These 20 Animals That Were Thought to Be Extinct but Were Rediscovered – Have You Seen Any of Them?
Have you ever stumbled across an old photo of an animal and thought, “Too bad they’re gone forever?” Nature has a way of surprising us, hiding creatures in remote corners of the world only to reveal them when we least expect it. What if some of those animals we mourn aren’t lost to time?
In an era of environmental crisis, these remarkable rediscoveries give us hope for species we thought were gone forever. Here are twenty amazing creatures that pulled off the ultimate disappearing act only to make spectacular comebacks.
Coelacanth, The Living Fossil
For millions of years, scientists only knew this fish from fossils, declaring it extinct 66 million years ago. Then, a South African museum curator spotted one in a fishing market.
Local fishermen had known about the “big blue fish” all along, considering it too oily to eat. Today, marine biologists joke that it’s the ultimate example of “playing dead” in the animal kingdom.
Lord Howe Island Stick Insect
Called “tree lobsters” due to their enormous size, these insects were thought to be extinct after rats invaded their island home. Researchers found 24 survivors living on a single bush atop a remote sea stack.
Now they’re making a comeback, though postal workers still double-check packages from Lord Howe Island.
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Bermuda Petrel
This seabird, known as the Cahow, disappeared for 330 years. When a few pairs were found nesting on offshore islets, it became Bermuda’s version of a phoenix rising.
Local conservationists now guard their nests like celebrity bodyguards, with night-vision goggles and everything.
Gilbert’s Potoroo
Australia’s rarest marsupial played hide-and-seek for 120 years before being rediscovered in Western Australia. Scientists searching for wallabies instead found this tiny kangaroo relative hopping around like it hadn’t missed a century.
Park rangers now call it the “master of marsupial disguise.”
Takahe
This flightless bird from New Zealand was officially declared extinct in 1898. Then, a doctor found a whole population living in a remote valley.
Local hikers now carry special “Takahe spotting guides” that mostly consist of looking down instead of up.
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Cuban Solenodon
This strange creature, looking like a shrew crossed with a miniature anteater, vanished for 37 years. Researchers found it still shuffling around in Cuba’s remote mountains, proving that some animals just prefer privacy.
Scientists named their rediscovery project “Operation Needle in a Haystack.”
Black-Footed Ferret
After being declared extinct, a ranch dog in Wyoming brought one home to its owner. This led to the discovery of a small colony, turning a family pet into an accidental wildlife detective.
Local ranchers now brag about having the world’s most valuable prairie dog hunters.
La Palma Giant Lizard
This Canary Islands native was thought to be extinct for 500 years until researchers found a tiny population living on cliff faces. The lizards had been practicing extreme sports all along, scaling vertical walls that kept them safe from predators.
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Pygmy Tarsier
These tiny primates from Indonesia were missing for 80 years before scientists accidentally caught one in a rat trap. The researchers felt so bad about the mishap that they spent the next decade studying these tennis-ball-sized creatures with extra care.
New Holland Mouse
Missing from Australia for a century, this tiny rodent was found living its best life in a national park. Turns out it hadn’t gone extinct – it was just very picky about its real estate choices.
Terror Skink
With a name like that, you’d think it would be hard to miss. This New Caledonian lizard reappeared after 130 years, proving that even terrifying names can’t guarantee fame.
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Bavarian Pine Vole
This small European rodent played dead for 40 years before popping up in Austria. Scientists now joke that it was just taking a very long Alpine vacation.
Canterbury Knobbled Weevil
Missing for 83 years, this New Zealand insect was found living on a single plant species. It had developed very specific dietary preferences during its time away.
Melbourne Button
This tiny Australian snail was thought extinct for 50 years until someone stumbled upon it while walking through a park. Urban wildlife experts now remind people to watch their step – you never know what you might rediscover.
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Las Vegas Valley Leopard Frog
Everyone thought this amphibian had croaked its last croak until researchers found it alive and well in Nevada. Turns out that what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas.
Wallace’s Giant Bee
The world’s largest bee, with a wingspan of 2.5 inches, was found after being missing for 38 years. Indonesia’s forests kept this giant secret until photographers proved that sometimes, size doesn’t matter when hiding.
Fernandina Giant Tortoise
Missing for 113 years, this Galápagos tortoise proved that slow and steady wins the reappearance race. Local guides now include “tortoise hide and seek” in their tour packages.
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Silver-Backed Chevrotain
This deer-like creature from Vietnam, nicknamed the mouse-deer, was rediscovered after 30 years. Wildlife photographers had to check their camera traps twice to believe what they’d caught on film.
Korean Fox
Missing for 100 years, these foxes were found living in the demilitarized zone of Korea. They found the perfect hiding spot where few humans dared to tread.
Sierra Leone Crab
Lost to science for 225 years, this colorful crab was found strutting around a city market. Local sellers had been seeing it all along, proving that sometimes the best hiding spot is in plain sight.
Nature’s Greatest Comebacks
These rediscoveries remind us that extinction isn’t always forever. While we must remain vigilant in protecting endangered species, nature sometimes has surprises in store.
These animals teach us that hope persists even when all seems lost and that sometimes, the best way to find something is to stop looking so hard. They stand as living proof that our planet still holds mysteries waiting to be rediscovered.
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