Amazing animals — A look at the weird and wonderful species that live on our planet

Siphonophores are unusual animals made up of individual organisms called "zooids," which each have a distinct function — despite being genetically identical.

All species in the antechinus genus have the same frenzied mating system, where males have sex until they die from organ failure, then the females gobble up their corpses.

An angular roughshark pulled from the water near Elba, an Italian island near Tuscany.

In mythology, giant oarfish are said to foreshadow earthquakes, although evidence shows this is not the case.

Thorny devils have a plethora of defenses against predators, including a fake head and a weird jerky walk.

In just 48 hours, salps can reach maturity, making them the fastest-growing multicellular animals on Earth, with a significant impact on ocean health.

The smallest species of anteater grows to just 14 inches, including its tail — but it packs a hefty punch when threatened.

This slimline, eel-like fish has no scales for protection so chooses to use a sea cucumber's sphincter for safety.

The Pacific geoduck is a clam that lives along the shore from Alaska to Mexico, can reach 9 pounds in weight and can outlive humans.

Sun bears often stand upright like humans, and mothers even walk around cradling their babies in their arms.