Watch the video at the end of the article.
Nature has a thing about survival of the fittest. In that spirit some species of animals (whether they live in water, on land or in the sky) have gone to extremes to make sure they have whatever bonus edge they can get over their neighbors in the wild.
1. The pink fairy armadillo
What scientists like to call it: Chlamyphorus truncatus
The smallest (and, of course, pinkest) armadillo in the world favors the grasslands and sandy plains of Central Argentina as its home territory. If you happen to stumble across one in the Argentinian wilds, consider yourself extremely lucky. This ant-loving burrower keeps to life underground, preferably near anthills that can double as all-you-can-eat buffets. Usually weighing in at less than half a kilogram (about one pound), it substantially lacks in the body weight department compared to other members of the armadillo family, some of which can top the scales at 33 kilograms (nearly 73 pounds).
And while its bigger relatives are known for their armored shell, the pink fairy armadillo’s fragile back plating isn’t completely attached to its body. That pinkish tinge you’re seeing is a result of blood vessels showing through, and as you might have already guessed it’s not much good for protection, either. Instead, scientists believe its purpose is to help control body temperature, changing the pinkish hue it has as environmental temperatures rise or fall.
Sources: Pink fairy armadillo crawls out of the desert and into your hearts, Pink Fairy Armadillo
