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While we as humans continue to try (and fail) to live in peace and harmony, it is worth remembering that the world around us is a brutal, unforgiving place.
We have tamed our lives to such an extent that it is easy to turn a blind eye to the horrors of nature, sure, we as a species are far more damaging to our planet than all others put together, but let's not pretend that it's all sweetness and light out there!
This list, compiled by Bored Panda, is a reminder that we live in a scary world. Some of these things are simply wonders of nature that we may not like the look of, like spiders and centipedes. Some show the raw power of the elements, while others illustrate the horrific things that other creatures to do each other in order to survive. All of these things are awe-inspiring examples of nature, something not to be feared, but to be respected. Scroll down below to check them out for yourself, and let us know what you think in the comments!
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#1
Wrap Around Spider, Named For Its Ability To Flatten And Wrap Its Body Around Tree Limbs
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#2
Spiderbro Guarding Me From Malaria Outside My Window
Zori the degu 7 years ago
I love "pet" spiders, as I call them. They live in one corner of your apartment, feed on insects and sometimes climb down to investigate your belongings. If I happen to become roommates with one, I always make a point to leave some water for it to drink, if it needs it. My favourite spider of this kind used to live in my mom's bedroom. It only had 5 legs and we named it Oggie. The tiny spider loved to crawl on my mom's sketches(she's an engineer) and kept her company. I was 5 at the time and it was one of the first examples of invertebrates' personalities I was to see.
#4
Xylaria Polymorpha, Commonly Known As Dead Man's Fingers, Is A Saprobic Fungus
#5
A Firefly Kept Right On Flashing After Being Eaten By A Frog
#6
This Frog Was Found All Dried Up And Withered Outside The Store In The Morning... The Store Manager Said, "Let's Try Splashing Some Water On It," And Holy Sh*t It Came Back To Life
Zori the degu 7 years ago
Something similar happened to me once, but well, the other way round. I was on a sea holiday and came upon a large blue dragonfly, drowned in the sea. Now, I was saddened for the poor thing, but also ecstatic, for I have a collection of pinned insects, all of which were found dead, for I just can't bring myself to kill alive ones for the purpose. I carried it around in my palm, wondering where exactly was I to put it, for I didn't have any other dragonflies and the thing was huge. Suddenly, it moved! A second later, again! It became progressively more active, until it could stand on its legs and turn his head around in curiosity! I separated its wings carefully(they stuck to each other from the salty water) and it shook itself a little. I left it cleaning itself on an oak on a quiet path and I do hope it recovered completely. :)
#7
The Skeleton Of A Puffer Fish Is Pretty Metal
#8
Damn Nature, You Scary...
Luna rivers 7 years ago
A planting enthusiast wasn’t scared of anything, but when they found a skull of a 50 year old oojomaku breed, their life changed.
#10
My Mum's Toilet After A Recent Flood
Nadja Lambacher 7 years ago
I actually think those frogs are cute. Not the best place to find them, but not terrifying.
#11
Snapdragon Seed Pods Look Like Skulls
Ladies and Gentlemen 7 years ago
Well, This is nature being nature! Fully of mystery and creativity!
#12
Those Fishes Are Literally Lit
#13
The Eyes And Teeth Of A Scallop
#14
This Is A Hammerhead Bat And Is By Far The Creepiest Animal I've Seen
#15
My Gecko Ate His Tail
#16
This Is Why You Always Have To Check The Toilet In Australia
Ladies and Gentlemen 7 years ago
That's a long pile of s**t! Someone is eating too much fibres!
#17
These Plants Look Like Tiny Hands
#18
The Clathrus Archeri Fungus Resembles Some Pretty Metal Tentacles Sprouting From An Alien Egg When It Blooms
Ladies and Gentlemen 7 years ago
I have watched too many alien movies which have gutted my mind to point that I refuse to believe its a plant! Fck me, I am running from here and calling ARMY, NAVY or fckng SWAT team.
#19
Currently Renovating Our Floors. Seems Everyone Has Come Out Of Hiding
MeggersTheFox 7 years ago
That was in your house and you just chilled and took a picture of it. Your bravery has no end
#20
All I Know Is That It Needs To Burn
Sarah Cleaver 7 years ago
I feel quite sorry for them really as they're just trying not to drown
#21
Deer Skull After Sitting In Water For Over A Year
#22
The Frog That Caught A Spider
Braineating Spleen 7 years ago
...that wriggled and wriggled and jiggled inside her. She swallowed the spider to catch the fly. I don't know why she swallowed the fly, perhaps she'll die.
#23
A Leopard Seal Peering Through A Veil Of Plankton
#24
Acid Spitting Ants
Zenozenobee 7 years ago
The real question is who the f*** decide to put these ants on is hand and tingle them until they spit acid on his skin?
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Dian Ella Lillie 7 years ago
It's formic acid, which is similar to vinegar. It's the chemical that gives ants their stinky smell when they're crushed.
Timothy Mathews 7 years ago
I always wondered what that smell was. Most people I know can't smell ants but I can. I once had ants in my ice cream and didn't realise it. I will never forget the taste or the smell. Fire ants, I hate. Their bite is quite bad. I got bitten by some in Queensland when I was very little. Not fun. Not deadly, but I don't like pain.
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Miriam Adams 7 years ago
definitely WORSE than Fire Ants!! they only BITE you and give you blisters but SPITTING? yikes
Timothy Mathews 7 years ago
I don't think many of the respondents know how many different types of acid there are. Orange Juice has acid in it. Pineapples have acid in them. Every carbonated drink has carbonic acid. Vinegar doesn't hurt nor do the other kinds we eat and drink.
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Monika Soffronow 7 years ago
Formica rufa, also known as the red wood ant, southern wood ant, or horse ant, is a boreal member of the Formica rufa group of ants, and is the type species for that group. It is native to Europe and Anatolia[2] but is also found in North America,[3] in both coniferous and broad-leaf broken woodland and parkland.[3] Workers are bicolored red and brownish-black, with a dorsal dark patch on the head and promensonotum,[3] and are polymorphic, measuring 4.5–9 mm in length.[3] They have large mandibles and like many other ant species they are able to spray formic acid from their abdomens as a defence.[3] Formic acid was first extracted in 1671 by the English naturalist John Ray by distilling a large number of crushed ants of this species.[4]
Jesse Musil 7 years ago
im assuming they come from Australia like every other scary a*s animal?
Sol Connor 7 years ago
I think the question is... What the f*** are you letting them do on your hand?!!!
Marlowe Fitzpatrik 7 years ago
They don't hurt, only when they bite you in the soft parts. I wouldn't put os many on my hand, but even if they all bit you, there's nothing dangerous there.
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Allison Gilbert-Heron 4 years ago
Birds know this and will use the Formica acid that ants spray to rid themselves of parasites!
Debra Stanfield 7 years ago
Where are these animals & insects located in the World? I never knew they existed
Midna Geno 7 years ago
Ummmmm should you just let them shoot you with acid? Yeah? Okay then, carry on...
Timothy Mathews 7 years ago
There are many different types of acid. Orange Juice has acid in it. Pineapples have acid in them. Every carbonated drink has carbonic acid. Vinegar doesn't hurt nor do the other kinds we eat and drink.
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Max L. 7 years ago
Probably not if not directly into eyes or mouth, altough that is a relatively small quantity compared to the size of a human predator. On a beetle size, probably more damage on live flesh like eyes etc.
Load More Replies... #25
Articulated Cobra Skeleton
Ladies and Gentlemen 7 years ago
Wow, whoever put it together, must be having most non-shaking hands in the world.
#26
Black Swallower Died Trying To Eat A Fish 4 Times Its Size
#27
The Statue Being Swallowed By A Tree
A random Goat 7 years ago
Once upon a time there was a man who did very bad things. The emperor turned him into a statue and trapped him in a tree. If he's freed the whole world is doomed. I made up this story
#28
A Lizard Eating A Cockroach Alive At My House Porch
#29
My Dad Sent Me This Photo. Water Mocassin? Tennessee
Sally Appleton 7 years ago
Give a snake a fish an he'll eat it. Teach a snake to fish and he'll become the fishing rod.
#30
Attack Of Legionary Ants (Also Known As Army Ants Or Marabunta) To A Wasp Honeycomb
#31
Chameleon Mummified Alive By The Tropical Sun
#32
The Inside Of A Gooses Mouth
Zori the degu 7 years ago
Well, I knew they have teeth, but I didn't know they have some on the tongue as well!
#33
This Snake Covered In Ticks
#34
These New Fish Species Can Survive In Volcanoes And They’re The Stuff Of Nightmares
#35
After A Weekend Storm In New England, A Puffer Fish Was Found In A Tree
#36
The Lamprey Fish
#37
A Mother Whip Spider Carrying Her Babies On Her Back
#38
5-Legged Frog That Lives In The Marsh Behind Our Neighborhood
#39
This Hornets Nest Looks Kind Of Like A Hornet’s Head
#40
Dolphin Caught A Squid, Trailing The Ink Behind It
#41
A Jungle Perch With A Surprise
#43
This Spider Web That Looks Like A Spider-Man Mask
#44
The Giant Isopod, Found In The Deep Seas And Is An Example Of Deep-Sea Gigantism
#45
One Big Spider
#47
Goliath Tiger Fish, Congo River
Ladies and Gentlemen 7 years ago
When you boss tells you a joke which isn't funny at all, but you gotta pretend its funny as heck!
#48
Sweet Potato Creepily Resembles Human Heart
#49
The Largest Scar You'll Ever See
#50
Close Up Of Moth Outside My Window
#51
Something Took Two Clean Bites Out Of This Poor Sea Ravioli
#52
When Mozilla Freezes
#53
Ant On My Porch Carrying The Head Of His Vanquished Enemy
#54
Eels In The Stream At Battle Hill Farm
#55
Found Out The House We Are Living In Has A Bunker Below. I Managed To Squeeze My Phone In One Of The Cracks Of The Door To Take This Creepy Picture
Mark Fergel 7 years ago
Several names. Camel crickets in my area. Dang things are a pain in the b***.
#56
Found An Icicle Held Only By A Spider's Web
#57
Found In Mexico. Battle To The Death
#58
Oregon Fires Next To A Golf Course
#59
My Inlaws Are In A Bit Of A Froggy Situation Right Now
#60
G'day Mates, Let's Be Friendssss!
#61
A Lizard On Its Final Journey
#62
Something Crawled Through The Keyhole And Made A Hive In The Garage Door Handle
#63
These Ants Forming A Question Mark
#64
Thousands Of Mosquitos Outside Of My Window At Work
#65
Bleeding Tree
#66
So My Friend Got Something In His Eye While We Were Walking Home
brown_panda 7 years ago
and you took a picture instead of getting it out. wow! we r intelligent beings.
#67
This Sick Washed Up Gar Skeleton I Found
Zori the degu 7 years ago
You kept it, didn't you? No, wait, there are probably laws for it, right? Gars are rare, after all. Pity, it's a nice skeleton for studies.
#68
Millions Of Fire Ants Floating In Flooding From Harvey
#69
Fireants Create A Floating Island Of Themselves To Ride Out The Houston Flooding
#70
This Coyote Froze Solid During The Recent Winter Storm (Pine Barrens, Southern New Jersey)
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What do you think ?
birdhouse 7 years ago
Bored Panda please take note. We want more of this stuff and less of the Halle Berry yoga nonsense.
Reneshen Ramiah 7 years ago
something flew in my ear whiilst scrolling lol
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Annabeth Chase 7 years ago
Please don't put anymore frozen animals on here. It makes my heart hurt.
DoctorStrange 7 years ago
Because I'm best friends with piper but after Jason's death she hasn't been the same
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Vivek Mhatre 7 years ago
Just scrolled down to the comments, I didn't want to see the list after a few pics
stellermatt 7 years ago
anyone seen the picture of all those spiders in the tree after a flood or something a few years back?
Johanna Kidd 7 years ago
These are informative, educational&facinating as well as entertaining...More please...
Ellis 7 years ago
Would you rather have then in the evening before going to bed?
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Parmeisan 7 years ago
What is with all these animals frozen in water? Water does not freeze that quickly. Surely they must all have been dead (or nearly so) when it got below 0 (Celsius)?
diane a 7 years ago
some of them are frozen standing up - spose that what happens in minud 50 degrees - nature is wonderful but extreme and takes no prisoners
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Avery Belisle 7 years ago
I liked the scary ones, but please stop with the frozen animals, they're sad not scary....
birdhouse 7 years ago
Bored Panda please take note. We want more of this stuff and less of the Halle Berry yoga nonsense.
Reneshen Ramiah 7 years ago
something flew in my ear whiilst scrolling lol
Load More Replies... Annabeth Chase 7 years ago
Please don't put anymore frozen animals on here. It makes my heart hurt.
DoctorStrange 7 years ago
Because I'm best friends with piper but after Jason's death she hasn't been the same
Load More Replies... Vivek Mhatre 7 years ago
Just scrolled down to the comments, I didn't want to see the list after a few pics
stellermatt 7 years ago
anyone seen the picture of all those spiders in the tree after a flood or something a few years back?
Johanna Kidd 7 years ago
These are informative, educational&facinating as well as entertaining...More please...
Ellis 7 years ago
Would you rather have then in the evening before going to bed?
Load More Replies... Parmeisan 7 years ago
What is with all these animals frozen in water? Water does not freeze that quickly. Surely they must all have been dead (or nearly so) when it got below 0 (Celsius)?
diane a 7 years ago
some of them are frozen standing up - spose that what happens in minud 50 degrees - nature is wonderful but extreme and takes no prisoners
Load More Replies... Avery Belisle 7 years ago
I liked the scary ones, but please stop with the frozen animals, they're sad not scary....
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