The natural world is full of wonders. Look around! Everywhere you turn is a marvel – a pretty plant, a beautiful face, or some kind of cool animal is at every step!
Let’s not fool ourselves, though. Some animals just do it better than others. With dazzling colors, jaw-dropping appearances, or just cool and weird patterns, we see how truly creative nature can be.
Come along for a journey and see what animal beauties grace our planet today!
1. Indian Peafowl
Step side, human fashion icons! This bird here is about to stop all your shows!
We know that peacocks (the more well-known name for these birds) are always ready for a flaunt. That’s because males flash their tail feathers during mating rituals! They make all the ladies swoon!
But here’s a fun fact: did you know that their tails are made of about 200 long feathers? And the show isn’t just visual, either! It’s auditory, too. Males also create unique sounds for females while showing off! Oh, the hubris!
2. Mandarin Duck
Coppery orange, iridescent blue, and titanium white – have you ever seen a color combo this beautiful before? This duck looks like it stepped out of a painting!
The Mandarin Duck comes from East Asia where it’s often considered a symbol of love and fidelity. The reason why? Because they form lifelong pairs! It’s a shame that after mating seasons the males lose their bright plumage, though!
3. Glasswing Butterfly
Sometimes, true beauty lies in simplicity and subtlety! This is why the Glasswing Butterfly comes on this list: they have delicate and transparent wings that shimmer in the sunlight!
You can try to look for one in Central and South America, but good luck finding it! The see-through wings are camouflage, of course. But the outer edge tint of the wings gives them quite an ethereal glow!
4. Axolotl
I consider axolotls to be a real-life Pokemon with its adorable smile and feathery gills. These amphibians are native to lakes near Mexico City, and they are famous for their ability to regenerate body parts!
A not-so-fun fact: Axolotls are critically endangered in the wild. But in captivity? They’re quite popular because of their adorable appearance and regenerative abilities I mentioned before!
5. Snow Leopard
A true ghost of the snowy mountains! The Snow Leopard is elusive, and they roam the snowy peaks of Central and South Asia.
Their thick and spotted furs are amazing camouflage for the snowy mountains, yes. But they’re also quite stylish! The dotted outfit makes them the most beautiful animals ever!
Snow Leo’s strong and muscular build doesn’t just make them look good! It helps them leap up to 50 feet! So strong and stunning! What a combo!
6. Scarlet Macaw
We see them in photos quite often, but they shouldn’t be less appreciated for it! This tropical parrot is a rainbow that comes to life, after all. They’re also natives of Central and South America, just like the pretty Glasswing Butterfly!
Let’s also not forget the fact that these birds are not just pretty, they’re also intelligent! Scarlet Macaws can imitate the way humans speak. And to top it off? They can live up to 50 years, which makes them some of the longest-lived bird species.