Our planet is populated with so many animal species, it’s no wonder that some have jaw-dropping traits.
From males giving birth to blood squirting eyes, these just get crazier as we go on.
As if they fell straight out of a comic book with all their unique superpowers. But actually, it’s just their natural way of life.
Without further ado, here’s a list of the most bizarre animal facts that might leave you speechless.
1. Flamingos Aren’t Pink
Starting off strong!
Flamingos are actually born grey or white, and turn pink during their first years of life.
The reason their feathers change color is due to their diet. They eat algae and brine shrimp. Since this food is actually toxic, if any other animal ate it, it would pass away.
Thanks to their metabolism, flamingos are able to process the harmful chemicals. This leads to the pigments staining their feathers.
But that’s not all! Even their skin, egg yolks and fat become stained pink.
2. Immortal Jellyfish
The so-called Turritopsis Dohrnii, holds a secret to immortality. Pretty cool, right?
But the process behind this secret is not that simple.
When the jellyfish passes away, it sinks to the ocean floor. Its cells then start to break down, forming into polyps. These polyps grow into new jellyfish.
This remarkable life circle allows them to reset their aging process, making them biologically immortal.
3. Male Seahorses Get Pregnant And Give Birth
Take notes, this is called being a gentleman.
The only male animals that get pregnant. Wow!
This process is actually quite simple. The female passes the eggs to her mate so she can start producing more eggs immediately. Talk about teamwork!
Here’s where it gets even more interesting – the male seahorse can give birth up to 2,000 babies at a time.
It seems like having a big family is a huge deal for them.
4. Octopuses Have Nine Brains And Three Hearts
Being the brains of the sea world sure isn’t easy. But these fellas do it with a lot of love.
Regardless of such a huge number of these organs, each plays an important role.
When it comes to the brains, the octopus has one central brain which controls the main body functions. All the other brains are each for one hand. This allows the arms to work independently. Can you even imagine that?
And it just gets better. Their three hearts have their own purposes too. Two of them pump blood to the grills to get oxygen. The other one pumps that oxygenated blood to the rest of the body.
I would honestly thrive with such an ability to multitask.
5. Blood-Squirting Eyes
This lizard seems just like any other, but its ability is just…Yuck!
Although they use other defense mechanisms, like camouflage or inflating their bodies, they also shoot blood from their eyes.
And that’s not all – they can shoot up to three feet high. This tactic is used to confuse predators and also contains toxins.
It might take me days to get over this one.
6. Regrowing Eyes
Axolotls are creatures famously known for their ability to regenerate their body.
But, did you know that they can actually regrow their eyes?
Thanks to the special cells in their body, damaged parts are rebuilt. This ability can help them make a fully functional new eye. Wow!
7. Polar Bears Have Black Skin
Widely known and admired for their white fur, polar bears actually have black skin.
Their dark skin is actually essential, as darker colors absorb heat from the sun better.
This helps the bears stay warm in the Arctic, but it also protects them from harmful UV radiation.
But that’s not all – even their mouths and tongues change during the years and start getting black dots.
I think they’re just envious of the pandas’ cute fur and are trying to mimic it.
8. Color-Changing Eyes
Raindeers are the only mammals known to adapt their eyes to the season. Their eyes are usually a brownish-gold, but during the winter change to a deep blue.
This change helps them adapt to the dark days and makes them see better.
I must admit, impressive superpowers!
9. Frogs That Freeze Themselves For Months
During the cold winter days, some frogs have a hard time finding food. What else is there to do than to freeze yourself?
The fogs bury themselves in mud, slow down their heart and absorb oxygen through their skin.
Nearly 65% of the frog’s body remains frozen. On top of that, they can stay in this state for up to 8 months. Fascinating, isn’t it?