When locals think about what defines the place they live in, food and history usually come to mind first. But culture is such a multifaceted concept that there are a whole lot of other details that make a region feel unique, like nature!
So today, let’s take a look at what people from around the world say is the coolest animal from their own country. Their choices can be surprisingly revealing—not only about the wildlife itself, but also about what society notices, values, and associates most strongly with home.
#1 Brazil
Harpy eagle.
OmEqualsMC2:
That is…INSANE.
OmEqualsMC2:
That is…INSANE.
96points
#3 Colombia
Capybara.
GIC68:
If that guy isn't cool, then nothing is cool.
GIC68:
If that guy isn't cool, then nothing is cool.
93points
#4 Australia
This absolute freakshow - platypus. It has a venom spike on the back of its rear legs, just to add to the weirdness.
GIC68:
And it doesn't have a stomach and lays eggs. But it sweats milk to feed its offsprings.
This animal is like when god was done creating all animals he swept the workshop and thought "now, what am I going to do with all that?"
GIC68:
And it doesn't have a stomach and lays eggs. But it sweats milk to feed its offsprings.
This animal is like when god was done creating all animals he swept the workshop and thought "now, what am I going to do with all that?"
93points
#5 Netherlands
My cat, but we have wolves and they are pretty cool too.
92points
#6 United States Of America
North American opossum. Can’t get rabies cause they’re literally too cold. They eat ticks. They are the only North American marsupial.
They’re also really cute.
They’re also really cute.
90points
#7 Switzerland
These cuties. Valais Blacknose sheep.
Sigyn775:
Me at the airport in Zurich: “Yes I know my bag is overweight and what do you mean it’s baaaaing?”
Sigyn775:
Me at the airport in Zurich: “Yes I know my bag is overweight and what do you mean it’s baaaaing?”
89points
#8 Brazil
It’s not exclusive to Brazil, but to a good part of the Americas as well.
Black Jaguar.
Black Jaguar.
89points
#9 Bangladesh
The most majestic big cat... Royal Bengal Tiger.
87points
#11 Mexico
Axolotl.
Alberterwith_anyone7:
It's like a pokémon, mainly because it can turn into a salamander.
Alberterwith_anyone7:
It's like a pokémon, mainly because it can turn into a salamander.
80points
#12 Poland
Beaver (bober).
krim2182 (Canada):
Majestic! We love them so much we have them on our 5 cent coin.
krim2182 (Canada):
Majestic! We love them so much we have them on our 5 cent coin.
79points
#13 New Zealand
Kea, an alpine parrot, they eat sheep alive, they rip up cars, they steal things, they are really smart, apparently using tools, and are really pretty.
78points
#14 Croatia
Pine martens.
They can often be mistaken for squirrels. They do dwell a bit in cities and parks, but are stretched all across Croatia. Before the Euro, our national currency was named after pine martens (Kuna) because their pelt and hide was used in trade by Slavonian trappers and merchants during the Middle Ages.
They can often be mistaken for squirrels. They do dwell a bit in cities and parks, but are stretched all across Croatia. Before the Euro, our national currency was named after pine martens (Kuna) because their pelt and hide was used in trade by Slavonian trappers and merchants during the Middle Ages.
77points
#15 United States Of America
Mountain Lions aka Cougars.
76points
#16 The Philippines
Our Tarsiers.
Pitmidget:
They always look like theyre seeing something outside of our comprehension. I love them!
Pitmidget:
They always look like theyre seeing something outside of our comprehension. I love them!
Report
73points
#17 Colombian Caribbean
Anteater.
70points
#18 Denmark
This one. Not the species necessarily, but the individual. This is Freja, the currently oldest and most studied sea porpoise alive. She turned 30 this year which is app 5-6 times as old as porpoises live in nature. The image is deceptive, btw, she is quite tiny.
68points
#19 Mexico
If we go by coolness alone, the jaguar and the golden eagle are hard to beat.
67points
