There are so many amazing animals in the world that it can be hard to choose just one as the absolute coolest. Different people may have different opinions on which animal is the coolest based on their own interests and preferences. Some may think large, powerful predators like lions or bears are the coolest. Others may prefer cute and cuddly animals like pandas or koalas. For aquatic life lovers, sharks and whales likely top the coolness list. Of course, exotic and unusual animals like the platypus or kangaroo rank high for the novelty factor. When considering which animal is one of the coolest, it helps to define what criteria make an animal cool – rarity, appearance, abilities, habitat, and more. Evaluating animals across these types of categories can assist in narrowing down the selection to identify truly exceptional, fascinating, and “cool” creatures.
Rarity
One factor that contributes to an animal’s coolness is how rare or unusual they are. The more scarce a species is, the more intriguing and exotic it seems. Some examples of extremely rare animals include:
Kakapo
The kakapo is a critically endangered parrot native to New Zealand. As the world’s only flightless parrot species, the kakapo has a unique and distinctive appearance and set of behaviors. Estimates indicate there are only about 200 kakapo remaining, making them one of the rarest birds on Earth. Their rarity adds to their coolness factor.
Axolotl
The axolotl is a Mexican salamander known for its ability to regenerate limbs and other body parts. They were once abundant in the lakes around Mexico City but are now critically endangered. Axolotls are considered a rare, cool animal due to their strange appearance and traits as well as their dwindling numbers. There are likely less than 1,000 axolotls in the wild today.
Pangolin
Pangolins are incredible looking creatures covered in hard, plate-like scales. These unusual mammals from Asia and Africa are sadly under threat due to poaching and habitat loss. As the most trafficked mammal in the world, all eight pangolin species are now endangered or critically endangered. Their precarious situation adds to the pangolin’s uniqueness.
Appearance
An animal’s rarity often influences its coolness, but so does its physical appearance. Animals with distinctive looks, features, colors, or behaviors can be considered cool for simply looking so amazing. Some of the coolest looking animals include:
Mandarinfish
This tiny fish measures only about 2 inches long but is bursting with color. Mandarinfish are covered in bright blue, orange, green, and yellow stripes. Their brilliant colors and patterns are unlike any other marine creature. Native to the Pacific Ocean, these tiny fish clearly stand out for their vivid appearance.
Peacock Spider
The males of these tiny spiders are truly stunning. Peacock spiders are very small, measuring 3-6mm long, but are adorned with vivid, iridescent patterns of fuchsia, blue, gold, and more. The colors shimmer and change as the spiders move. Peacock spiders are found in Australia and mesmerize with their miniature beauty.
Mandrill
This primate species native to Africa sports a rainbow-colored face and rear end. Male mandrills have bright blue and red skin on their face as well as a red nose and striking red, white, blue, and purple markings on their backside. Their wild appearance makes them a contender for coolest looking animal.
Abilities
Aside from appearance, an animal’s special skills and abilities can also make them seem extremely cool. Species with unique adaptations for survival or incredible feats of strength, speed, or intelligence are fascinating. Here are some of the coolest animal abilities:
Echolocation in Bats
A bat’s ability to navigate and hunt in complete darkness through emitting sound waves is an astounding feat. They use specialized hearing and vocal abilities to “see” with sounds in a complex process called echolocation. This cool ability allows bats to thrive at night.
Bioluminescence in Deep Sea Creatures
Many marine animals living at extreme depths produce their own light through bioluminescence. This enables them to attract prey, communicate, and see in the eternally dark ocean. Cool luminous creatures include jellyfish, seaworms, shrimp, and more. Their ability to glow sets them apart.
Water to Land Transition in Mudskippers
Mudskippers are tropical fish capable of moving on land for extended periods. They use their sturdy fins to walk and even climb trees. Mudskippers can breathe through their skin while out of water. Their adaptability between aquatic and terrestrial habitats is exceptional.
Extreme Habitats
The environments that certain species can live in also add to their cool factor by showcasing their resilience. Animals that thrive in the harshest habitats on the planet have to be truly remarkable to survive and evolve. Some of the coolest extreme animal habitats include:
Emperor Penguins
Emperor penguins are the only animals that breed during the brutal Antarctic winter. Adult emperors withstand temperatures down to -60°F and hurricane-force winds while protecting their eggs and raising new chicks. Their existence in the harshest place on Earth is testament to their coolness.
Tardigrades
Tardigrades, also called water bears or moss piglets, are microscopic animals that can survive extremes that would kill most other forms of life. They can live through boiling and freezing temperatures, radiation, extreme dehydration, and even the vacuum of space. Tardigrade superpowers make them cool.
Tube Worms by Hydrothermal Vents
Tube worms live in total darkness by deep sea hydrothermal vents where hot toxic fluids burst from the ocean floor. Water temperatures by the vents can reach 750°F. In spite of the intense heat and noxious compounds, tube worms thrive thanks to special bacteria living inside them. Only the coolest animals could evolve to occupy such a hostile environment.
Sociability
Certain animal species also earn cool points for their interesting and endearing social behaviors. Animals that live in tight-knit groups and exhibit bonding, cooperation, and communication are fascinating to observe. Some highly sociable animals include:
Wolves
Wolves are the epitome of teamwork. Wolves live, hunt, travel, and raise pups together as a close pack. Each wolf has a role in the hierarchy. Their organization and family bonds are what make wolves so cool and successful as apex predators.
Elephants
Elephants form deep familial ties and social networks. Family units support and protect each other while mourning lost members. Elephants even recognize and respond to the calls of specific individuals. They greet each other affectionately and communally care for young. Such social complexity makes elephants exceptionally cool.
Prairie Dogs
Prairie dog towns display one of the most complex animal societies. These highly social rodents live in vast underground burrow networks that can span hundreds of acres and house hundreds of prairie dogs. They communicate constantly with various barks and chirps to warn each other about predators while efficiently sharing living space.
Intelligence and Cognition
Advanced intelligence and mental capabilities also contribute to an animal’s coolness. Species with high cognitive function, reasoning, and problem-solving are fascinating for their smarts. Some of the coolest thinking animals include:
Chimpanzees
Chimps share 98% of our DNA and have very similar brain structure to humans. They are incredibly intelligent as demonstrated through their tool use, memory, social strategies, and language abilities. Chimps can learn sign language and symbols to communicate with humans. Their human-like intelligence is what makes chimps so cool.
Crows
Crows display substantial mental capabilities. They utilize tools, solve puzzles, hold grudges, pass knowledge between generations, and more. Their large brains relative to body size and sophisticated cognition enable complex behaviors. High avian intelligence makes crows truly cool birds.
Octopuses
Octopuses stand out for their exceptional brains. They are capable of learning, show creativity in problem solving, and can navigate through mazes and obtain food from complicated puzzles. Octopuses also use tools, mimic their surroundings, and demonstrate personality. Such advanced cognitive abilities make these invertebrates extra cool.
Conclusion
In the end, there are many different stand-out traits like rarity, appearance, abilities, habitat, sociability, and intelligence that contribute to making an animal exceptionally cool. The kakapo earns points for its critically endangered status. Mandarinfish and peacock spiders take the prize for their vivid colors and patterns. Echolocation gives bats the cool factor just as bioluminescence makes deep sea creatures fascinating. Emperor penguins merit applause for surviving the most extreme cold. Highly social elephants, wolves, and prairie dogs are wonderful to watch interact. Meanwhile, chimps, crows, and octopuses impress with their uncanny smarts. While there are so many amazing animals to choose from, creatures that are rare finds, look stunning, can do incredible things, live in harsh places, interact socially, or think intelligently have that undeniable extra cool edge that makes them truly special.
