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Top 10 Ugly Animals

Monkfish

Welcome to our list of the top 10 Ugly Animals.

Beauty is as subjective as choosing between plain oatmeal and a chocolate-dipped donut for breakfast. Everyone’s got their own quirky taste in what tickles their fancy. We find beauty everywhere, from the radiant sun and lush grass to the majestic trees, fluffy clouds, and the charming chorus of chirping birds and animals.

Now, don’t get me wrong, we adore our pets and most critters in our neck of the woods. But let’s be real, there are some animals that seem to have missed the memo on the whole “beauty” thing. Take the humble lizard, for example. It’s like nature’s way of saying, “Let’s try something… interesting.”

Monkfish most ugly fish

The world is trluly an ineresting place and there is really no shortage of animals that look a bit “wonky”/ So you can check out our other articles on animals such as the Top 10 Ugly Fish in the world, and the Top 10 Ugly dogs!

Let’s get to know these ugly animals one by one:

Key Points

AnimalScientific NameHabitatSize and WeightLifespanUnique Features
Purple FrogNasikabatrachus sahyadrensisForests and lakes in western India7 cm, 165 g1 yearRare purple color, small head, pointed snout, horizontal pupils, body resembles a balloon filled with gas.
Naked Mole RatHeterocephalus glaberSemi-desert regions in East Africa13 cm, 35 g30 yearsHairless, wrinkly skin, thin legs, tiny eyes, protruding front teeth, doesn’t feel pain, doesn’t get cancer.
MonkfishLophiusNorthwest Atlantic Ocean4.5 ft, 50 lb13 yearsFrog-like appearance, flat, large head, small eyes, gaping mouth with inward-pointing sharp teeth, body smaller than head, spines for camouflage.
Proboscis MonkeyNasalis larvatusBorneo Jungle70 cm, 22 kg20 yearsElongated nose (more prominent in males), long tail, primarily found in riverine forests and mangroves.
Sphynx CatFelis catusCanada origin50 cm, 6-12 lb8-14 yearsHairless, requires regular grooming, warm and friendly temperament, created through selective breeding.
HyenaHyaenidaeAfrican Savanna37-59 inches, 90-170 lb25 yearsUnusual bark, distinct eyes, patchy skin, intimidating appearance, cunning hunters with strong social structures.
BlobfishPsychrolutes marcidusSouthwest Pacific, Deepsea30 cm, 20 lb130 yearsGelatinous, slimy appearance with two eyes and a big nose, lives in deep-sea environments with high pressure.
Aye-AyeDaubentonia madagascariensisMadagascar East Coast0.7-1 m, 2-2.7 kg21-23 yearsSquirrel-like primate, distinctive eyes, long bony fingers (especially the third finger), solitary and arboreal lifestyle.
Giant SalamandersCryptobranchidaeLakes in AsiaUp to 6 ft, 5-6 kg30 yearsNo eyelids, loose skin, slimy mucus-covered body, poor eyesight, regenerative abilities, can go weeks without eating.
PufferfishTetraodontidaeTropical and Subtropical OceansUp to 2 ft, 30 lb10 yearsRounded head, tapered body, large stomach, prominent lips, spines all over, highly poisonous with no known antidote, considered a delicacy in Japan (fugu).

#1 Purple Frog

Purple frog - top 10 ugly animals
Purple frog. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_frog
  • Scientific Name: Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis
  • Locations and Main Habitat: Forest and lakes in western India
  • Average Size and Weight: 7 centimeters and 165 grams
  • Average Lifespan: 1 year
  • Natural Predatorsdeforestation and consumption of locals

Guess – who is the odd one out of the amphibians – yes! It’s a purple frog. This one is purple in a world where frogs are green and brown. Hence, it looks hideous from the rest of the frogs. Amphibians are generally considered annoying due to their slimy skin and odd looks. However, this one takes the lead as it is rare in color and has a small head.

The purple frog also has an unusually pointed snout with smaller eyes. To top it all off, the purple frog has horizontal pupils in those tiny eyes, and its body looks like a balloon filled with gas.  

It looks like he also realizes his ugly face because it spends most of its life hiding in underground burrows. It stays clung to rocks and boulders submerged in water. The purple frog lives its life by eating termites, worms, and ants.

You must be wondering why purple frogs are not a common site because they come out of their hiding only for the mating season, which lasts around two weeks.

It is primarily found in India. Due to its elongated snout, the purple frog is known by different names, like a pig-nosed frog or nose frog.

#2 Naked Mole Rat

Naked Mole Rat

Scientific Name: Heterocephalus glaber
Locations and Main Habitat: semi-desert, East Africa
Average Size and Weight: 13 centimeters and 35 grams
Average Lifespan: 30 year
Natural Predators: Birds of prey; Snake

Some of us do not even like regular rats due to multiple reasons. Rats are unhygienic, fussy, and ugly. They are also not very friendly in general. If you can’t stand common rats, wait for a specie known as naked mole-rat. They are even more disgusting than common house rats. However, naked mole rats are not commonly found in households or populated areas as they are found in woods and deserted places.

Any hairless animal is somewhat ugly, but naked mole rats are revolting. A naked mole rat is seen as ugly and not protected from heat and cold due to the lack of hair on its body.

The naked mole rat is unique not only because of its look but also because it does not feel pain. Moreover, a naked mole rat does not get cancer.

A naked mole rat has yellowish skin, which sometimes appears pinkish. Its skin is also wrinkly, adding to its horror. Everything in its appearance is bound to make you cringe as it has thin legs, and tiny eyes, and the front teeth protrude more than any other type of rat.

A naked mole rat probably realizes it is ugly, so it spends its days living in a burrow underground in groups led by a queen. Groups of naked mole rats support each other and always work together to keep supporting the group.

#3 Monkfish

Monkfish - top 10 ugly animals

Scientific Name: Lophius
Locations and Main Habitat: Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Average Size and Weight: 4,5 feet and 50 pounds
Average Lifespan: 13 year
Natural Predators: bigger fish, sharks

We have another water creature on our list of ugly animals, “the sea devil” itself. We are talking about the monkfish. Monkfish is the “naked mole rate” of water animals.

It is known for its tasty meat among many, but at the same time, it is not a pleasant-looking sea animal. Moreover, the tail of monkfish is served for a meal only because it is disgusting.

It is known by many names like the sea devil or the frogfish due to its frog-like appearance and unusually repulsive face. Regarding appearance, the monkfish has a flat, large head and eyes too small for its head. This fish’s gaping mouth and sharp teeth that point inward add to its appearance. The body is usually smaller than the head of the sea devil.

It has a large thin horn on its head known as the esca and has little spines all over its head. These help it hide in the sea as the spines look like algae or seaweed.

The slimy body of monkfish is also a point in its unusually hideous appearance. However, all of this adds to its surviving abilities because it can hide under the water without having much difficulty.

#4 Proboscis Monkey

proboscis monkey - top 10 ugly animals

Scientific Name: Nasalis larvatus
Locations and Main Habitat: Borneo Jungle
Average Size and Weight: 70 cm and 22 kg
Average Lifespan: 20 years
Natural Predators: Crocodile, Leopard

After telling you about sea creatures and rats, let’s talk about a lesser-known creature of earth, “probosci’s monkeys”. If you ask us, we are pretty fond of monkeys and find them exciting and enjoyable creatures to watch. However, this type of monkey is not like the usual ones and is not very pleasing to look at.

The probosci’s monkey is also known as the old-world monkey. They are known with names like a long-nosed monkey, orang belanda, monyet belanda (dutch monkey or Dutchman), and nasalis larvatus (scientific name). They are primarily found in riverine forests, mangroves, and swamps in Indonesia and the Southeast Asian island of Borneo. It mostly stays in lowland habitats near water.

Proboscis means long noses found in animals, and they are given this name due to their elongated nose. The male monkeys have an even longer nose than female ones, so it hangs past their mouth.

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They got their name based on the Dutch colonizers of Indonesia, who used to have big bellies and large noses. They have long tails, and their length in total is around 21 to 30 inches.

The Proboscis monkey’s diet mainly consists of flowers, fruits, seeds, leaves, bark, and insects. Therefore, they are declared endangered species. Their lifespan is up to 25 years and they deserve their place in this list of the top 10 ugliest animals in the world.

#5 Sphynx Cat

sphynx cat - - top 10 ugly animals

Scientific Name: Felis catus
Locations and Main Habitat: Canada origin
Average Size and Weight: 50 cm and 6 to 12 pounds
Average Lifespan: 8 – 14 years
Natural Predators: Cars, Other Cats

Who does not love a cute kitty? Almost every one of us is a cat lover. Their cute paws and adorable nose are just too appealing to ignore. It is nearly impossible to think if there is a cat that looks ugly. However, a type of cat in this world is not so pleasant to look at.

It has all the qualities of a cat, a cute nose, and small paws, but it still does not make you go “aww.” We are talking about a ‘sphynx cat,’ which also falls in the category of naked mole-rat.

Like the naked mole-rat, the sphynx cat is also hairless, making it unique and weird. These hairless cats were created by breeding selective hairless cats that existed due to naturally occurring genetic mutations in cats.

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Sphynx cats are considered friendly (some would disagree) and therapeutic because they are warm. They can be kept as a pet if you like something hairless. However, they require regular grooming, which makes these cats high maintenance.

If you ask us, we are fur fans and like cats with longer fur. This is why this weird animal is on our list of the top 10 ugliest animals in the world.

#6 Hyena

Hyena

Scientific Name: Hyaenidae
Locations and Main Habitat: Africa Savanna
Average Size and Weight: 37 to 59 inches and 90 to 170 pounds
Average Lifespan: 25 years
Natural Predators: Lion, Leopard

Another wildlife creature on our list of the top 10 ugliest animals is the hyena. They are undoubtedly swift predators who devour their prey. They are also known as the “jokers” of the African savannah. Hyenas are not good-looking animals and are often considered ugly. They are carnivores and are known to be brutal to their prey.

Their unusual bark and distinct eyes add a certain creepiness to their appearance. In addition, they have patchy skin and a very intimidating aura. Another interesting fact about hyenas is that even the king of the Jungle does not want to hunt hyenas.

One of the reasons lions are not hunting hyenas is that they are not a good diet for them, as hyenas are also hunters. Moreover, hyenas are also predators, and it is not easy for lions to hunt hyenas.

Many predators in the animal kingdom do not like to eat leftovers of other predators, unlike hyenas. Therefore, they not only hunt their prey but can also dine on the leftovers of other predators. There are different species of hyenas, and all of them are known to be cunning hunters.

However, they are considered intelligent animals, and hyena mothers are known to be very caring and protective of their cubs. Females mostly lead hyena clans.

#7 Blobfish

Blobfish - top 10 ugly animals

Scientific Name: Psychrolutes marcidus
Locations and Main Habitat: Southwest Pacific, Deepsea
Average Size and Weight: 30cms (12 inches), 20 pounds (9 kg)
Average Lifespan: 130 years
Natural Predators: None

Yes, we are back with another sea creature known as Blobfish. This sea creature has no muscles in it and looks like a piece of a slimy mess. The name suits its appearance as it is a lump of gelatin.

Slimy appearance is always weird, and Blobfish is no exception, as it is hard to look at them and not feel revolted. Imagine a ball of slime with two eyes and a big nose, and you look like a Blobfish.

Blobfish is not very picky when it comes to food; it just swallows liquid in front of it by simply opening its mouth. Absolutely no effort is needed for a Blobfish to have its dinner. It can grow to about 12 inches long. Think about the laziest fish in the sea, and you will only have Blobfish’s name in your mind.

Blobfish are not edible. It lives in the deep places of saltwater bodies like oceans and seas. Swimming in the depths of oceans is more challenging, and Blobfish do it just like we float in water using a lifesaver.

Pressure in the depths of the oceans is high, and swimming becomes more arduous, which is why a Blobfish has less density than water. Its appearance helps it float even in the ocean’s depths without much energy.

The blobfish is undoubtedly a member of the top 10 ugliest animals in the world

#8 Aye-Aye

Aye aye - top 10 ugly animals

Scientific Name: Daubentonia madagascariensis
Locations and Main Habitat: Madagascar East Cost
Average Size and Weight: 2.5 – 3.3 ft (0.7 – 1 m), 4lbs – 6lbs (2kg – 2.7kg)
Average Lifespan: 21 -23 years
Natural Predators: Birds of pray, Snakes

Meet another member of the top 10 ugliest animals in the world. No one completely knows where they got their unique name, but aye-ayes certainly got everyone’s attention. Some people think it is named after a French naturalist who showed a sign of exclamation after seeing them.

Others think they are given a name in the local language meaning “don’t know .”Whatever the case is, the aye-aye has made it o our list.

Some people even find them cute and think they are “aww-worthy” creatures, but we beg to differ. They are squirrel-like primates from Madagascar. They belong to the same family as apes and monkeys. Aye-ayes are also the most significant living nocturnal primates. Most primates are known to be active during the day and not nocturnal, unlike aye-ayes.

They mostly live in the rainforests of Madagascar, but their history can be traced back to Egypt and Kenya. Their eyes are distinct features of their face that add to their horror.

Aye-ayes are not considered very social and spend most of their life solitary and arboreal. Apart from their eyes, another feature unique to aye-ayes is their long bony fingers, especially the unusually long third finger.

When fully grown, they are around a foot long with their bushy tail, which is around 2 feet long. No distinct features differentiate males from females except that males are slightly heavier in weight than females.

#9 Giant Salamanders

Giant salamander

Scientific Name: Cryptobranchidae
Locations and Main Habitat: Lakes, Asia
Average Size and Weight: 60-70 cm, 5-6 kg
Average Lifespan: 30 years
Natural Predators: Hog badgers, Red foxes, Weasels

So we are back to amphibians. If you ask us, we believe all amphibians have certain repulsing qualities, like frogs, toads, and salamanders. Their slimy body is what makes them not-so-pleasing to look at. Next, we will talk about giant salamanders, which can grow to around 6 feet (around 1.8 meters). These are found in rivers and also on land.

Giant salamanders have no eyelids adding to their spectacle with broad bodies and large heads. These have loose skin at the sides of the face. As salamanders are amphibians, they breathe through their skin. Their skin is covered in mucus.

This slimy material helps the giant salamanders keep the parasites away while on land and helps them breathe in water.

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Chinese giant salamanders have the longest life span among all amphibians. When it feels in danger, the Japanese giant salamander produces a secretion that smells like Japanese pepper. All salamanders produce the secretion to keep the predators away from them, which works effectively except for humans.

Salamanders are usually carnivorous and eat different animals like crayfish, snails, small mammals, insects, and fish. They have a slower metabolism and are known to go without eating, even for weeks. Salamanders are also known to have poor eyesight, so they rely on vibrations in the water to hunt their prey.

They have incredible regenerative capabilities, and they can re-grow skin and bone.

#10 Pufferfish

Pufferfish - top 10 ugly animals

Scientific Name: Tetraodontidae
Locations and Main Habitat: Tropical and Subtropical Oceans
Average Size and Weight: 2 feet, 30 pounds
Average Lifespan: 10 years
Natural Predators: Sharks, Bigger Fish

Yet another member of the top 10 ugly animals in the world and we are back to sea creatures, and the next animal on our list of ugly animals is another fish. These have usually rounded heads, tapered bodies, large stomachs, and prominent lips.

Pufferfish do not have scale on the skin but have spines all over. Like Blobfish, they are also considered lazy as they swim slower, but unlike Blobfish, they can pick up speed when required. Pufferfish can also swim backward also and change directions easily.

Pufferfish belongs to the family of Tetraodontidae, and it has 120 species in 19 different genera. It is mainly found in tropical waters all across the world.

Pufferfish are found in both saltwater as well as freshwater bodies. It is found in the Red Sea and the Pacific Ocean, along with the Amazon, Mekong Rivers, and estuaries of freshwater bodies. Pufferfish are usually small, but the largest can grow about 90 centimeters (around 3 feet) long.

All pufferfish produce a substance known as tetrodotoxin, making them foul-tasting and mostly lethal to other fish who wish to eat them. Moreover, it is also highly poisonous to humans as it is 1200 times more poisonous than cyanide. Pufferfish are so deadly that one pufferfish can kill 30 human adults, and there is no known antidote.

However, the Japanese have found a way to cook puffers where they cleaned these carefully by a trained chef and cook to eat. Only highly trained and licensed chefs are allowed to cook puffers. Still, many deaths occur annually. They are considered a sophisticated food in Japan known as fugu.

Summary of the top 10 Ugly Animals

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These are selected from only some of the animals known to humankind. The selection was relatively subjective as beauty is a subjective concept.

So, in your opinion, which animals are the ugliest, do let us know. Take a quick look at this post for fascinating fastest animals, or the most endangerd animals before you leave.

Thank you for reading about Ugly Animals.

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