Did you know that the kangaroo can jump up to nine meters high and cover distances of over thirty meters in a single leap? And that the platypus is one of the few venomous mammals in the world? Or that the giant panda has an incredibly strong grip, allowing it to hold bamboo shoots between its teeth and strip them of leaves with ease? If these facts about animals have left you reeling, just wait until you read about some of the other stranger habits and abilities of different animals! These creatures are truly unique, so sit back, relax, and prepare to have your mind blown by some animals that will make you see the world in a whole new way!
Echidna
The echidna is the only known mammal that lays eggs. It has a furry pouch, similar to that of a kangaroo, on its stomach. Where it carries around the four to six babies wrapped in their pouches for safety and warmth.
Although most of their diet consists of ants, termites, and other bugs, they also eat worms and insect larvae. Nobody really knows how an echidna can tell where they are going. They have very poor eyesight but use their snout to feel the ground in front of them, so they know where to place their feet, so they don’t fall.
Salmon
Salmon who swim upriver to reproduce have the capability to remember where they came from and how to get back. They can even memorize the specific water currents, smells, and temperatures that lead home. In some cases, salmon can jump over waterfalls as high as 12 meters and over dams by migrating into the river above the dam. Then jumping out of the water on the other side.
Unfortunately, salmon who can’t follow a stream due to man-made structures have to wait until the river level drops in winter. At which point they have to go even higher upstream. However, because of this, they have evolved an ability to find their way back home no matter what.
Kangaroo
When a kangaroo jumps, its powerful tail propels it into the air to achieve heights of up to nine meters. In addition, they can both run and hop at speeds up to 64 kilometers per hour. They also have an incredible sense of balance and never lose their footing, even on steep cliffs and rocky terrain.
The kangaroo’s muscular legs allow them to jump with ease, reaching heights of one-and-a-half meters at every hop. Their tail also helps them maintain balance while hopping. The kangaroo’s legs are so powerful that they can hop along at speeds of over 31 miles per hour for several kilometers without stopping to rest!
Giant Panda
Although it is a carnivore, the giant panda prefers to eat bamboo. Actually, it eats almost nothing but bamboo and drinks up to 40 gallons of water every day! The panda’s hands and feet are incredibly flexible. Allowing them to grasp branches as thick as 28 centimeters with virtually no effort at all. Although they do not have many enemies, the giant panda can be quite dangerous when threatened.
It is the only bear with a false thumb to assist it in holding bamboo. This thumb is an elongated wrist bone that helps protect its real fingers from damage as it easily strips the leaves off of bamboo shoots. If you’ve ever wondered how this animal gets its black and white coloring, the answer is simple: it’s an optical illusion! The black comes from fur above its eyes that naturally blocks out light. The white fur makes the panda appear bigger when viewed from a distance to scare away potential predators.