Snake escaping taxidermy, rare albino creatures and three other animal encounters

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Unique creatures, odd animals and new species are being discovered across the planet. Some are found lurking in remote corners of the world, while others have been hiding right under our noses.

Take a look at some recent animal encounters:

Ocean creature — with medicinal interest — thriving in polluted Italy water

In the coastal waters of Italy, researchers have been studying the Doris verrucosa, a warty dorid sea slug, which is thriving in polluted environments. This sea slug, known for its potential medicinal properties, has been found in areas with high human impact, such as aquaculture sites. The study highlights the slug’s ability to adapt to challenging conditions, suggesting its biochemical compounds could have antimicrobial and antiviral activities. | Published Aug. 22 | Read More |

‘Extremely rare’ albino turtle hatches in Canada. Then comes a second. See them

In Canada, two “extremely rare” albino Blanding’s turtles have hatched, marking the first documented cases of albinism in this species in the country. These turtles, typically dark gray, were discovered as part of a conservation effort by the Canadian Wildlife Federation to incubate and release turtle eggs in eastern Ontario. The albino hatchlings are a significant find, as no other albino Blanding’s turtles have been reported in Canada before. | Published Aug. 22 | Read More |

Odd-colored shark appears on deep-sea camera in first-of-its-kind sighting

Off the coast of the Azores Islands, Portugal, researchers captured footage of a leucistic false catshark, a rare sighting of this deep-sea predator with pale coloring. The shark was recorded by a baited underwater camera during a scientific survey, revealing its unusual pigmentation caused by a genetic condition called leucism. Despite its odd appearance, the shark appeared healthy, suggesting it faces no additional risks in its deep-sea environment. | Published Aug. 25 | Read More |

7-foot snake found far from home may have had a spiritual purpose, officials say

In Peru, a 7.6-foot-long boa constrictor was found far from its natural habitat, possibly trafficked for spiritual practices. The snake, identified as boa constrictor ortonii, was discovered in the Huancabamba province and is believed to have been kept for shamanistic purposes or alternative medicine. This discovery highlights the unusual presence of the snake in the highlands, far from its native dry forests in northwestern Peru. | Published Aug. 25 | Read More |

Deep-sea creature with dozens of tentacles seen moving in ‘peculiar’ way. See it

In the Nova Canton Trough near Kiribati, scientists observed sea anemones exhibiting a unique “rolling” movement on the seafloor. These pale-yellow creatures with dark spots and dozens of tentacles were seen moving against the current, a behavior not previously documented in sea anemones. The study suggests this movement could be a response to environmental factors, highlighting the limited understanding of deep-sea anemone behavior. | Published Aug. 25 | Read More |

This story was originally published August 29, 2025 at 9:00 AM with the headline "Snake escaping taxidermy, rare albino creatures and three other animal encounters."