Mullets are the kind of hairstyle that either looks amazing or awful. When you think of mullets, you probably picture an awkward haircut or an outdated 80s trend that looks straight out of the Crocodile Dundee movies.
However, some animals have mullet creatures with oddly placed tufts of hair on their heads and back to keep them warm in cold temperatures or make themselves look bigger when they want to intimidate their enemies. Check out this list of 16 animals with strange mullets and see if they look familiar!
1) Pine Marten
The pine marten is a small, agile mammal found in northern woodlands. The most distinguishing feature of the pine marten is its long, bushy tail, up to 18 inches long! But that’s not all… this little creature also sports a mullet!
The back half of the pine marten’s body is covered in thick, dark fur, while the front half is a lighter brown. This strange hairstyle is thought to help the pine marten camouflage itself in the trees. But we don’t need to wonder why it has a mullet because it was cool.
2) North American Porcupine
The North American porcupine is a small rodent with a coat of sharp quills. But what makes this animal truly unique is its hairstyle: a mullet. The porcupine’s mullet has a long, bushy tail and a short, spiky mane.
This strange hairstyle is thought to help the porcupine communicate with other members of its
species. When a porcupine shakes its mullet, it sends a warning signal saying, ” Back off! I’m not afraid to use my spikes as weapons!
In addition, these hairs may also act as an early-warning system for detecting predators from a distance.
3) European Porcupine
The European porcupine is a small rodent with a black and white fur coat. But what makes this animal strange is its hairstyle: the porcupine has a mullet! The front half of its body is covered in quills, while the back half has long, shaggy hair.
This unique hairstyle helps the porcupine blend in with its forest and African Savanna habitats. While it is found throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia, the European Porcupine’s range extends as far east as Japan.
4) Striped Hyena
The striped hyena is a weird animal. It’s got a mane of shaggy hair, and its backside is covered in a mullet-like tuft of hair. This tuft is used to attract mates – the more impressive the tuft, the more likely the hyena is to find a mate.
But why do they have this strange hairstyle? Scientists believe the hyena’s ancestors lived in cold climates and needed extra insulation to stay warm. Today, hyenas live in Africa and Asia, where it’s not particularly cold – but they’ve kept their mullets.
5) Lion-Tailed Macaque
The lion-tailed macaque is a monkey native to the Western Ghats of South India. The males of this species have long, flowing hair on their heads and tails that they use to attract mates.
While the mullet may be stylish to some, it serves an important purpose for these monkeys. The long hair protects them from the harsh sun and helps them blend in with their forest surroundings.
6) Honey Badger
The honey badger is a member of the weasel family and is native to Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent. It’s known for its fierce attitude and ability to take down prey much larger than itself, but it’s also known for its mullet.
That’s right, this feisty little creature sports a hairdo that would make any ’80s metalhead proud. The honey badger doesn’t care what you think of its hairstyle; it’s too busy being awesome.
7) Eastern Chipmunk
The Eastern Chipmunk is a small, striped rodent found in North America. It’s easily recognized by its reddish-brown fur and white stripes running down its back. But perhaps the most distinctive feature of this animal is its hairstyle: a short, spiky mullet on top and a long, flowing mane on the sides and back.
While the mullet may not be the most stylish hairdo, it serves an important purpose for the chipmunk. The long hair on the sides and back helps keep the animal warm in cold weather, while the shorter spikes on top protect it from predators.
8) Cape Fur Seal
The Cape fur seal is a species of eared seal native to the coasts of southern Africa. They are one of the largest members of the fur seal family, with males reaching up to 2.3m in length and weighing up to 350kg.
Cape fur seals have a thick coat of dark brown or black fur, which is lighter on the underside. The most distinctive feature of this species is their long, bushy ‘mullet’ – a mane of hair that runs from the top of their head down their back. This distinctive hairstyle has made them a popular target for hunters, who have decimated their populations in some areas. However, thanks to conservation efforts, Cape fur seal populations are slowly rebounding.
9) Gray Seal
The gray seal is a large member of the true seal family and can be found near coasts in the northern Atlantic and Pacific oceans. They get their name from their coat, which is usually silver-gray but can also be brownish.
These animals are also known for their amazing mullets! The hair on their head is short and sleek, while the hair on their back and tail is long and coarse. This unique hairstyle helps to keep them warm in cold water and provides camouflage when hunting for food.
10) Strap-Tailed Moth
The Strap-Tailed Moth has one of the unique mullets in the animal kingdom. This species of moth is found in Australia and parts of Asia. The male moth has a long, thin tail that can be up to three times the length of its body. The tail is used to attract mates.
Males with longer tails are more appealing to females. When the male and female meet, they will mate, and the female will lay her eggs on the ground. The larvae will hatch and feed on plants for several months before pupating into adults.
11) Aquatic Leaf-Nosed Bat
These guys have one of the most impressive mullets in the animal kingdom! The Aquatic Leaf-nosed Bat is a bat found in Central and South America. They get their name from their large, leaf-like noses, which help them sniff out their prey.
But it’s their mullets that set them apart from other bats. These magnificent creatures sport long, flowing locks that make any 80s rocker proud. So if you’re lucky enough to spot one of these bats, give them a good hair day!
12) Greater Flamingo
The greater flamingo sports one of the most impressive mullets in the animal kingdom. This majestic bird is native to Africa and can be found near lakes and wetlands. The greater flamingo’s mullet consists of long, sleek feathers that extend down its back and cover its tail. This colorful bird is a sight to behold, and its magnificent mullet is truly a work of art.
13) Oldsquaw Duck
The Oldsquaw Duck, also known as the Long-tailed Duck, is a North American waterfowl. The male Oldsquaw Duck has one of the most amazing mullets in the animal kingdom! The back of his head and neck are black, while the rest of his body is white.
The tail is extremely long, and it looks like he has astreamer behind him when he flies. The female Oldsquaw Duck is much less flashy, with a brownish body and a shorter tail. But she still has a pretty sweet mullet!
14) Aardvark
The aardvark is a medium-sized, burrowing mammal native to Africa. It’s best known for its long, tubular snout, which it uses to sniff out ants and termites. But did you know that the aardvark also sports an impressive mullet?
That’s right – this unique animal has a mane of shaggy hair that extends from its head down its back. And we think it looks pretty darn cool!
15) American Bobtail Cat
The American Bobtail cat is a domestic cat breed characterized by a naturally bobbed tail. This breed also has a distinctively wild appearance, muscular body and large, expressive eyes. One of the most striking features of the American Bobtail is its unique mullet-like hairstyle.
The hair on their back and tail is shorter than the hair on their head and face, giving them a distinctive ’80s rocker look. While these may not be the most traditional cat breeds, there’s no denying that they have some of the most amazing mullets!
16) Leach’s Storm Petrel
The Leach’s Storm Petrel is a small seabird near North America’s Atlantic and Pacific coasts. These birds are named for their characteristic mullet hairstyle, which consists of a long, shaggy mane that covers their eyes. While they may look comical, mullets help these birds streamline their bodies
while in flight.
So not only do they have great hair, but they’re also amazing flyers!