11 Jaw-Droppingly Weird Animals That Are Too Alien To Be Earthly

The Lowland Streaked Tenrec, The Talking Hedgehog-Like Creature

The lowland streaked tenrec is one of 37 species of tenrec known to exist in the world. It is also one of 10 species only found in Madagascar.Frank Vassen/Flickr Scientists posit that these weird animals evolved from a small mammal that landed on the island 29 million years ago. That animal later evolved into various species, among them elephants, manatees, and the lowland streaked tenrec. Alan Harper/Flickr The lowland streaked tenrec is known by its scientific name Hemicentetes semispinosus. It has a small, elongated snout and its body is covered in quills, making it look like a weird hybrid between a shrew and a hedgehog.Bernard Dupont/Flickr A lowland streaked tenrec exploring the forest grounds. Frank Vassen/Flickr Lowland streaked tenrecs inhabit the forests of Madagascar, which receive a downpour of rain outside of the winter months. The rainy season is a feast for this weird animal since it draws out earthworms from the ground. Frank Vassen/Flickr A baby lowland streaked tenrec. masoalaforestlodge/Instagram Their colorful mixed coat of black and yellow made up of prickly little spikes. frank_wildlife/Instagram Believe it or not, lowland streaked tenrecs are communicative animals. Alan Harper/Flickr According to one study, their unique defense mechanism may have been a biological trade-off of having a smaller brain. Alan Harper/Flickr Lowland streaked tenrecs rub the spikey quills on their back to create subtle vibrations. This is how they communicate with each other. Robin Agarwal/Flickr Check out the lowland streaked tenrec. View Gallery

Roughly 29 million years ago, a small mammal landed in what is present-day Madagascar. Scientists know little about this prehistoric creature, but they know that the animal successfully adapted to the southern East African climate and flourished.

Later, this small mammal would go on to evolve into a variety of different animals, among them elephants, aardvarks, manatees, and tenrecs. There are about 37 identified species of tenrec, 10 of which are only found in Madagascar. Among them is the peculiar lowland streaked tenrec.

The lowland streaked tenrec, otherwise known as Hemicentetes semispinosus, is among the strangest creatures you'll ever set your sights on. It looks like a cross between a shrew and a hedgehog with a long, small snout and spikes covering its entire body. Their coloring is yellow with streaks of black, which likely inspired the "streaked" in its nickname.

Lowland streaked tenrecs inhabit the ground plains around the forests of Madagascar, which receive a frequent downpour of rain outside of the winter months. This period is especially important for the lowland streaked tenrec, as they prey on earthworms that sprout out of the wet soil during the rainy season, allowing them to bulk up before the dry winter season when food becomes scarce.

Their colorful mixed coat is made up of prickly little spikes. The spikes form a protective coat over the small animal's body, but they also have another unexpected use.

Lowland streaked tenrecs are communicative animals. They "speak" to each other through subtle vibrations that they pick up by rubbing their spikes together. This mode of communication is especially important when a mother wants to alert her offspring to imminent danger.

However, this sophisticated weaponry and communication method may have come at a cost.

Not all tenrecs developed sharp quills on their backs. A 2019 study concluded that the lowland streaked tenrecs, which are among the species of tenrec that have evolved to have spikes, may have traded a larger brain size for this defense mechanism.

The study is not yet definitive, but it is consistent with earlier studies of other mammals that have developed natural defense mechanisms on their bodies at the expense of larger brain size. Prior research has suggested that the evolution of physical defensive abilities may be correlated with a loss in brain mass.

Whether this proves to be true or not, one thing is certain: the lowland streaked tenrec's one-of-a-kind characteristics make it one of the weirdest animals in the world.

Now that you've seen 11 of the weirdest animals in the world, take a look at these strange-but-real animals featured in 'Animal Crossing.' Then, feast your eyes on some of the ugliest animals on Earth.

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