Results: Weird and Possibly Cute

Don't let the name fool you. Aardwolves are related neither to wolves nor aardvarks. Rather, their name means 'earth wolf' in Afrikaans, a reference to their voracious appetite for insects. Native to east and southern Africa, aardwolves are most closely related to hyena. Having said that, you're more likely to find them tearing into a termite mound rather than a carcass abandoned by a lion. Aardwolves can eat up to 200,000 termites in a sitting, imbuing them with both protein and moisture, allowing them to live successfully in some of the driest corners of the planet. Have you ever seen an Aardwolf before?

The bilby is a rare, desert-dwelling marsupial from Australia, renowned for its long tail, silky fur and big ears. Also known as a rabbit bandicoot, the bilby has become a symbol of Easter in Australia. They have replaced the Easter Bunny, with proceeds from the sales of chocolate Easter bilbies used to ensure the species' survival. With their strong forelimbs and well-developed claws, bilbies are fearsome burrowers. In fact, a female bilby's pouch faces backwards to prevent it getting filled with dirt while she's digging. Are you familiar with bilbies?

The smallest of all armadillos, and only found on the grasslands and sand plains of Argentina, pink fairy armadillos are unbearably cute. Measuring less than 11cm (4.3 inches) long, with a pink shell and white silky fur, their pocket size makes them sought after pets. Sadly, their natural habitat is being lost to agriculture and cattle ranching. Organizations like Xenarthrans are working hard to ensure the species' survival. Have you ever heard of a pink fairy armadillo?

Native to the Yangtze flood plain and some parts of Korea, the Chinese water deer is more closely related to a musk deer than a true deer. The males have no antlers. Instead, they grow long tusk-like canines, giving the breed the fearful nickname of 'vampire deer.' Not that you are in any danger should you encounter one in the wild. The tusks are largely ornamental and used to root around for food. They're not after your blood. They much prefer to nibble on weeds, grasses and herbs. If you had the chance, would you pet a Chinese water deer?