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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Wrap Around Spider, Named For Its Ability To Flatten And Wrap Its Body Around Tree Limbs
Spiderbro Guarding Me From Malaria Outside My Window
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.
Seaweed In The Waves
Xylaria Polymorpha, Commonly Known As Dead Man's Fingers, Is A Saprobic Fungus
A Firefly Kept Right On Flashing After Being Eaten By A Frog
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
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. :)
The Skeleton Of A Puffer Fish Is Pretty Metal
Damn Nature, You Scary...
A planting enthusiast wasn’t scared of anything, but when they found a skull of a 50 year old oojomaku breed, their life changed.
Rome Yesterday
My Mum's Toilet After A Recent Flood
I actually think those frogs are cute. Not the best place to find them, but not terrifying.
Snapdragon Seed Pods Look Like Skulls
Well, This is nature being nature! Fully of mystery and creativity!
Those Fishes Are Literally Lit
The Eyes And Teeth Of A Scallop
This Is A Hammerhead Bat And Is By Far The Creepiest Animal I've Seen
Well of course it's the baby of Donkey and his lady dragon from Shrek.
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This is not a creepy animal. It is a bat. A harmless fruit eating species. I hope this imbecile released it. It could be pregnant. I hate how ignorant people are about bats.
In a dark corner somewhere sprouting wings?
Load More Replies... If they wake you up in the middle of a good sleep and hold you like that, you'd look the same too.
THIS! lol first thing I saw was "Smokin joe" the camel lol
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Wouldn't yoube if someone was holding you up by the neck? Poor thing.
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I cant stop giggling at this. Lol. oh my Gosh! Its just so. Well...... yep. Hahaha. Its really strange. I did not know that bats and horses could mate. Lmbo.
That's the cutest face on a bat I've ever seen! Kinda looks like a horse!
Ditto. Well it prolly looks a little better. Tbh.
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This photo made me think that these creatures might have inspired people to place gargoyles on gothic buildings, especially since back then they probably thought these bats were demonic presences. But I'm not sure where this species can be found so I might be highly inaccurate.
Or just fruit bats in Africa! Bats are vital in pollination and dispersal of seeds.
No it's not. I've seen way creepier humans... In fact I see way creepier humans everyday almost everywhere.
Imagine that swooping over you head, it's huge and gives me the w*****s.
I don’t think it’s creepy at all! Goofy cute is my though about him/her.
This is most likely a hammer-headed bat. Native to New Guinea and the Bismark Archipelago, the world’s largest known species of modern-day bat is the Bismark fruit bat Pteropus neohibernicus, which sports an extremely impressive wingspan of up to approximately 5.5 ft, and there are several other fruit bat species with sizeable spans too. From: The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats: a huge example of P. neohibernicus from New Guinea preserved in the American Museum of Natural History, New York, has a head and body length of 455 mm 17.9 in and a span of 1.65 m 5 ft 5 in.
I lived in Sydney for ten years and every night flying foxes(giant black fruit bats) would fly overhead. It often felt like something out of a horror movie.
I'm so happy you said that cause it really does look like a donkey's face with a large set of wings ;=]]
If you think giant centipedes are fluffy, this bat might seem to be the creepiest animal for you...
Thats a great way to contract one of several deadly hemorrhagic diseases.
OMG Look at the size of that.. I am scared of bats, even little ones
Looks like one of the "brute men"! 10 points to whoever knows what that's from.
Where the hell do these things live? I mean because I NEVER want to accidentally go there!
How in the world can it fly with a head that big?? It looks like a bug eyed horse. Lol
Holy s**t! I've watched A LOT of animal shows and I've never seen this hellish creature before.
My Gecko Ate His Tail
This Is Why You Always Have To Check The Toilet In Australia
That's a long pile of s**t! Someone is eating too much fibres!
These Plants Look Like Tiny Hands
The Clathrus Archeri Fungus Resembles Some Pretty Metal Tentacles Sprouting From An Alien Egg When It Blooms
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.
Currently Renovating Our Floors. Seems Everyone Has Come Out Of Hiding
That was in your house and you just chilled and took a picture of it. Your bravery has no end
All I Know Is That It Needs To Burn
I feel quite sorry for them really as they're just trying not to drown
Deer Skull After Sitting In Water For Over A Year
The Frog That Caught A Spider
...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.
A Leopard Seal Peering Through A Veil Of Plankton
Acid Spitting Ants
Articulated Cobra Skeleton
Wow, whoever put it together, must be having most non-shaking hands in the world.
Black Swallower Died Trying To Eat A Fish 4 Times Its Size
The Statue Being Swallowed By A Tree
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
A Lizard Eating A Cockroach Alive At My House Porch
My Dad Sent Me This Photo. Water Mocassin? Tennessee
Give a snake a fish an he'll eat it. Teach a snake to fish and he'll become the fishing rod.
Attack Of Legionary Ants (Also Known As Army Ants Or Marabunta) To A Wasp Honeycomb
Chameleon Mummified Alive By The Tropical Sun
The Inside Of A Gooses Mouth
Well, I knew they have teeth, but I didn't know they have some on the tongue as well!
This Snake Covered In Ticks
These New Fish Species Can Survive In Volcanoes And They’re The Stuff Of Nightmares
After A Weekend Storm In New England, A Puffer Fish Was Found In A Tree
The Lamprey Fish
A Mother Whip Spider Carrying Her Babies On Her Back
5-Legged Frog That Lives In The Marsh Behind Our Neighborhood
This Hornets Nest Looks Kind Of Like A Hornet’s Head
Dolphin Caught A Squid, Trailing The Ink Behind It
A Jungle Perch With A Surprise
Lavafall
This Spider Web That Looks Like A Spider-Man Mask
The Giant Isopod, Found In The Deep Seas And Is An Example Of Deep-Sea Gigantism
One Big Spider
Goliath Tiger Fish, Congo River
When you boss tells you a joke which isn't funny at all, but you gotta pretend its funny as heck!
Sweet Potato Creepily Resembles Human Heart
The Largest Scar You'll Ever See
Close Up Of Moth Outside My Window
Note: this post originally had 73 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
Bored Panda please take note. We want more of this stuff and less of the Halle Berry yoga nonsense.
something flew in my ear whiilst scrolling lol
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Please don't put anymore frozen animals on here. It makes my heart hurt.
Because I'm best friends with piper but after Jason's death she hasn't been the same
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Just scrolled down to the comments, I didn't want to see the list after a few pics
anyone seen the picture of all those spiders in the tree after a flood or something a few years back?
These are informative, educational&facinating as well as entertaining...More please...
Would you rather have then in the evening before going to bed?
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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)?
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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I liked the scary ones, but please stop with the frozen animals, they're sad not scary....
Bored Panda please take note. We want more of this stuff and less of the Halle Berry yoga nonsense.
something flew in my ear whiilst scrolling lol
Load More Replies... Please don't put anymore frozen animals on here. It makes my heart hurt.
Because I'm best friends with piper but after Jason's death she hasn't been the same
Load More Replies... Just scrolled down to the comments, I didn't want to see the list after a few pics
anyone seen the picture of all those spiders in the tree after a flood or something a few years back?
These are informative, educational&facinating as well as entertaining...More please...
Would you rather have then in the evening before going to bed?
Load More Replies... 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)?
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... I liked the scary ones, but please stop with the frozen animals, they're sad not scary....
