20 Unusual & Coolest Species You Didn’t Know Existed

There is a species of the fungus named Chorioactis geaster that only exists in Texas and rural Japan and is thought to have been in both places for 19 million years.

Welwitschia mirabilis is a rare plant endemic to Namibia and Angola. It is well-protected in Angola due to a high concentration of landmines that keeps collectors and poachers away.

There is a species of bacteria (Deinococcus radiodurans) so resistant to radiation that scientists have nicknamed it "Conan the Bacterium."

A previously unknown species of beaked whale was discovered in the northern Pacific in 2013. It is black, 24 feet long, and they have only been seen from the dead carcasses that have washed up on the beaches.

There is a species of deer named Chinese water deer which has fangs instead of antlers.

There is a species of lizard (New Mexico whiptail) that is 100% female. They are nicknamed as the "Lesbian Lizards", they still participate in mating rituals in which they mount each other. This stimulates egg production without any gene transfer.

There is a species of bird named Honeyguide which guides humans to beehives, so they can feast on the bee larvae after the human takes the honey.

Aye-ayes can be found only on the island of Madagascar. These rare animals are related to chimpanzees, apes, and humans.

The Indian Pipe plant (Monotropa uniflora) is one of the rare plants which doesn't contain chlorophyll and thus doesn't photosynthesize, getting all its energy from fungi.

There is a species of fish named Sarpa salpa that can be hallucinogenic when eaten. The ancient Romans reportedly consumed it as a recreational drug.