Everyone loves a cute and cuddly panda bear or sweet little sea turtle, but what about the more…aesthetically challenged species of the world? Since they might not be pretty to observe, do these critters deserve any less love? Here is a sampling of some of nature’s less-than-cute creatures that are still an important part of our ecosystem.
The California Condor
One of the rarest birds in the world is also pretty hard on the eyes. The largest bird in North America, the California condor has a bald head, bulging chin, and rather demonic red eyes. The feather-free skull of this and other members of the vulture family are an adaptation, keeping their heads clean while they are feeding on carrion. Bald is beautiful for the condor!
Naked Mole Rat
Another follically challenged beast, the naked mole rat’s hairlessness is a result of the creature adapting to its underground living environment. This beady-eyed and bucktoothed creature is among the longest living of rodents, and is remarkably resistant to cancer. Mole rats have an unusual gene makeup that keeps cancer cells from multiplying.
Marabou Stork
Another bald carrion eater (are you sensing a pattern here?), the marabou stork is not one you want to picture delivering new babies. At a height of over five feet with a wingspan twice that, these unpleasant looking African birds have been known to eat flamingos.
Elephant Seal
The elephant seal may look large and cumbersome but it is deceptively fast. It has been tracked wriggling over sand even faster than a human can run! When defending their territory they are capable of impressively terrifying grunts, and battles among males are brutal things to behold. So named because of their long, trunk-like nose, they are definitely not as cute as their sweet-faced harbor seal cousins.
Star-Nosed Mole
With its disproportionately large claws and a nose that looks more like fingers, the star-nosed mole is a shudder-inspiring sight, but a no less wondrous one. Their snouts contain more than 2,500 sensory receptors that help it feel its way through its underground world.
Aye-Aye
With an unusual name and even more odd appearance, the aye-aye looks something like Dracula got stuck in mid transformation from bat back to man. Large ears, human-like eyes, and long bony fingers are some the aye-aye’s finer characteristics. Native to Madagascar, this tiny nocturnal primate subsists on insects and grubs.
