Modern science knows more than 7 million species of various animals that inhabit our planet. It is unsurprising that people regularly encounter mammals, birds, insects and fish that look so unusual that it is simply impossible not to notice them. If you cannot identify a strange creature, then it makes sense to turn to the great Internet and its followers – Internet experts. They will get out their encyclopedias, and comb through all available and inaccessible sources, but will find an answer to any request.
“The slipperiest thing I’ve ever touched. Who is it?”
This is a large leopard slug. It is better to wash your hands after contact with it, as it can carry various infections.
“What is this unusual lizard?”
This is an eyed chalcid.
“What kind of rodent is this?”
This is a mole rat. It is neither a mole nor a rat. It belongs to the rodent family.
“Found this insect on a trail in Northern India”
This is a species of long-tongued horsefly, philoliche longirostris.
“Need help to figure out what kind of baby this is”
This is a Cape hyrax.
“Who could it be?”
The horsefly is a predatory insect that hunts smaller flies.
“What is this strange animal?”
This is a giant river turtle and it probably has albinism, which is what gives it its colour.
“What are these blue creatures I found on the rocky coast of Cefalu in Sicily?”
Velella: They often wash up on beaches along the northern Oregon coast.
“Saw this adorable animal at the zoo chilling out with giant tortoises and flying foxes”
Mouse deer. There are several species, but this one looks like a large mouse deer.
“What is this miracle? Landaed on my friend, trying to right itself, was found near the water”
This is a June beetle found in the eastern United States and Canada.
“I saw this crawling on my car tyre. Does anyone know what it is?”
This is a bagworm. The insect uses various debris to build a small house that it carries with it until it is time to pupate.
“What is this? Some kind of starfish?”
This is a serpentine. It is not a starfish, but it is very close to one.
“The creature was found on a beach in North Carolina.”
This is a type of jellyfish called the Aurelia aurita.
“A strange shiny and glowing creature. It was found in Costa Rica”
This is a sea sapphire, a small crustacean that lives in warm ocean waters.
“What kind of bird is this?”
This appears to be a baby Australian sultan chick.
“What kind of penguin is this?”
I think this is a young king penguin.
“Can anyone tell me what kind of animal this is that looks like a baby monkey with claws almost like a bird’s?”
This is a golden-shouldered tamarin.