Listen to Smarty Pants newest narrator, Pranamya, as she takes us through the world of some wonderfully weird pets!

Pets are great!

You may even have one yourself. There are many different types of animals we keep as pets. The most popular are dogs, cats, rodents, birds, fish, and reptiles. But did you know there are some people that have some extraordinary critters?

Check out these wonderfully weird pets.

The Fennec Fox

The little fox may be the smallest member of the fox family, but its ears are huge. Each one measures 6 inches in length (15 cm). The body of the Fennec Fox is cream-colored with a black tip on the tail.

• Size: 2.2 to 3.3 pounds (1 to 1.5 kg)
• Origins: Sahara and North Africa
• Wonderfully Weird Fact: Can go a long time without water.

Did You Know? The Fennec Fox’s feet are like shovels. This helps it dig burrows in the sand.

The Hermit Crab

Although this soft-bodied critter wears a shell, it’s not his own. As the Hermit Crab grows, it looks for a more roomy shell to move into.

• Size: Varies
• Origins: All around the world
• Wonderfully Weird Fact: Females carry their mass of eggs on their bellies.

Did You Know? There are more than 500 species of the Hermit Crab.

The Stick Bug

True to its name, this bug looks like a long, thin, gnarled stick. Some species of the Stick Bug have wings, while others have spines and tubercles (protruding bumps) covering their bodies.

• Size: 0.5 to 12.9 inches long (12.7 to 33 cm)
• Origins: New Zealand
• Wonderfully Weird Fact: Can drop a limb to escape danger

Did You Know? When attacked, this insect can produce a nasty substance that tastes awful to its predator.

The Skunk

This little stinker produces a very smelly, oily spray to scare away predators. The Skunk comes in black with white stripes down the back. Other species have spots or swirly-patterns in black and white.

• Size: 0.4 to 14 pounds (0.2 to 6.5 kg).
• Origins: United States
• Wonderfully Weird Fact: The spray of a Skunk can reach up to 10 feet (3 m).

Did You Know? Skunks love honey and will attack beehives to get it.

The Kinkajou

This odd animal has a long prehensile tail it uses to grip branches. It also has a long thin tongue it uses to slurp up honey and nab termites from their nests. It is related to the Racoon.

• Size: 3 to 7 pounds (1 to 3 kg).
• Origins: Central and South America
• Wonderfully Weird Fact: Can turn its feet backward for easy running and gripping.

Did You Know? Kinkajous make both screeching and barking sounds.

These pets may be weird, but they’re still wonderful in their own way.

Would you like to own one of these odd creatures? Tell us about it in the comments section.