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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!

#1

Wrap Around Spider, Named For Its Ability To Flatten And Wrap Its Body Around Tree Limbs

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

Spiderbro Guarding Me From Malaria Outside My Window

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Zori the degu
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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#4

Xylaria Polymorpha, Commonly Known As Dead Man's Fingers, Is A Saprobic Fungus

Xylaria Polymorpha, Commonly Known As Dead Man's Fingers, Is A Saprobic Fungus

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Hans
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can almost feel them reaching for your feet...first gently stroking, then all of a sudden gripping fast...

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#5

A Firefly Kept Right On Flashing After Being Eaten By A Frog

A Firefly Kept Right On Flashing After Being Eaten By A Frog

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#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

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

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Zori the degu
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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. :)

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#8

Damn Nature, You Scary...

Damn Nature, You Scary...

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Luna rivers
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A planting enthusiast wasn’t scared of anything, but when they found a skull of a 50 year old oojomaku breed, their life changed.

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#10

My Mum's Toilet After A Recent Flood

My Mum's Toilet After A Recent Flood

everything-idiotic Report

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Nadja Lambacher
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I actually think those frogs are cute. Not the best place to find them, but not terrifying.

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#11

Snapdragon Seed Pods Look Like Skulls

Snapdragon Seed Pods Look Like Skulls

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#12

Those Fishes Are Literally Lit

Those Fishes Are Literally Lit

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#14

This Is A Hammerhead Bat And Is By Far The Creepiest Animal I've Seen

This Is A Hammerhead Bat And Is By Far The Creepiest Animal I've Seen

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#16

This Is Why You Always Have To Check The Toilet In Australia

This Is Why You Always Have To Check The Toilet In Australia

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#18

The Clathrus Archeri Fungus Resembles Some Pretty Metal Tentacles Sprouting From An Alien Egg When It Blooms

The Clathrus Archeri Fungus Resembles Some Pretty Metal Tentacles Sprouting From An Alien Egg When It Blooms

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Ladies and Gentlemen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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#19

Currently Renovating Our Floors. Seems Everyone Has Come Out Of Hiding

Currently Renovating Our Floors. Seems Everyone Has Come Out Of Hiding

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MeggersTheFox
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That was in your house and you just chilled and took a picture of it. Your bravery has no end

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Dian Ella Lillie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A few commenters have asked - yes, it's Australian; it's a huntsman spider. Generally harmless and quiet, but occasionally they can have a real attitude. I once waled into a roon to see one on the oposite wall about 5 metres away, and the beastie reared up and waved its legs at me whichever direction I walked. And I once was bitten under the armpit by one that had crawled under my sheets - stung like a wasp and itched for two weeks, with the blood vessels in the area looking dark and swollen. I did put the poor thing outside though - I felt sorry for it being pressed against me...

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Dian Ella Lillie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, and to scare the pants off all the arachnophobes - these things run like the blazes. The beastie in the photo could probably go from ceiling to floor in less than a couple of seconds if it had a mind to...

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Delgada
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is hunsman spider. They like wooded stuff and eat cockroaches and crickets. Their bite is painful but in most cases not life threatening - it just swells locally and it's gone in a few days.

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LilicatUK
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anything that eats cockroaches is automatically my best friend!

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Jaekry
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I literally dropped my phone when my thumb almost touched this spider while scrolling!

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brown_panda
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

is that a wolf spider? arent they harmless? i find it kinda cool actually :x

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Cassie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a huntsman, which get much bigger than wolf spiders. Both are non-venomous. I prefer both to be outside, not inside.

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Elizabeth Lord Cary
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

seriously??? that thing is gigantic! Inside the house? *buys a flamethrower*

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Celental Midnight
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! OH HELL NO! I'M MOVING M***********S!!!!!

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Naima Ivansdóttir
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

did i say renovating? i'm sorry, i really meant setting everything on fire and leave the country for good.

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Tom Hardeveld
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

...so I thought I'd make a last picture before I burned down the house ...with a nuke... ...from orbit...

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GFSTaylor
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dear god. Now I need to look at pictures of kittens, or I won't be able to sleep tonight.

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Ford Summit
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People ask me why I have a gun sometimes... this is one of the reasons. After all, you're already renovating.

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SBW71
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are brave! I would have ran out without taking a picture

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Sandy Herman
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As long as they don't touch me I'm good. Had a similar spider in bungalow while on vacation in Costa Rica, it ran when I got out of bed. Couldn't find it so went back to sleep. NON issue.

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Liz Sahlin Johansson
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But f-ck!!! This is still from Australia right??? The OTHER reason I refuse a trip to Down Under! The first lay in the toilet above!

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ThatGirlHayley
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dream: "oh no im scared of you Mr. Human ima run off out!" Reality: "GET OUT OF MA HOU- GET OFF MEEEEEE NOOOOOO!"

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Vinniegret
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where do you live? Hell? I'd be packing. (Shaking everything out first)

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Marnie Payne
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

HELL NO. so much NOPE. so much. HELL NOPE NOPE NOPE. GOD DAMN.

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Gabriel
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why spiders?! Why couldn't it be "follow the butterflies"?

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Elizabeth Mitchell
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's a huntsman spider. Harmless and shy, easily frightened. They are good to have in your garden. They live under tree bark and catch insects.

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Timothy Mathews
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I lived in Sydney for ten years. Never saw the deadly funnel web spider except in museums, but I did see two huntsman spiders. I took a picture and then got the bug spray. They were just outside my door in the 5th floor, and I was worried they'd come inside. Scary looking, but not dangerous.

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Elicio Ember
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Its clearly looking at the photographer... wondering what will the human do next.

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Ann Daley
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If I saw that in my house, I'd stop renovating the floors and move!

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rustic raven
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Damn just how many babies does she have ? no no a little to big for me ;=]]

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Debra Stanfield
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Holy Mother..... 1-800-TERMINEX!!!! Pest control company in Florida

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Thrilled Panda
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I once saw a spider as big as a tiny tiny bowl, and freaked out know im FREAKED out

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Amanda Raynes
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Winter can be cold and harsh but I will gladly take it to have stuff like this die yearly.

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CelSlade
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That moment when your pride in beating your spider phobia is severely dented...

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Yasmin Janette
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How can you stay in the same building as this let alone the same room.

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Aileen Grist
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now that's been eating your insects! Pets? Children? It's beautiful

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Chris Sprucefield
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is a time and place for the use of a bazooka. This is both that .time and place.

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cwa92464
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And that is when you call State Farm and explain why you burned the house down. Completely justified situation

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alwaysMispelled
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No. No. No. No. NO. It is NOT fair. How can a country/continent have amazing animals like the Wombat and then also THIS??!!!!

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KT Trondsen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm sorry, but if there's one, there's more. You need to burn that house down!

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Jagarundi
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would move, put the house on the market and just move....

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Raeven Pech
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would have burned my house down right there and then!😱🙅‍♀️🙅‍♀️🙅‍♀️F**k that noise!!!😰

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Heather Johnson
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Huntsman spider? I've seen those in real life and they're f*****g terrifying.

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Mike Greco
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nuke the whole site from orbit, it's the only way to be sure.

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tarebear
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Headline: Man finds giant spider while renovating house and is killed after taking a picture and posting it to Bored Panda. Authorities believe spider are man alive as his body still has not been found

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Carmen Elena
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ok this is the most incredible and horrible creature I´ve ever seen...

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My O My
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I read the wikipedia article and don't feel any better

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#20

All I Know Is That It Needs To Burn

All I Know Is That It Needs To Burn

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#21

Deer Skull After Sitting In Water For Over A Year

Deer Skull After Sitting In Water For Over A Year

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#22

The Frog That Caught A Spider

The Frog That Caught A Spider

Dan-68 Report

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Braineating Spleen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

...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.

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#23

A Leopard Seal Peering Through A Veil Of Plankton

A Leopard Seal Peering Through A Veil Of Plankton

Bill Curtsinger Report

#24

Acid Spitting Ants

Acid Spitting Ants

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Ellis
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What the f***!?! Do these exist? What part of evolution came up with that?

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#25

Articulated Cobra Skeleton

Articulated Cobra Skeleton

beckhard Report

#26

Black Swallower Died Trying To Eat A Fish 4 Times Its Size

Black Swallower Died Trying To Eat A Fish 4 Times Its Size

Xavimoose Report

#27

The Statue Being Swallowed By A Tree

The Statue Being Swallowed By A Tree

edward Report

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A random Goat
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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#28

A Lizard Eating A Cockroach Alive At My House Porch

A Lizard Eating A Cockroach Alive At My House Porch

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#29

My Dad Sent Me This Photo. Water Mocassin? Tennessee

My Dad Sent Me This Photo. Water Mocassin? Tennessee

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Sally Appleton
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Give a snake a fish an he'll eat it. Teach a snake to fish and he'll become the fishing rod.

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#30

Attack Of Legionary Ants (Also Known As Army Ants Or Marabunta) To A Wasp Honeycomb

Attack Of Legionary Ants (Also Known As Army Ants Or Marabunta) To A Wasp Honeycomb

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#31

Chameleon Mummified Alive By The Tropical Sun

Chameleon Mummified Alive By The Tropical Sun

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#32

The Inside Of A Gooses Mouth

The Inside Of A Gooses Mouth

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Zori the degu
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, I knew they have teeth, but I didn't know they have some on the tongue as well!

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#33

This Snake Covered In Ticks

This Snake Covered In Ticks

s18m Report

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Ellis
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Didn’t think I could ever feel sorry for a snake, until I saw this post...

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#34

These New Fish Species Can Survive In Volcanoes And They’re The Stuff Of Nightmares

These New Fish Species Can Survive In Volcanoes And They’re The Stuff Of Nightmares

csiro Report

#35

After A Weekend Storm In New England, A Puffer Fish Was Found In A Tree

After A Weekend Storm In New England, A Puffer Fish Was Found In A Tree

bassistmuzikman Report

#37

A Mother Whip Spider Carrying Her Babies On Her Back

A Mother Whip Spider Carrying Her Babies On Her Back

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#38

5-Legged Frog That Lives In The Marsh Behind Our Neighborhood

5-Legged Frog That Lives In The Marsh Behind Our Neighborhood

brykupono Report

#39

This Hornets Nest Looks Kind Of Like A Hornet’s Head

This Hornets Nest Looks Kind Of Like A Hornet’s Head

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#40

Dolphin Caught A Squid, Trailing The Ink Behind It

Dolphin Caught A Squid, Trailing The Ink Behind It

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#43

This Spider Web That Looks Like A Spider-Man Mask

This Spider Web That Looks Like A Spider-Man Mask

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#44

The Giant Isopod, Found In The Deep Seas And Is An Example Of Deep-Sea Gigantism

The Giant Isopod, Found In The Deep Seas And Is An Example Of Deep-Sea Gigantism

TCIGOD Report

#45

One Big Spider

One Big Spider

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#47

Goliath Tiger Fish, Congo River

Goliath Tiger Fish, Congo River

PrestonGarvey1 Report

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Ladies and Gentlemen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When you boss tells you a joke which isn't funny at all, but you gotta pretend its funny as heck!

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#48

Sweet Potato Creepily Resembles Human Heart

Sweet Potato Creepily Resembles Human Heart

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#49

The Largest Scar You'll Ever See

The Largest Scar You'll Ever See

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#50

Close Up Of Moth Outside My Window

Close Up Of Moth Outside My Window

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Note: this post originally had 73 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

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