Lisa O
The world is home to some truly fascinating creatures, but not all of them are easy to find. Some animals are so rare and elusive that they’ve earned almost mythical status. Today, we’ll take a look at 20 rare wild animals that are nearly impossible to catch a glimpse of in the wild.
Okapi
Living in the thick rainforests of the Congo, the okapi is often called the ‘African unicorn.’ Its striped hindquarters might remind you of a zebra, but it’s actually related to the giraffe. This shy and secretive animal is super hard to spot, making it one of the rarest sights in the wild.
Wolverine
Forget about Hugh Jackman in X-Men—wolverines are actually the largest members of the weasel family, though they look more like small bears. What really stands out about wolverines is their surprising strength, which is way beyond what you’d expect for their size. Found in northern Canada, Alaska, and Scandinavia, their prized fur has sadly made them a target for hunters over the years.
Ocelot
The ocelot, which is about the size of a domestic cat, has striking leopard-like fur that blends perfectly into its rainforest home. Found across South America and as far north as Texas, these stealthy hunters stalk monkeys and birds from the trees, using their sharp fangs to catch their prey.
White Lions
White lions are the same as African lions except for their color, which comes from a recessive gene. Native to South Africa’s Timbavati region in the northeast, they were once removed from the wild because they were thought to be poor hunters. Reintroduced in 2009, but sadly, you’re more likely to spot one in a zoo than in Timbavati.
African Wild Dog
Once common in the Maasai Mara, the African wild dog stands in the list of the most endangered mammals today, with fewer than 5,500 left in the wild. Thanks to conservation efforts, over 300 of these large canines now roam the Laikipia plateau in Kenya. However, the vast landscape and their perfect camouflage make spotting them pretty tricky.
Tapir
Even though they’re most closely related to horses and rhinos, tapirs look more like pigs with their stocky, rounded bodies, and their short trunks give them a somewhat funny look. Found in forests across Central and South America and Asia (the Malayan tapir stands out with its white hindquarters), these shy, awkward herbivores are surprisingly graceful swimmers.
Siberian Tiger
The Siberian tiger (world’s largest cat) is tough to spot in the wild due to its solitary nature, camouflaging coat, and the harsh environment it calls home. Mostly found in Russia’s Sikhote-Alin mountains, about 900km northeast of Vladivostok, only around 500 of these striking tigers remain in the wild. Sadly, the ongoing demand for tiger products keeps them endangered.
Oncilla
Oncillas, smaller relatives of the ocelot, are found in Costa Rica and some parts of South America and are sometimes called “tiger cats.” Mostly nocturnal, these adorable wild cats are amazing climbers but spend most of their time on the ground in tropical forests. They rely on meat, so they mostly hunt small mammals, birds, and lizards for food.
Snow Leopards
These elegant, pale cats—smaller than most big cats—are perfectly suited for their cold, rugged mountain home. Their thick fur and sturdy build help them stay warm in freezing temps, while their coloring blends them perfectly into their surroundings. Found from southern Siberia to the Himalayas, their remote habitats make sightings incredibly rare.
Mountain Gorillas
It’s hard to imagine such a big animal being hard to find, but these shy, gentle giants can be surprisingly tricky to spot in the wild. To see a mountain gorilla found in parts of Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda means a long, tough trek through dense vegetation. Although they mostly live on the ground, their frequent movements make them hard to track down.
Giant Pandas
One of the world’s most distinctive mammals, the giant panda, is native to south-central China, especially Sichuan, and there are fewer than 1,600 left in the wild. With a diet almost entirely made up of bamboo, they need to eat up to a huge 38 kg a day. Sadly, they’re so tough to spot that your best bet is to see one in a wildlife center or zoo.
Nightjar
The nocturnal nightjar, found in the UK only during late spring and summer, has a legendary reputation for sucking milk from goats (yep, we’re serious). Its dull, brown, mottled feathers help it stay hidden during the day. The first sign one’s nearby is usually the male’s song, often heard around dusk on quiet, warm summer evenings.
Golden Eagles
With only 440 pairs breeding in the UK, the golden eagle is one of the most stunning yet hardest-to-spot birds around. These majestic creatures, with wingspans over two meters, can sometimes be seen soaring over Scottish moorlands and mountains. Finding one takes a bit of luck, the right weather, and knowing where to look—Isle of Skye is probably your best bet.
Kermode Bear
The Kermode bear is known for its unique white fur. This coloring helps them blend in perfectly while catching fish, making them more successful than their black-furred relatives. The greatest concentration of these bears lives on uninhabited Princess Royal Island, but with one of the largest temperate rainforests in the world, spotting one is a rare treat.
Guinea Baboons
The smallest baboon species, Guinea baboons, live in groups of up to two hundred. These chatty creatures are way easier to hear than to spot. With their reddish-brown fur, they’re not the fastest climbers, so they usually stick to the treetops instead of risking the forest floor. Found in a small area of West Africa, including Guinea (no surprises there), Gambia, and Senegal, these baboons are a rare sight.
African Black-footed Cat
It may seem surprising that the small, domestic-sized African black-footed cat can survive in the deserts of southern Africa, home to much larger predators, but it does. The San people even call it the “anthill lion” because of its courage. These solitary, nocturnal hunters stay hidden, making them tough to spot, and they prey on small animals, including larger Cape hares.
Badgers
Although they feel like a classic British animal, you’re more likely to spot a dead badger on the road than see one alive in the UK. Since they spend most of their lives underground—living in setts made up of a network of tunnels passed down through generations, some of which are centuries old—it’s no surprise. Many of the bumps in UK woodlands are actually due to their impressive digging skills.
Grey Wolves
Forget the Big Bad Wolf stories from your childhood—real grey wolves are actually pretty shy. Once common across northern Europe and North America, they were nearly wiped out by the 1960s. Now, thanks to successful reintroductions in places like Yellowstone Park, they’re making a comeback, but spotting them still takes a lot of patience and effort.
Black Panther
Despite the name, black panthers aren’t a separate species of cat. They’re actually leopards in Africa and Asia and jaguars in the Americas, with their black coats caused by extra melanin. Because of this, they’re incredibly rare, and spotting one in the wild is unlikely. Your best shot is in Kenya, particularly around Mount Kenya and Aberdare National Park.
Aardvark
The aardvark is also called the African antbear because it feeds on ants and termites. These nocturnal, mostly solitary creatures live in underground burrows, making them tough to spot on game safaris. The name “aardvark” is from early Afrikaans, meaning “earth pig,” but surprisingly, they’re more closely related to elephants than pigs.