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Article created by: Gabija Palšytė

In all the time we humans have been discovering and describing the world around us, we've only just scratched the surface. In fact, scientists have estimated that there are about 8.7 million species of plants and animals in existence, however, only around 1.2 million of them have been identified and described so far (most of which are insects). This means that millions of other organisms remain a complete mystery.

But of course, even such a "small" number is too big for us regular folk to keep up with. And the subreddit 'Awwducational' is a great example of that. Its 4.9 million members keep sharing lesser-known facts about the animal kingdom, and even though the online community was founded all the way back in 2012, it doesn't seem to be running out of cute and educational titbits to surprise everyone with.

So even though we at Bored Panda have already written about 'Awwducational' here and here, we decided to compile the best posts that have since gone viral within the sub since our last publication. They're just too good to pass up!

#1

Here's Twinzy, A Half-Sider Budgie, Half-Siders Are Budgies With A Condition Called "Chimerism" Which, In Genetics, Means That It's The Result Of Non-Identical Twins Fusing Together Early In Their Development To Become One!

Budgerigar with unique blue and green feathers showcasing a lesser-known fact about animals that made people say aww.

Boules_De_Plumes , wikipedia.org Report

Robert Chase
Community Member
3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But does he say f k u you know he wants to you silly humans

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    #2

    The Australian Western Pygmy Possum Is Actually One Of The Largest Pygmy Possums In The World Despite Being No Larger Than A Typical Kiwi Fruit

    Tiny animal with big eyes clinging to a human thumb, showing a lesser-known cute fact about animals outdoors.

    StcStasi , australiangeographic.com Report

    #3

    The Olinguito (Bassaricyon Neblina) Made Global Headlines When Scientists Announced Its Discovery In 2013, A Notable Event As This Was The First Carnivore Described In The Western Hemisphere Since The 1970s. It Is Native To The Forests Of Colombia And Ecuador. This Is A Photo Of A Baby Olinguito

    Close-up of a lesser-known animal with big eyes and claws, showcasing a cute and lesser-known fact about animals.

    Sayara2022 , news.mongabay.com Report

    #4

    The Indian Giant Squirrel Can Grow To A Full Length Of Over A Metre

    Malabar giant squirrel perched on tree branch, showcasing lesser-known facts about animals in natural green habitat.

    HungryZenco , wikipedia.org Report

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    #5

    Black-Footed Ferrets Are Among The Most Endangered And Rarest Mammals Native To North America. In Fact, The Species Was Declared Extinct In 1979, However, In 1981 A Residual Wild Population Was Discovered In Wyoming. This Ferret, Born In 2020, Was The First Ever U.S. Endangered Animal To Be Cloned

    Cute ferret peeking out and lying down, showcasing lesser-known facts about animals that made people say aww.

    KimCureAll , wikipedia.org Report

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    #6

    Gray Wolves Eating Blueberries; Wolves Actually Covet Berries And Other Fruits, During Their Growing Seasons Berries Can Make Up 80% Of Wolf Packs' Diet

    Wolf sniffing green plants in a lush forest, showcasing lesser-known facts about animals that surprise and delight viewers.

    EmptySpaceForAHeart , voyageurswolfproject.org Report

    #7

    This Is A Baby Giraffe, Giraffes Are The Tallest Mammals On The Planet. Baby Giraffes Usually Will Be Able To Stand And Walk Within 5 Hours Of Being Born. They Stand Most Of Their Life And Need Very Little Sleep. Plus They Have The Most Adorable Babies

    Baby giraffe lying on straw bedding inside an enclosure, showcasing a lesser-known fact about animals that made people say aww

    Airwingmarine11 , wikipedia Report

    #8

    The Appaloosa Is An American Horse Breed Known For Its Distinctive And Colorful Leopard Complex-Spotted Coat. Each Horse's Color Pattern Is Genetically The Result Of Various Overlay Patterns On One Of Several Recognized Base Coat Colors. This Particular Appaloosa Is Sporting A Peacock-Leopard Coat

    Horse with rare spotted coat pattern standing next to another horse in an outdoor stable area, unique animal fact.

    SingaporeCrabby , wikipedia.org Report

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    #9

    While Donkeys May Have A Notorious Reputation For Being Stubborn, They Are Actually Quite Fearless Dealing With Predators As Well As Intelligent, Playful And Curious

    Donkey playing with a blue ball outdoors in a fenced area, showcasing playful animal behavior and charm.

    When this donkey in Arkansas received presents a few days ago, his owner reported he "always gets so excited when he gets a new one"

    KimCureAll , hedonkeysanctuary Report

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    #10

    Costasiella Kuroshimae (Leaf Sheep) Are Capable Of A Chemical Process Called Kleptoplasty, In Which They Retain The Chloroplasts From The Algae They Feed On. Absorbing The Chloroplasts From Algae Then Enables Them To Indirectly Perform Photosynthesis

    Tiny green sea slug with leaf-like appendages resting on a green surface showcasing lesser-known animal facts.

    RainD1 , gfycat Report

    #11

    New Study Reveals That Bumblebees Will Roll Wooden Balls For Seemingly No Other Reason Than Fun, Becoming The First Insect Known To 'Play'

    Close-up of a bee with a tracking tag resting on colorful purple and yellow round beads in a detailed animal facts image.

    LordGhoul , scientificamerican.com Report

    #12

    This Is An African Black Footed Cat. Despite Its Adorable Looks, It’s A Killing Machine. It’s Hunting Success Rate Is 60%, Compare That To A Lion’s 25%

    Small wild cat with striped fur sitting quietly at night showcasing lesser-known facts about animals that made people say aww.

    Sad-Spot5521 , roaring.earth Report

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    #13

    The Resplendent Quetzal Is A Sacred Symbol In Mesoamerica And Guatemala's National Bird, Pictured On The Country's Flag. They Favor Eating Fruit In The Avocado Family, Eating Them Whole Before Regurgitating The Pits. Essentially Making Them The Avocado "Gardeners" Of Their Forest Habitats

    Colorful quetzal bird perched, flying, and close-up showing vibrant feathers and unique animal features in nature.

    They favor eating fruit in the avocado family, eating them whole before regurgitating the pits. Essentially making them the avocado "Gardeners" of their forest habitats

    IdyllicSafeguard , abcbirds.org Report

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    #14

    Fun Fact, You Can Rent Goats To Clear Brush Off Your Property. They Eat Everything, Including Poison Ivy, And It's Much More Eco Friendly Than Weed Killer

    Goats grazing and standing in lush green vegetation showcasing lesser-known facts about animals in a natural setting.

    Ezada , wikipedia.org Report

    #15

    The Wild Iberian Lynx Population Has Increased Tenfold In The Last Two Decades, From 94 Individuals In 2002 To 1,111 Lynxes In 2021, A True Success Story Owing To Conservation Efforts And Public Awareness. Listed As "Endangered", The Lynx Lives In Fragmented Wilderness Areas In Spain And Portugal

    Bobcat drinking water from a pond in the wild, showcasing lesser-known facts about animals in a natural habitat.

    Sayara2022 , wikipedia.org Report

    #16

    Platypuses/Platypi Are Extremely Affectionate, Also Have The Most Rem Sleep Of Any Animal (5.8-8 H/Day)

    Close-up of a platypus being gently held and petted in water showing lesser-known animal facts that made people say aww.

    ToughAcanthisitta451 , wikipedia.org Report

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    #17

    Blue-Footed Boobies Have Bright Blue Feet Due To Their Diet, And The Level Of Brightness Shows How Healthy The Bird Is To Their Mate!

    Blue-footed booby bird standing on one leg on the ground, showcasing a lesser-known fact about animals that made people say aww.

    NatsuDragnee1 , wikipedia Report

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    #18

    The Little Hands On These Cuties Are Their Pelvic Fins Which Form Suction Disks. The Suction Disks Are Used To Strongly Attach Themselves To Rocks And Other Objects

    Close-up of a small orange fish in aquarium water showcasing lesser-known facts about animals that made people say aww.

    Meechyyp , wikipedia.org Report

    #19

    The Blue Fairy Penguin Is Indigenous To The Southern Coastlines Of Australia And New Zealand. They Are The Smallest Species Of Penguin In The World

    Small penguin inside a room being gently petted, showcasing lesser-known facts about animals in a cozy setting.

    ToughAcanthisitta451 , wikipedia.or Report

    #20

    This Is The Astounding ‘Babysitter’ Bone Bed Containing Multiple, Exceptionally Preserved Baby Psittacosaurus Dinosaurs

    Fossilized dinosaur bones and artistic reconstruction showing lesser-known facts about animals that made people say aww.

    What was most astonishing was that the larger animal wasn't sexually mature, meaning it wasn't the parent, suggesting communal child-rearing behavior, hence the find's name

    reddit.com , phys.org Report

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    #21

    In Most Deer Species, Only The Males Grow Antlers. For Reindeer, Both The Males And Females Grow Them. A Female Reindeer Begins Growing Antlers In May And Keeps Them All The Way Until After The Winter Birthing Season To Protect Their Young From Predators (Perfect Mother's Day Fact)

    Baby bear and reindeer touching noses in snowy landscape, showcasing lesser-known facts about animals in a heartwarming moment.

    C1NN4B0Y , sandiegozoo.org Report

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    #22

    The Rusty-Spotted Cat Is The Smallest Wild Cat In Asia, And It Competes With The Black-Footed Cat Of Africa For The Title Of 'World's Smallest Wild Cat'. Adult Rusty-Spotted Cats Weigh Up To 1.6kg/3.5lbs. They Are Native To Nepal, India And Sri Lanka, And They Are Listed As 'Near Threatened'

    Small wildcat with large eyes peeking through dry leaves in a natural forest setting, showcasing lesser-known animal facts.

    Solenodon2022 , wikipedia Report

    #23

    Desert Rain Frogs Live In Clusters (Also Called Armies), Are Near Threatened Species As Of 2016, And Love Burrowing!

    Cute frog peeking and squeezing through wooden blocks showing lesser-known facts about animals that made people say aww

    niluphel , eol.org Report

    #24

    A Black Heron Using Its Wings Like An Umbrella, Creating Shade To Attract Fish, A Behavior Known As Canopy Feeding

    A bird spreads its feathers wide while drinking water, showcasing a lesser-known animal behavior that made people say aww.

    iboughtarock , wikipedia Report

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    #25

    Arctic Foxes Are 'Ecosystem Engineers' Who Grow Beautiful Gardens. Organic Waste From The Foxes & Their Kills Make The Area Surrounding Their Dens More Fertile, Leading To Almost Three Times As Many Dune Grasses, Willows & Wildflowers To Sprout Up, Compared To The Rest Of The Tundra

    Arctic fox curled up and sleeping peacefully in the snow, showcasing a lesser-known fact about animals that made people say aww.

    MistWeaver80 , nature.com Report

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    #26

    Bat Toes Are Specially Designed To Relax In A Locked Position. This Means That When Bats Are Clinging On To The Roof Of A Cave Or Tree, They Are Actually Relaxing Their Feet

    Tiny animal claws gripping a human finger closely showing lesser-known facts about animals that made people say aww

    It takes energy to release their grip and open up their little toes before taking off to fly in the night

    JMyers666 , iowadnr.gov Report

    #27

    Kodkods Are The Smallest Wild Felid In The Americas And Have The Smallest Distribution Of Any Cat In The Americas. They Occur Only In Central And Southern Chile, With Marginal Populations In Adjoining Areas Of Argentina

    Cute black animal sitting in grassy field showcasing lesser-known facts about animals that made people say aww.

    bearable_lightness , wildcatconservation Report

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    #28

    Although It Takes Newborn Elephants Only A Few Hours To Master Standing And Walking, They Need 1 Year To Figure Out How To Use Their Trunks To Drink Water

    Baby elephant playing with water in a tub, showcasing lesser-known facts about animals that inspire awe.

    In the meantime they will flop around as they try different techniques to control it

    Str024 , treehugger.com Report

    #29

    The Maned Wolf Is The One Of Largest Canid In South America. This Species Is The Only Member Of Its Genus. Although Technically, It Is Not A Fox Or A Wolf. Its Long Legs Are Likely An Adaptation To The Tall Grasslands Of Its Native Habitat

    Maned wolf standing in dry grass and green bushes, showcasing one of the lesser-known facts about animals.

    Soupmandog589 , seaworld.org Report

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    #30

    Songbirds Like This Indigo Bunting Use The Stars To Navigate While Migrating. Studies Show That The Birds Especially Rely On The North Star, Ursa Major, And Cassiopeia

    A vibrant blue bird perched gently on a person’s hand showcasing lesser-known facts about animals in nature.

    Imaginary-Ostrich515 , nationalzoo.si.edu Report

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    #31

    Bat-Eared Foxes Sleep Mostly During The Day In Their Burrows And Emerge At Dusk To Feed Mainly On Termites And Other Insects. As You Can Guess, They Have An Incredible Sense Of Hearing

    Fennec fox standing outdoors with oversized ears in a natural setting, showcasing lesser-known animal facts that inspire awe.

    KimCureAll , wikipedia.org Report

    #32

    The Tufted Coquette Is A Hummingbird That Breeds In Eastern Venezuela, Trinidad, Guiana, And Northern Brazil. The Male, Pictured Here, Has A Rufous Head Crest And A Coppery Green Back With A Whitish Rump Band That Is Prominent In Flight. Tufted Coquettes Are Known For Being Quite Approachable

    Tiny colorful bird with an orange crest and spotted feathers resting gently in a person's hand, showcasing lesser-known animal facts.

    Sayara2022 , wikipedia Report

    #33

    The Male Of The Purple-Gold Jumping Spider (Irura Bidenticulata) Is Recognized By Its Striking, Shiny Magenta-Gold Patterned Body. It Was Discovered In 2011 In Southeast Asia. The Purple-Gold Jumping Spider Typically Measures 5–6 Mm. It Is Not Considered Harmful To Humans

    Close-up of a tiny glittering spider showing lesser-known facts about animals that make people say aww.

    SingaporeCrabby , wikipedia.org Report

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    #34

    Bohemian Waxwings Have An Uncanny Ability To Find Fruit Nearly Everywhere, Almost Like They Have A Gps Tracker For Berries. Flocks Sometimes Turn Up In Desert Areas, Find An Isolated Shrub, Devour Its Fruit In Minutes, And Move On

    Colorful bird perched on snowy branches with red berries showcasing lesser-known facts about animals in nature.

    MyNameGifOreilly , wikipedia Report

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    #35

    Researchers At The Tel Aviv University Found Out That Bat Squeaks Are Not Random. They Actually Argue With Each Other. They Even Use Different To Es Of Voice While "Talking" To Different Individuals

    A cluster of lesser-known bats huddled together, showcasing unique animals that inspire people to say aww.

    child-of-old-gods , smithsonianmag.com Report

    #36

    The Black Tear Lines Under A Cheetah’s Eyes Protect Them From Glare And Strong Sunlight

    Close-up of a cheetah's face with amber eyes showcasing lesser-known facts about animals that make people say aww.

    GeorgeVlad , cheetah Report

    #37

    The Pink Fairy Armadillo Is The Smallest Species Of Its Kind. They Can Be Found In Central Argentina Amongst Sandy Plains And Dunes

    A rare pink armadillo resting gently in hands, showcasing lesser-known facts about animals that inspire aww moments.

    Twerky_Jurky , wikipedia.org Report

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    #38

    Owls Cannot Move Their Eyes, Only Their Heads

    Baby owl with big eyes standing on a metal surface, showcasing one of the lesser-known facts about animals that made people say aww

    JMyers666 , owlpages.com Report

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    #39

    The Giant Wood Moth Is One Of The Largest Moth Species In The World. According To The Australian Museum, Adult Females Are About Twice As Large As Males, Can Weigh Up To 30 Grams, And Have A Wingspan Of Up To 25 Centimeters. They Live In The Forests Of Australia And New Zealand

    Large moth resting on a person's hand, showcasing a lesser-known animal fact that surprised and made people say aww.

    m3antar , https://australian.museum/ Report

    #40

    Rats Enjoy Being Groomed, And It's Actually Good For Them. It Releases Endorphins And Oxytocin, Promoting Happiness And Social Bonding. It Reduces Stress And Promotes Good Health. Research Found That Rats That Were Groomed More As Babies Were Calmer, Braver And Had Better Immune Systems

    Man gently holding a small, lesser-known animal close to his chest showcasing cute animal moments that make people say aww

    ocdumbos , wikipedia.org Report