Is the star-nosed mole the world's strangest looking animal?

Nature · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Resembling a hybrid between an octopus and a rat, the star-nosed mole possesses a highly unusual appearance that challenges our definition of biological normalcy.

This video examines the star-nosed mole, a creature whose physical characteristics make it a top contender for the title of the world's weirdest-looking animal. Its distinctive anatomy features a facial structure that looks like a cross between a rat and an octopus.

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