There are places we expect to see animals - squirrels in the backyard, birds in the trees, and lions in the jungle. If the animal kingdom has taught us anything, though, it's to expect the unexpected. Did you ever think you would see goats hanging out in trees? How about snakes hanging from cave ceilings? Animals aren't always where you expect them to be, and these are the ones you can find in the oddest places!
The Wallabies Of Lambay Island
Known best as an Australian marsupial, color us surprised that wallabies are thriving off the Irish coast on Lambay Island. The animals were relocated there after the population at the Dublin Zoo began to explode.
Despite no longer living in a climate-controlled environment similar to their native land, the wallaby population on Lambay Island is thriving. Whether it's in the sun or snow, these animals prove that you never know where they might pop up!
The Pigs Of Big Major Cay
Have you ever dreamed of swimming with wild pigs in the ocean? On Big Major Cay in the Bahamas, your dreams can become a reality. The odd destination to find pigs has become a tourist hotspot in recent years.
The pigs in the Bahamas have become so used to human contact that they will even approach boats to say hello. In some cases, they have even been caught jumping into boats to share a snack with visitors!
The Hanging Snakes Of Jose Maria Moreles
When hiking around the desert, common sense tells you to watch where you step to avoid snakes. You would never think to apply the same principle to looking up. But that's exactly what you have to do in the caves of Jose Maria Morelos, Mexico.
Found in Mexico's "Bat Cave," these sneaky serpents use the tunnels at the top of the cave to catch their prey. As swarms of bats fly through, the snakes dangle from their holes to catch a quick meal.
The Tree Goats Of Morocco
Goats can be found just about anywhere in the world, but would you really expect to find them hanging out in trees? In Morocco, the Argania trees are littered with hungry goats, who show just how determined they are to get a good meal.
The balancing act of these goats on the thinnest branches makes the trip worth the cost. The Argania trees are the only ones you'll find these goats climbing up. They love the fruit that hangs from the trees, and when the low hanging supply is empty, they'll find their way up high to keep eating their favorite treat!
The Fish Out Of Water At Akaka Falls
The goby fish of Akaka Falls in Hawaii have a special ability to reach their mating grounds at the top of waterfalls. They have suckers located on their undersides to climb up the falls, leaving the safety of their watery home momentarily to reach the promised land.
If you choose to visit these falls, you won't just be greeted by the beautiful and serene sights. You will also discover one of the most unique fish behaviors in the world.
The Wallabies Of Scotland
You read that title correctly - if you visit Scotland there's a chance you might encounter wallabies! The animals were introduced to Inchconnachan in the '40s by a well-known aristocrat known as "the fastest granny on water."
Many people in the surrounding region believe the population has become an intrusive species. Their residence has begun disrupting a popular native species of bird. For now, the wallabies remain allowed to roam the area as one of the alpha species.
The Rhesus Monkeys Of South Carolina
Rhesus monkeys found their way from Puerto Rico to Morgan Island, South Carolina in the 1970s after a virus attacked the population at the Caribbean Primate Research Center. To save the animals, several hundred were sent to Morgan Island where they still reside today.
Unfortunately, the move to Morgan Island hasn't been as beneficial as was hoped. Originally coming from a research center, testing has continued on the monkeys in the United States with detrimental side effects.
The Parakeets Of Brooklyn, New York
All across New York live wild parakeets, but none are more prevalent than the ones congregating at Brooklyn College. The most interesting part about the parakeets here is that no one actually knows how they arrived.
The most popular story is that there was a shipment of parakeets that were going to be distributed to pet shops but the delivery never arrived... The escaped birds then not only found a way to survive in the concrete jungle but thrive as well.
The Pelicans Of London
While seeing pelicans in London, England at St. James Park may not seem so odd, trust us, it is. The animals that make their home here are thousands of miles away from their natural habitats.
Pelicans were first brought to the park in 1664 and have never left. The social birds are one of the top tourist attractions in the area. They enjoy stealing fish from other birds and basking in the sun, making sure there is never a dull moment.
The Seals Of Russia
A freshwater lake in the Olhanksy Districtrict of Russia is not the natural habitat of seals. How these animals ended up here is uncertain, but zoologists have their theories. One theory claims the seal entered the lake while it was still connected to the Arctic Ocean.
These animals have adapted so incredibly, they have learned to claw breathing holes out of the frozen lake in winter. Now that's adaptability!
The Parrots Of San Francisco
Tropical birds don't only live in New York. They also live in sunny California, and one of the most famous populations are the parrots of San Francisco. Unlike the parakeets of New York, we know exactly how the parrot population bloomed on Telegraph Hill.
In the 1990s a pair of the birds escaped from their home into the wild. Other birds began escaping, too, creating a local population of the non-native species. Walking around San Francisco and seeing a parrot perched on a phone poll adds to the ambiance of the city.
The Moose Of Russia
The typical farm that most people envision has cows, horses, and other animals. In Bolshoye Andrykovi, Russia, they have moose farms. When Russia began breeding Moose, they planned to create a cavalry with the animals.
When that didn't work, they kept farming moose as a food source and other purposes. Doing this, they quickly found that moose are stubborn animals. Today, they are only farmed for milk.
The Bears Of Czechia
As if approaching a castle moat filled with alligators wasn't scary enough, imagine if the reptiles were replaced with brown bears! That's the reality at Cesky Krumlov Castle in Czechia.
Bears have protected the castle grounds since the 16th century and began calling the area around the castle their home in the 17th century. In modern times, bears have been gifted to the estate to ensure the furry tradition is not broken any time soon.
The Bunnies Of Japan
During the 1920s, Japan signed the Geneva Protocol, which banned the use of poison gas. Before then, the country was using the island of Okunoshima to produce the gas weapon. The location was even hidden on maps so that other countries couldn't find the facilities.
Since the facilities were shut down, local wildlife has thrived. Feral bunnies especially have overrun the island, turning what could once be considered an island of horrors into one filled with beautiful wildlife.
The Peacocks Of Germany
Located in Berlin, Germany, Pfaueninsel Estate used to be home for several exotic animal species. At one time, an owner of the estate built facilities where peacocks, wolves, crocodiles, and eagles lived. Today, only the peacocks remain.
This story doesn't have a sad ending, though. In the 1940s a majority of the animals on site were moved to the Berlin Zoo. Some of the peacocks were transported while others stayed at the estate.
The Hippos Of Columbia
At the peak of his empire, Pablo Escobar owned four pet hippos, who ended up all escaping the property. The alpha hippo of the group was nicknamed Pablo and was not an animal you would want to make angry.
Because of the hippo escape, today there are more than 80 wild hippos roaming the countryside of South America. Recent studies suggest that unlike most non-native species, the hippos are actually improving the ecosystem they moved into.
The Goats Of Italy
While it is commonly known that certain species of goat can scale intense inclines, seeing them hopping around a man-made dam is definitely out of the ordinary. The species that climb the Cingino Dam are native to the country and live in the Gran Paradiso National Park.
The Alpine ibexes were actually relocated from another spot in Italy to the dam in an attempt to strengthen the population. So far the move has worked as numbers of the wild goats have begun to rise.
The Monkeys Of Florida
In Florida, a certain species of monkey became so invasive they were "banished" to their own island. The monkey made it a habit to steal food from tourists and break into cars. The state responded by rounding up the monkeys and relocating them to "Monkey Island."
The island, located at the Homosassa Wildlife State Park, is surrounded by just enough water that the population can't make it back to shore. Since the big move, the wild species population in the area has grown.
The Goats Of Wisconsin
If you ever go to Wisconsin and have a craving for Swedish food, we recommend going to Al Johnson's for your meal. When you arrive, you'll notice that the roof of the diner is a patch of grass with goats hanging out.
The goats only show up at the restaurant during the summer. Every morning, the animals are loaded from another location into a truck bed and driven to the small grassy knoll where they are a popular attraction.
The Horses Of Halifax
On Sable Island, just off the coast of Halifax, Canada lives a herd of wild horses. The island stretches 26 miles, is littered with dunes, and does not look like the normal type of place you would expect wild horses to live.
Yet, an estimated 400 horses call the island home. Most likely, the horses have descended from others originally brought there in the 18th century. The horses have stayed on the island long enough that today they are considered to be their own breed.
