Battle of the Most Bizarre at Sharon Forks and Hampton Park Libraries

When you think of endangered animals, what is the first animal that pops into your mind? It's most likely a panda, a polar bear, or another cute and cuddly animal. But what about the not-so-cute animals like the Wolffish or the Uaraki? 

Throughout April, visitors at the Sharon Forks Library and the Hampton Park Library had the opportunity to vote on their favorite “Most Bizarre” animal. The competition included 8 animals from 4 categories with the Giant Asian Softshell Turtle coming out on top as champion for Sharon Forks and the Red Handfish as Hampton Park’s champion. All of the 8 animals are listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and have a status of Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered. 

Take a look at the competitors below and see which one is your favorite.

Fish

Red Handfish (Thymichthys politus) - Critically Endangered

• Native to Tasmania, Australia
• Arguably one of the rarest marine fish species in the world with an adult population at about 100 in 2019
• They use their human hand-like fins to walk across the seabed rather than swim.
• Conservation Organization: Handfish Conservation Project 

Northern Wolffish (Anarhichas denticulatus) - Endangered

• Native to the North Atlantic Sea
• Can grow up to 7.5 feet long, weigh up to 30-40 pounds, and live up to 20 years
• They do not have a bladder causing them to keep swimming at all times or else they would sink to the bottom!
• Conservation Organization: Ocean Conservancy

Mammals

Aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis) - Endangered

• Native to Madagascar, Africa
• According to local lore, Aye-ayes bring bad luck and death and must be killed on sight which has led to their endangered status.
• They were originally classified as rodents due to their ever growing incisors which is rare in primates.
• Conservation Organization: Lemur Conservation Network 

Bald-headed Uakari (Cacajao calvus) - Vulnerable

• Native to Brazil & Peru
• Its scarlet red face is due to the lack of skin pigments and capillaries that run under the skin on its face.
• They wag their tails when they are excited or nervous, just like dogs!
• Conservation Organization: Wildlife Conservation Society Peru 

Reptiles/Amphibians

Titicaca Water Frog (Telmatobius culeus) - Endangered

• Native to Bolivia & Peru
• It is the largest fully aquatic frog in the world, reaching up to 20 inches long and weighing up to 2 pounds.
• They do “pushups” to allow more water to pass through their folds to increase oxygen absorption.
• Conservation Organization: Bolivian Amphibian Initiative 

Asian Giant Softshell Turtle (Pelochelys cantorii) - Critically Endangered

• Native to Southeast Asia, India, China, and Bangladesh
• They spend most of their lives buried and motionless with only their eyes and mouth above the sand.
• They are the largest freshwater turtle, measuring up to 6 feet long!
• Conservation Organization: Asian Turtle Program 

Birds

Southern Ground-hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) - Vulnerable

• Native to Southern Africa
• This bird can make loud calls that are often mistaken for a lion’s roar.
• They can run up to 18 miles per hour!
• Conservation Organization: Mabula Ground Hornbill Project 

California Condor (Gymnogyps californiaus) - Critically Endangered

• Native to California
• Their bald head keeps them clean while feeding on carrion.
• They are the largest land birds in North America with a wingspan of 9.5 feet.
• Conservation Organization: The Peregrine Fund

Jessica Dillard

Information Specialist - MLIS

Giant Asian Softshell Turtle