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10 Most Badass Animals

When we think of badass animals, we often think of lions, sharks, and bears. But the animal kingdom is full of creatures that are just as tough and resilient. Even if they don’t get as much attention like a lion or a bear. From the Giant African Land Snail to the Honey Badger. Here are the 10 most badass animals you’ve never heard of.

10 – The Giant African Land Snail

Giant African Land Snail
Giant African Land Snail – By Sonel.SA (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The Giant African Land Snail may not look like a badass animal, but this mollusk is actually one of the toughest creatures on the planet. These snails can grow up to 8 inches long and are known for their ability to survive in almost any environment. They are capable of eating everything from cardboard to stucco, and can even survive being run over by a car.
Despite their tough exterior, Giant African Land Snails are also a major pest in many areas where they have been introduced. They can cause damage to crops and carry diseases that can be harmful to humans.

09 – Vampire Squid

Vampire Squid
Vampire Squid – © Citron / , via Wikimedia Commons

The Vampire Squid may sound like a creature from a horror movie, but this deep-sea dweller is actually a fascinating and unique animal. These squids are found in the deep ocean. Up to 3,000 feet below the surface, and are known for their ability to survive in extreme conditions. They have large eyes that help them see in the dark, and their webbed arms can help them glide through the water with ease.
Despite their name, Vampire Squids are not actually bloodsuckers. Instead, they feed on small particles of organic matter that drift through the water. They are also capable of producing bioluminescent flashes of light, which they use to confuse predators and attract prey.

08 – Sea Cucumber

Sea Cucumber
Sea Cucumber – By Anders Poulsen, Deep Blue (http://www.colours.dk/) [CC BY-SA 3.0 or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The Sea Cucumber may look like a simple, harmless creature, but this echinoderm is actually a powerhouse of regeneration. When threatened, Sea Cucumbers can eject their internal organs as a defense mechanism. These organs can then regenerate within just a few weeks. This ability allows the Sea Cucumber to survive even the most severe injuries.
Sea Cucumbers are also important members of many marine ecosystems, as they help to clean up the ocean floor by consuming detritus and other organic matter.

07 – Cassowary

Cassowary
Cassowary – By Summerdrought (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The Cassowary is a reluctant bird. It shuns contact with humans but don’t make it angry, you wouldn’t like it when it gets angry. Those feet are a lethal weapon, capable of killing a human if they feel threatened.
Indeed, troops stationed in New Guinea were ordered to stay away from the birds lest they cause serious injuries.In 2003, a study found from worldatlas.com, 75% of 221 Cassowary attacks were against humans, predominantly those which hadn’t brought enough food with them when they fed the birds.
There’s a good reason the birds aren’t widely seen in zoos. The Guinness Book of World Records listed them as the world’s most dangerous bird. It is due to the number of injuries inflicted on zookeepers.

06 – Dung Beetle

Dung Beetle
Dung Beetle – By No machine-readable author provided. LiquidGhoul assumed (based on copyright claims). [GFDL, CC-BY-SA-3.0 or CC BY 2.5], via Wikimedia Commons
The Dung Beetle may not be the most glamorous creature on this list, but this little insect is one of the toughest animals around. Dung Beetles can roll balls of animal waste that are up to 50 times their own weight, and they are well-known for this ability.
These beetles play an important role in many ecosystems, as they help to break down animal waste and return nutrients to the soil. Without Dung Beetles, many ecosystems would be overrun with animal waste, which can be harmful to other plants and animals.

05 – Pen-Tailed Tree Shrew

Pen Tailed Tree Shrew
Pen Tailed Tree Shrew – By Shreeram M V (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Not that it looks badass but the way the Pen-tailed Tree Shrew lives is something many humans aspire to. Their only food source is the nectar of the bertam palm plant in their native Malaysia. Still cute and cuddly? Not quite; the nectar is fermented to roughly 3.8%, the strength of weak beer, and that’s it. No leaves or insects; just a pint or two every day. A pint or two? More like the equivalent of half a bottle of brandy. And they never get a hangover

04 – Frilled Shark

Frilled Shark - Badass Animals
Frilled Shark – By OpenCage (http://opencage.info/pics.e/large_13408.asp) [CC BY-SA 2.5], via Wikimedia Commons
The Frilled Shark is a deep-sea dweller that is often referred to as a “living fossil” because it has remained virtually unchanged for millions of years. These sharks have a distinctive frill around their head, which they use to attract prey.
Frilled Sharks, despite their prehistoric appearance, are actually highly adapted to their environment. They can move quickly and gracefully through the water thanks to their long, slender bodies. And additionally, they have jaws filled with rows of razor-sharp teeth.

03 – The Immortal Jellyfish

The Immortal Jellyfish - Badass Animals
The Immortal Jellyfish – By Alexander Vasenin (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The Immortal Jellyfish may sound like something out of a science fiction novel, but this creature is actually real. The waters around Japan are home to these jellyfish, which can regenerate their entire body when they become old or injured.
When an Immortal Jellyfish is threatened or injured, it can transform itself back into a polyp. It is the earliest stage of its life cycle. From there, it can grow into a new jellyfish, essentially starting its life over again.

02 – Hippopotamus

Hippopotamus - Badass Animals
Hippopotamus – By Paul Maritz (Own work) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The Hippopotamus may seem like a gentle giant, but this animal is actually one of the most dangerous in Africa. Hippos are responsible for more human deaths each year than any other large animal on the continent.
These badass animals are incredibly territorial. They will attack anything that they perceive as a threat to their territory or their young. Despite their aggressive nature, however, Hippos are also important members of their ecosystem. They help to shape the landscape and create habitats for other animals.

01 – Honey Badger

Honey Badger - Badass Animals
Honey Badger – By Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE (Honey Badger (Mellivora capensis)) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
The Honey Badger; a name which sounds cute and cuddly. Don’t do that though; they are quite vicious little beggars, aiming for the genitals first.
This an animal which does not care how big you are, how powerful or how poisonous. Big cats, snakes; you name it, they’ll attack it. Even poisonous snakes like cobras and puff adders. With an immunity to snake venom, the Honey Badger treats Hiss & co as prey.
With a frame designed to allow it to escape from the jaws of its prey and a ferocity in their fighting, it’s little wonder the Honey Badger doesn’t have many natural predators. Even the animal kingdom knows to give this mean little weasel a wide berth.

In conclusion, these 10 animals are just a few examples of the many badass creatures that inhabit our planet. They have unique adaptations, incredible survival skills, and impressive physical abilities that make them stand out from the rest. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, an animal lover, or just someone who appreciates the wonders of the natural world, these badass animals are sure to impress and inspire you.