Five of the Strangest Animals On The Planet!

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1. Lungless Frog
The Barbourula Kalimantanensis, or the lungless frog is just that—lungless! Frogs grow up from tadpoles that usually have lungs, but these little creatures grow up without ever developing them. Instead they use their skin to get the oxygen needed to surive. Researchers believe their flat bodies increase the surface area for absorbing oxygen. It also helps that they live in higher oxygenated water.
Check out more about frogs at your library with books like:

• Frogs! by Kathryn Hoffman Satterfield
• Frogs and Toads by Sally Morgan
• Tadpoles to Frogs by Bobbie Kalman

2. Vampire Squid
Vampire Squid don’t turn into bats or suck your blood, but they’re still pretty creepy. These sea creatures live in the deepest, darkest and coldest parts of the ocean where they squirt neon ooze at other species and turn completely inside out.
Check out more about squids at your library with books like:

• Octopuses and Squids (Undersea Encounters) by Mary Jo Rhodes and David Hall
• Squids by Jody Sullivan Rake

3. Green Sea Slug
We hear so much about being green these days, and the Green Sea Slug is nature’s example—he’s solar powered! The Elysia Chlorotica can live for up to a year on sunlight alone.
Check out more about slugs at your library with books like:

• Slimy Sea Slugs by Natalie Lunis
• Slugs by Anthony D. Fredericks and Gerry Ellis

4. Star-nosed Mole
This furry little guy is called a Star-nosed Mole because he looks like he has a red star on his face. This animal is thought to be blind and uses its mysterious nose for forging underwater, finding prey and burrowing.

Check out more about moles at your library with books like:

• Discovering Shrews, Moles & Voles by Jill Bailey and John Yates
• Moles by Patricia Whitehouse

5. Long-eared Jerboa
The Long-eared Jerboa should be called the miniature Dumbo! These fun little creatures have enourmous ears in comparision to their tiny bodies. The jerboa is primarily a nocturnal animal who eats insects. It spends most of its time hopping about like a kangaroo and rumaging through underground tunnels. This bouncy rodent’s ears are a third bigger than its head!
Check out more about rodents at your library with books like:

• Rodents by Sally Morgan
• Mammals by Barbara Taylor

For more animal fun check out: Between the Lions which offers fun stories, games, and video clips.