Huila Stubfoot Toad
At first sight we’re more than glad to jump on the opportunity to say how happy we are that this toad isn’t indeed extinct. But when we take a deeper look, we need to understand that this creature is still endangered, critically so. From the year 1992 until 2005 no-one had even spotted one.
Huila Stubfoot Toad
Monito Del Monte
This little cutie was rediscovered by a scientist in the bamboo forests of Chile, near the Andes mountains. The Monto Del Monte is known as the mountain monkey which likes to eat insects and other small invertebrates, augmented with fruits.
Monito Del Monte
Black-Footed Ferret
How adorable! These cuties were announced extinct in 1979 until just two years later when a California ranch dog brought a dead one home. Then three decades later, the the black-footed ferret was declared to have successfully rebounded.
Black Footed Ferret
Sea Sponge
The sea sponge is commonly found in aquariums and ocean photography but it wasn’t so long ago that they were approaching extinction. They’re certainly funny looking but in a cute kind of way.
Sea Sponge
Gracilidris
This particular ant was believed to have gone extinct over 20 million years ago (!). So you would think, given the length of its disappearance, we could close the case and officially say, yeah it’s extinct but we would have been so, very wrong. In 2006, the Gracilidris made a comeback all throughout Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.
Gracilidris
Coelacanth
You’ve probably seen pictures or have heard of the Coelacanth more than any other animal that makes this list and that has to do with the fact that it IS a living fossil. Scientists determined that this fish swam the waters some 400 million years ago. They originally said the fish was extinct around 60 million years ago, but that was actually found to be false as a Coelacanth was found in South Africa back in 1938. Ever since then, more and more have been found, so it seems like this fish is here to stay.
Coelacanth
Pinocchio Lizard
Yes, really, this lizard is called Pinocchio! Probably has something to do with its nose? I mean, we’re only speculating of course (lolz, sorry for that super bad joke). This lizard was rediscovered in 2005 deep in the forests of Ecuador by a bird watcher, who happened to see it cross the road. There’s a joke to be made here but we’ll let it slide.
Pinocchio Lizard
Goblin Shark
Remember when we said that not all the animals on this list were cute? Point proven with the goblin shark for sure. The Goblin Shark is also considered a living fossil as it date back some 120 million years. It is recognized easily due to its protruding snout and long horn like beak. It’s got the kind of face that only a mother could love.
Goblin Shark
Dwarf Cloud Rats
Scientists said that the cute little dwarf cloud rats went extinct around 115 years ago but just in 2012, they were rediscovered. These furry little critters are still on the endangered list and can be found throughout tropical forests, which as you know is also an endangered species in its own right.
Dwarf Cloud Rats
Purple Frog
The purple frog resembles a rather icky blob but it earns a spot on our list. This species was believed extinct until it was rediscovered in 2003 by scientists in Palode, India. The Purple Frog tends to live most of its life underground while only coming out for mating.
Purple Frog
Arakan Forest Turtle
The Arakan Forest Turtle is actually one of the rarest species of turtle and can only be found in captivity or in Western Myanmar. Scientists claimed the Arakan Forest Turtle was extinct in the early 1900s but when someone stumbled upon in 1994, that assumption was quickly reversed.
Arakan Forest Turtle
Giant Palouse Earthworm
Sorry but this list couldn’t be all puppies and rainbows, sometimes we gotta talk about icky earthworms, and if that’s your kinda thing, then sir, welcome. During the 80s, scientists said this bug was extinct but then it was rediscovered in 2010 by, you guessed it, scientists from the University of Idaho.
Giant Palouse Earthworm
Chacoan peccary
While the Chacoan peccary looks like a pig, it’s actually an odd mixture, brought up from many different continents. They were rediscovered in 1975 by researchers in the Chaco region of Paraguay. To this day, there are about 3,000 living “pigs”.
Chacoan Peccary
Kashmir Musk Deer
Not only does this deer have an odd name, it also looks a bit funny. It was unseen from 1948 until a team of researchers rediscovered it in 2009.
Kashmir Musk Deer
Sharks
Sharks also make this list, we know, pretty wild considering sharks are one of the ocean’s most cutthroat creatures. They’re been around for millions and millions of years, surviving many bouts of extinction – perhaps that’s why they’re so revered.
Sharks
Jerdon’s Tree Frog
The last time anyone had seen this frog was back in 1870 but a team of biologists stumbled upon it sometime in 2007.
Jerdon’s Tree Frog (Frankixalus Jerdonii)
Pygmy Tarsier
Now this little guy is adorable, thought to be extinct for almost 85 years until 2008. A team of researchers, led by a Texas A&M University professor, captured one while in Indonesia.
Pygmy Tarsier
Crested Gecko
While this gecko might have a funny name, he’s kind of adorable. Originally discovered in 1866, many decades passed where it was thought extinct until eventually German herpetologists found a population of them living in New Caledonia.
Crested Gecko
New Guinea big-eared bat
The last time anyone had seen this bat was in 1890, until of course a team of scientists stumbled upon a flock in 2012 while in the forests of Papua New Guinea. The bat is still rare but isn’t extinct anymore at least.
New Guinea Big Eared Bat
Cuban Solenodon
In 1970, the Cuban solenodon was thought to be extinct but zoologists rediscovered this cutie in 2003. In fact, they captured one before releasing him back to his natural habitat, but not before they named him “Alejandrito.”
Cuban Solenodon
Bermuda Petrel
This bird was believed to be extinct for almost 330 years, until its rediscovery back in 1951. Some 18 nesting pairs were discovered in Castle Harbor. Currently, they are on the endangered species list.
Bermuda Petrel
Black Kokanee
This species of Japanese salmon was declared extinct in 1940, after a hydroelectric plant made the waters “more acidic.” Then a science professor, Tetsuji Nakabo, along with a team of researchers rediscovered the fish in 2010, living in a lake near Mount Fuji.
Black Kokanee
The Nelson
The name of this small mouse-like animal may be interestingly “human-like”, but for about the past century it hasn’t been too certain on making itself known. This little guy wasn’t discovered until back in 1894 and only 109 years later was he rediscovered by 2 scientist on the slopes of the San Martín Tuxtla volcano in Mexico.
The Nelson
Terror Skink
One of the best common names in the animal kingdom, this rare reptile was thought to be extinct until 2003. And no wonder; it’s only found in the Isle of Pines. Before being photographed, filmed and released by specialists at the French National Museum of Natural History, the skink was only known by one specimen.
Terror Skink
Javan Elephant
So not long after Europeans came to southeast Asia scientists thought the Javan elephant went extinct. However, it looks like a ceremonial elephant trade centuries ago saved the Javan elephant from the fate of the dodo. Locals believed that the Sultan of Sulu (which is now part of the Philippines) transplanted elephants from Java to Borneo, which wouldn’t have been uncommon at the time. In 2003, a study concluded that the Borneo pygmy elephant are genetically distinct from other Asian elephants and likely originated on Java.
Javan Elephant1
Takahe
This is a native New Zealand flightless bird. They were considered extinct in 1898 after four specimens were killed and mounted for museums. But have no fear, because in 1948 the bird was rediscovered near Lake Te Anau. Even though they were once abundant, there are now only a few hundred. How colorful and beautiful is this Takahe?
Takahe
Myanmar’s Jerdon’s Babbler
For more then 70 years this rare little bird went without being seen. In fact, its last actual observation was in July 1941. After the species’s long absence, the animal was declared extinct and “written out of the birding books,” according to Scientific American. But, a team of researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society were shocked to find several of them living in Myanmar in May 2014. Welcome back to the real world little birds, time to spread you wings and fly!
Myanmars Jerdons Babbler1
The Lord Howe Stick Insect
These not-so cute/pretty insects grow freakishly large which gave them their name as “tree lobsters.” These large (very large) insects were introduced by humans in the early 1900s. And for nearly 50 years majority of people assumed they were extinct but they weren’t! They actually found many living survivors who were under a single bush. What troopers these guys are!
The Lord Howe Stick Insect
Omura’s Whale
In 2003 the Omura’s Whale was initially described as a distinct species. But Salvatore Cerchio and a group of scientists captured photos of the whale off the coast of northwest Madagascar, marking that the first time the species had ever been filmed during field observations in October 2015.
Omuras Whale
Giant Squid
The Giant Squid aka the creature pulled straight from legends has moved into the realm of science since it was discovered back in 1878. Because it was so rare to see these squids, scientists assumed they were extinct. However in 2005 Japanese scientists managed to find another Giant Squid, reproducing the research. But did you know that Giant Squids are considered to be very intellectual yet dangerous creatures, especially to a host of other large ocean creatures.
Giant Squid
The Clarion Nightsnake
This slithering snake hid on a remote island for 80 years — not a bad idea! The Clarion nightsnake is so rare, biologists had erased it from the scientific record. The serpent wasn’t so easy to find, either. Biologists traveled to a remote island off the coast of Mexico — along with a military escort — to search for the nightsnake. He must’ve been enjoying some peace and quiet.
The Clarion Nightsnake
Gilbert’s Potoroo
This animal was initially discovered in 1841. It was thought to be extinct by 1909. However, it was seen again in 1994 and they were compared to the fossil records. They were confirmed. Currently these semi-cute little marsupials total up to less than 100. We wonder if they’ll discover more — only time will tell.
Gilberts Potoroo
Ivory Billed Woodpecker
First of all how uniquely gorgeous is this guy! I mean that vibrant red against his black body is something to see — def wouldn’t be hard to spot this guy in the sport, “bird spotting.” Well except for the fact that these guys can only be found throughout the Southeastern portion of the U.S.A, mainly in the forests.This bird was thought to be extinct back in the 40’s. However, a team of researchers managed to located the bird back in 2009.
Ivory Billed Woodpecker1
Eastern Quoll
For over 50 years this rather elusive marsupial, which was believed to have become extinct from mainland Australia, was actually (recently) rediscovered in New South Wales, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. They are widespread in Tasmania, but were eradicated from larger Australia by the introduction of red foxes, and the last confirmed mainland spotting of the animal happened around Sydney in 1963. However in 2016, someone had discovered one in 1989 and had it stuffed, giving hope that they weren’t completely eliminated from the mainland.
Eastern Quoll
Australian Night Parrot
Naturalist John Young was convinced that the Australian night parrot was still alive and in existence. He spent 15 years searching for the elusive night bird until his dreams came true and he managed to photograph it in 2013. It had been “extinct” since 1912 when the bird was last seen!
Australian Night Parrot
Kunimasu
In the 1940’s, Japanese dam builders set up a hydroelectric dam that had severe effects on the marine life in Lake Tazawako. The acidity levels rose so high that everyone believed that the entire population of kunimasu salmon had been wiped out. But what actually happened was that more than 100,000 eggs were washed away to a lake more than 300 miles from there. This discovery only surfaced in 2010.
Kunimasu
Varanus Douarrha
Believe it or not but this creature’s rediscovery was as recent as 2017. The first time that this lizard came to surface was in 1823 when French naturalist René Lesson wished to bring the animal with him back to his homeland in order to learn more about it. The only issue was that it died in a shipwreck on the way to France.
Varanus Douarrha
Spix’s Macaw
He’s no ordinary parrot, this blue elusive wonder bird was thought to be extinct for 15 years. Well firstly, let’s take a step back and say that he is the exact species of the parrot from the animated movie called “Rio”. Recently a Brazilian man caught the Spix’s macaw flying through the air. Amidst speculations, this single sighting leads researchers to believe that there are more of this bird out there.
Spix’s Macaw
Red-Faced Liocichla
Can you believe that it took 178 years for this bird to appear again? Hikers traversing the mountains of Nepal happened across two of them and then the following day, another eight.
Red-Faced Liocichla
New Zealand Storm Petrel
A group of bird watchers touring near the Mercury Islands spotted what they couldn’t believe to be real. What they saw was the “150-year extinct” New Zealand storm petrel. After they reported the incident in 2003, scientists were quick to shoot down the possibility of the bird being the extinct species, but soon they found it to be true.
New Zealand Storm Petrel
Laotian Rock Rat
Is this the oldest recovered extinct species out there? Many experts believed that the Loatian rock rat became extinct over 10 million years ago. In 2005, scientists realized that they had discovered it alive and even being served as a meal option in certain areas.
Laotian Rock Rat
Monoplacophora Mollusks
Even though we’ve had some major blasts from the past on this list, no other species can compete with this one. Coming all the way from the Cambrian period which was 500 million years ago, they only surfaced to the eyes of explorers in 1952. Their discovery has opened a whole new world for marine biologists.
Monoplacophora Mollusks
Mountain Pygmy Possum
Australia boasts some of the weirdest creatures that have ever roamed our planet. For almost one hundred years, the popular belief was that the mountain pygmy possum was extinct. Then, out of all places in the world, someone spotted one in 1966 at a ski resort. Today we only know of about 100 living.
Mountain Pygmy Possum
Large-Billed Reed Warbler
How incredible is it that a bird which became extinct in 1867, was rediscovered in 2006? That’s right. A wild population of these birds happened to be living in an area of Thailand. In order to be sure of their link to their “extinct” ancestors, a DNA test was done and proved what they wished to know.
Large-Billed Reed Warbler
New Holland Mouse
Although scientists only discovered the New Holland mouse in 1843, it disappeared within less than 100 years. Miraculously it turned up in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in Australia in 1967.
New Holland Mouse
La Palma Giant Lizard
In 2007, the La Palma giant lizard shocked visitors when it proved that its species wasn’t extinct. The region of the Canary Islands has rapidly attracted those interested in finding more information (and lizards) in the surrounding areas.
La Palma Giant Lizard
Sahul Reef Snake
This snake is also known as the ‘short-nosed sea snake’. Because this snake has a slow reproduction cycle, with females not even producing eggs every year, experts worry that it will become completely extinct without human’s positive impact.
Sahul Reef Snake
Yellow-Tailed Woolly Monkey
At the beginning of the 1800’s this unique monkey was discovered by scientists, but then it completely disappeared off the map. That disappearance lasted until 1974, and although we’ve ‘found’ it, it is still a critically endangered animal.
Yellow-Tailed Woolly Monkey
Hose’s Langur
Some animals have only been discovered in the last few decades and this is one of them. Only in 1985 in Indonesia was it spotted. By the early 2000’s many thought that land loss due to deforestation had caused it to become extinct. In 2012 a decent-sized group of langurs was spotted, leading researchers to understand that the primates hadn’t become extinct.
Hose’s Langur
Bridled Nail-Tail Wallaby
In 1956, Australian wildlife experts mourned the extinction of the bridled nail-tail wallaby. It didn’t take too long for them to put a smile back on their faces. Today Australian authorities are taking extensive measures to keep this unique species safe.
Bridled Nail-Tail Wallaby
Cropan’s Tree Boa
Very often in the Brazilian region of Ribeira Valley, farmers who encounter snakes kill them. Only after that do they send them to researchers who are always keen to research the species in more detail. Luckily in 1955 a group of farmers saw this rare snake and captured it alive. For more than 100 years they believed that it didn’t exist anymore.
Cropan’s Tree Boa
Narwhal
It’s definitely shocking to see the narwhal on this list as they’re considered a myth but lo-and-behold, here we are. They were officially found by historian Olaus Magnus back in 1555 thus shattering the belief that they were a myth. Due to rising levels of global warming, these beautiful creatures are approaching the endangered species list yet again.
Narwhal
