
29. Quokka
The quokka is a small marsupial found only in Western Australia. These animals are known for their friendly demeanor and adorable appearance, which has earned them the title of “the world’s happiest animal.” Their round, smiling faces and tiny, furry bodies make them look like they’re always ready for a good time. Quokkas are also skilled climbers and can often be seen perched on rocks or trees.
30. Shoebill
The shoebill is a large, stork-like bird found in Africa. With its massive beak and bulbous eyes, it looks like something out of a cartoon. Shoebills are known for their intense stare, which they use to hunt fish in the shallow waters of swamps and marshes. Despite their fearsome and ugly appearance, these weird birds are actually quite docile and have a surprisingly soft, fluffy appearance.
Final Thought
Funny looking animals come in all shapes and sizes, and are a reminder of the incredible diversity of life on our planet. While they may look silly or strange to us, each of these animals has evolved unique adaptations that help them survive and thrive in their respective environments. So the next time you come across a funny looking animal, take a moment to appreciate its uniqueness and the amazing diversity of life around us.