We all love animals whether they are cute, strange, or even rare. All the animals on our list are not only rare but also endangered. This is because their population is low due to habitat loss, hunting, or accidental death caused by a lot of factors including human activities. While successful efforts have been made by conservationists to bred some of these animals, others may not be so lucky and might be on the brink of complete extinction. Below is a list of some of the rarest animals all over the world.
Contents
Amur Leopard
The first animal on our list of the rarest animal all over the world is an Amur leopard. There are about seventy mature Amur leopards left in the world, making these animals some of the rarest, most endangered big cats on this planet. The Amur leopard is also one of the most beautiful cats with a unique patterned coat of black splodges and flecks that make it easily distinguishable from other leopards. If you are lucky, you might spot this endangered cat in the Primorsky Krai region of Russia or in north-east China, within the Jilin Province.
Sumatran Rhino
Another rare animal rare animal on our list is the Sumatran rhino. The Sumatran rhino is also one of the most threatened rhino species on this planet. It is the smallest rhino there is plus there are only a handful left in Sumatra, Borneo and the Malay Peninsula. Only less than 100 Sumatran rhinos are left but they have proven to be resilient animals. The Sumatran rhino is also linked to the extinct woolly rhinoceros than any other rhino species that exists today.
Hainan Gibbon
The Hainan Gibon is another beautiful and rare animal which has become a victim of hunting and habitat loss, and also resulted in its ever-dwindling numbers. There are now only 25 Hainan Gibbons left and that makes them the rarest ape in the world. Also, there are only a few places you can spot one which is in Bawangling National Nature Reserve in China, Hainan Island. China is home to the last surviving population, which is restricted to a single spot within the forest.
Gorilla
Although the population of mountain gorillas has increased over the past few years thanks to conservation efforts spotting a gorilla in the wild is still a very rare occurrence. This is largely due to the location of gorillas and the cost involved in getting to them. A few of the most intrepid of travellers go to the Democratic Republic of Congo, while those that are security conscious will embark on a trek in Rwanda or Uganda, where the permits cost over US$500 for about an hour. The largest of the great apes share over 98% of their genetic code with humans, and spotting these primates in the wild is an incredibly thrilling experience.
Black-Eyed Leaf Frog
The black-eyed leaf frog is also one of the rarest animals in the world. It has bulging inky pupils and lime-green skin. It is rare to catch a glimpse of this frog. The black eyed leaf frog is critically endangered but it can be spotted in the wetlands of Belize, Brazil, El Salvador, Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala. If you do want to catch a glimpse of this frog make sure that you are looking carefully because this tiny amphibian is less than 65mm long.
Cuban Greater Funnel-Eared Bat
The Cuban greater funnel eared bat is only left with a population of 100 mature ones. The tan-furred bats have large ears and a tail as long as their body and head together. The Cuban bats live in one cave in Cueva de la Barca, on Cuba’s westernmost tip, and their population has been negatively affected by habitat loss as a result of the natural degradation of the cave. There are 10 other species of funnel-eared bats, including Mexican, Trinidadian and Bahamian varieties but spotting the Cuban one has become rare.
Spoon-Billed Sandpiper
Also threatened by extinction, there are fewer than a 100 spoon-billed sandpiper pairs left in the world. The spoon billed sandpiper is second only in style to its pretty plumage, which is just as attractive and distinctive in winter as it is during the summer. This small wader is one of the favourites amongst twitchers and birders that explore the wetlands of South Asia, and conservationists are doing all they can to preserve this beautiful animal.
Vaquita
The vaquita is also on our list of the rarest marine mammals and is endemic to Mexico’s Gulf of California. This miniature porpoise was first discovered in the late fifties, and its population has been decreasing over the years due to the use of fishing nets and illegal operations. The vaquita frequents the shallows but it is a shy creature, so you will be very lucky to spot one unless you are a patient and still person.
Greater Bamboo Lemur
Also a rare animal to spot is the bamboo lemur with its last population in south-eastern Madagascar. The greater bamboo lemur is the largest of the bamboo lemurs, which is k own by its tufts of white coming from its ears. Scientists once believed that this critically-endangered primate was extinct until a population was discovered in the late eighties. Only about 500 of these social creatures remain in the world, living in groups of up to 28 only.
Saola
Of all the rare animals mentioned on this list, none are as mysterious as the Saola. The Saola has been aptly called the Asian Unicorn. Very little is known about it and there is no real data or any information on the rare animal’s current population. Because the Saola has only been spotted in the wild a handful of times since its remains were first discovered in 1992, the population is estimated to vary from as little as 25 individuals to as many as 750. However, researchers believe that this rare animal’s population is much lower, and most likely less than 250.