10 Strange Animals and Where to Go to See Them
For many travellers, the chance to see exotic wildlife is one of the major reasons to take a holiday to a specific place.
We’re no different.
Weird and wacky animals always catch our attention, and we’ve made sure most of our wildlife tours give travellers the opportunity to spot some of the world’s most unusual wildlife in the flesh. But beyond their peculiar looks, many of these species are also indicators of fragile ecosystems. Your experience of seeing them helps you understand why conservation-led travel matters and how responsible tourism can help protect some of the planet’s most extraordinary creatures.
There are truly bizarre wildlife oddities out there in the wild. So, we’ve collected a list of our ten favourite strange animals for you to enjoy—and perhaps to go in search of on your trip.
1. Pangolin
Best place to see pangolins: Africa
Quick facts about the pangolin
Family: Manidae
IUCN status: Vulnerable–Critically Endangered (species dependent)
Habitat: Tropical forests, savannahs & grasslands
Average adult weight: 2–33kg (species dependent)
Pangolins are truly bizarre creatures that look a bit like armoured anteaters. In fact, another name for them is ‘scaly anteaters’! Amazingly, though, these unique animals are much more closely related to dogs, cats and even seals than to anteaters or armadillos (the mammals they most resemble).
Despite their strange looks, we think pangolins are actually quite cute, with their beady eyes and big feet, and of course their habit of curling up into a ball when they’re threatened! A good place to go to try to spot them is sub-Saharan Africa, where three different subspecies may reveal themselves.
Sadly, many species of pangolin have become critically endangered in Africa as well as Asia due to intensive illegal hunting and poaching for their meat and scales.
Best time to see pangolins
The dry season (November—March) is when sightings of these nocturnal and diurnal species are more likely in Ghana’s dry or deciduous forests, where they actively forage.
By opting for our Ghana - Birds, Rare Mammals & Butterflies tour, you can seek out the rare, diurnal black-bellied pangolins. Ghana offers you the best opportunities to see this wonderful and gravely endangered mammal in the wild.
2. Aye-aye
Best place to see aye-ayes: Madagascar
Quick facts about the aye-aye
Scientific name: Daubentonia madagascariensis
IUCN status: Endangered
Habitat: Rainforests & some tropical deciduous forests
Average adult weight: 2.5–2.8kg
Madagascar is known for being home to many strange animals, most of which are found nowhere else in the world.
One great example of this is the aye-aye, with its bulging eyes, ever-growing teeth and long fingers. It can be very creepy-looking, especially if you suddenly come face-to-face with one in the forest at night!
Aye-ayes are a type of lemur and can be found exclusively in the jungles of Madagascar, where they come out at night to forage.
Best time to see aye-ayes
Nighttime in a wooded islet in Lac Ampitabe, particularly during the dry season (May—November), since insects are easier to find.
Further Reading: Lemurs in Madagascar Travel Guide
3. Capybara
Best place to see capybaras: Latin America
Quick facts about the capybara
Scientific name: Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
IUCN status: Least Concern
Habitat: Wetlands, rivers & flooded grasslands
Average adult weight: 35–66kg
Capybaras are the largest living rodents and are found across much of Latin America. They tend to live near bodies of water in large social groups, which can reach up to 100 individuals during the dry season.
They're often spotted acting as a perch for various birds, which adds to their unusual appearance.
One thing that may surprise you about capybaras is that they're incredibly fast, capable of running as quickly as a horse if they need to. They can also stay underwater for up to five minutes and have been seen using this trick to avoid predators.
Best time to see capybaras
Early morning or late afternoon along rivers, wetlands or flooded grasslands across Latin America, especially in the dry season (generally between May/June—October/November), when water levels are lower.
Iberá Wetlands in Argentina is home to an abundance of wildlife, including capybaras. Our Argentina Wildlife holiday visits the beautiful northeast region for two days, giving you plenty of time to catch a close-up sighting of the rodent in its natural habitat.
4. Armadillo Girdled Lizard
Best place to see armadillo girdled lizards: South Africa
Quick facts about the armadillo girdled lizard
Scientific name: Ouroborus cataphractus
IUCN status: Near Threatened
Habitat: Rocky outcrops in arid regions
Average adult weight: 90–120g
Endemic to the Northern and Western Cape provinces of South Africa, this lizard reminds us of nothing more than a tiny dragon. This resemblance is especially pronounced when the unusual animals roll themselves up to protect themselves from danger—the behaviour that earned them their name.
Another interesting fact about armadillo girdled lizards is that they're one of the few lizard species that give birth to live young, and there's some evidence that the females may actually feed their young, which is even more uncommon.
Best time to see armadillo girdled lizards
Daytime on rocky outcrops in South Africa’s arid regions; they’re most active during mid-morning and late afternoon (year-round).
Our Enigmatic Wildlife small group tour gives you a chance to see the lizard. It's located in Namaqualand, along with Weber’s thick-toed gecko, southern spiny agama, rhombic skaapsteker and a swathe of vertebrate enigmas.
5. Magnificent Frigatebird
Best place to see magnificent frigatebirds: Galapagos Islands
Quick facts about the magnificent frigatebird
Scientific name: Fregata magnificens
IUCN status: Least Concern
Habitat: Coastal areas & tropical oceans
Average adult weight: 1–1.6kg
These incredible birds, endemic to the Galapagos Islands, boast wingspans of nearly two-and-a-half metres and have been spotted flying as high as 2,500 metres above sea level.
They're sometimes called ‘man-o’-war’ birds, because they like to attack other birds while they’re flying and even try to steal their food on occasion.
What makes these birds truly strange, though, is the big red sac the males have on their chests, which they balloon up to try to attract a mate.
Best time to see magnificent frigatebirds
Breeding season (September—May in the Galapagos), when males display their inflated red throat pouches on coastal nesting sites.
North Seymour is home to abundant magnificent frigatebirds, Galapagos sea lions and blue-footed boobies. Our Best of Ecuador & Galapagos Wildlife holiday visits the island and other beautiful destinations in search of unusual fauna and flora.
6. Fossa
Best place to see fossas: Madagascar
Quick facts about the fossa
Scientific name: Cryptoprocta ferox
IUCN status: Vulnerable
Habitat: Rainforests & dry forests
Average adult weight: 5.5–8.6kg
These cat-like mammals can measure up to four feet in length, and researchers believe they're most closely related to the more familiar mongoose and other animals like it, although they look a lot like cougars.
Fossa (fosa) primarily eat lemurs, and is the only carnivore on Madagascar that's big enough to eat even adult lemurs.
Their long bodies, small, rounded ears and short legs earn them a place on this list—although, like the pangolin, we can’t help thinking they’re rather cute.
Best time to see fossas
Early morning or late afternoon in Madagascar’s Kirindy Forest during the austral spring (September & November), as wildlife is generally more active.
Kirindy Forest is the place in which to seek the nationally scarce animal. By journeying here on our Tsingy, Baobabs, Wildlife and Whales tour, you have a great opportunity to see them in addition to other rare and unusual wildlife oddities.
7. Sloth
Best place to see sloths: Latin America
Quick facts about the sloth
Suborder: Folivora
IUCN status: Least Concern–Critically Endangered (species dependent)
Habitat: Tropical rainforests
Average adult weight: 3–6kg
Known for their slowness of movement, sloths can be found among the trees in Latin American countries such as Panama, Brazil, Costa Rica and many more.
Their faces look slightly dopey, and from some angles, they seem to be smiling. Their slowness of movement is due to their slow metabolism, a result of their leaf diet, and is also thought to help them escape detection by predators who hunt by sight.
Sloths today might be small and cute, but until about 11,000 years ago, their ancestors roamed on the ground and were larger than modern elephants.
Best time to see sloths
Late morning in the tropical forests across Latin America is when they descend occasionally from the canopy to feed or defecate (year-round).
Our Costa Rica Highlights tour gives you plenty of chances to see sloths in the wild. From Tortuguero National Park to Monteverde Cloud Forest and Manuel Antonio National Park, you experience a stunning variety of wildlife and scenery.
8. Velvet Ant
Best place to see velvet ants: Latin America
Quick facts about the velvet ant
Scientific name: Euspinolia militaris
IUCN status: Not Evaluated
Habitat: Dry forests & desert regions
Average adult weight: ~0.03g
Confusingly, these insects are actually wasps of multiple different breeds. The females are wingless and hairy, and very much resemble ants.
Some specimens in Chile have been found with black and white colouring, and when you see these, you'll understand why the unique animals are also called ‘panda ants’.
These bugs are known for their extremely painful stings. Such is the strength of these stings, in fact, these wasps are also known by another name: ‘cow killers’.
Best time to see velvet ants
Summer months (December—February) in Chile’s dry forests and desert regions; wingless females are most active during daylight hours, searching for hosts to parasitise.
You may see these small, but mighty insects in places such as Cajón del Maipo around Santiago. Most of our sample itineraries, such as Highlights of Chile, provide plenty of time in Santiago - giving you a chance to tailor it to your liking.
9. Pink Fairy Armadillo
Best place to see pink fairy armadillos: Argentina
Quick facts about the pink fairy armadillo
Scientific name: Chlamyphorus truncatus
IUCN status: Data Deficient
Habitat: Sandy plains & scrubland
Average adult weight: 90–120g
These beautifully bizarre creatures might just be our favourites on this list!
The pink fairy armadillo is a tiny creature found only in central Argentina, and they're so rare that scientists haven't been able to classify their conservation status. Small enough to fit in a human hand, these tiny armadillos are nocturnal and burrow in the ground.
These are generally difficult to spot due to their shyness, but if you want to try, central Argentina is the place to go.
Best time to see pink fairy armadillos
Nighttime in sandy plains or scrubland of central Argentina; sightings are rare and usually occur after rainfall when they forage (year-round).
Further Reading: Best Time to Visit Argentina Travel Guide
10. Maned Wolf
Best place to see maned wolves: Latin America
Quick facts about the maned wolf
Scientific name: Chrysocyon brachyurus
IUCN status: Near Threatened
Habitat: Grasslands, savannahs & scrub forests
Average adult weight: 20–30kg
Maned wolves are not, in fact, wolves—just to be confusing. These long-legged beauties are in a genus all of their own (Chrysocyon) and are related to wild dogs, foxes, wolves, and all other species of canid. The most reliable place to spot them is Pousada Trijunção in Brazil.
The strange animals are solitary creatures with large ears and are omnivorous, unlike many other hunters. Some scientists think that over half their diet might be vegetable matter, in fact. This certainly adds to their strangeness, but we think these canids are very beautiful despite how unusual they are.
Best time to see maned wolves
Dusk or dawn in open savannahs and grasslands of Brazil; the dry season (July—October) improves chances of spotting them near water.
Maned wolves can be found in Argentina, Bolivia, Peru and Brazil. Our Brazilian Wildlife in Depth sample itinerary takes you to the Cerrado: the best place to seek the rare canine. This is in addition to the wildlife-rich Amazon and Pantanal.
Ready to see the strange animals of Africa and Latin America?
From Ghana’s rare pangolin to Argentina’s tiny pink fairy armadillo, your experience seeking these unusual animals is best done with expert guides. Travelling thoughtfully increases your chances of a sighting and helps protect their habitat. Speak to our Travel Specialists and start planning your wildlife holiday today.
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