50 Times People Had No Clue What They Were Looking At And This Online Community Had To Explain It To Them
The internet is a wonderful place. Sure, it has a few rotten folks trying to spread their toxicity, but a big part of it is also made up of helpful and kind-hearted individuals who are more than willing to share their knowledge and expertise.
This is especially true in communities like 'What Is This?', where amateur and experienced sleuths come together to identify the things that people ask them to, no matter how small or big.
One of the most interesting aspects of this subreddit is the variety of mysteries that are posted. From bizarre objects found in the backyard to even stranger creatures spotted in the wild, it has a little bit of everything.
So continue scrolling to check out some of the most interesting cases that these folks have solved. I promise, you will definitely learn a thing or two.
This post may include affiliate links.
A Seagull Dropped This Beside Me After I Gave It Some Bread
Answer: Some bird species (mostly crows) have been know to give gifts. You just got gifted an abalone shell from a seagull! How cool!
The last time I fed a seagull bread it went and pooped on my dad. Great times
Birds have learned to exchange goods and services with humans. It's my goal to establish bird friends in my community
Mine too. My beagles are making it very difficult though.
Load More Replies...crows have brought people money. I want to befriend one so bad and see what goodies it brings
For some reason, reading this made me happy 😍😍😍 Thanks! 🤗
I believe this long narrow mollusk is called a razor shell. Lovely thought that the bird admired it and gave it as a gift.
This is my dream! My middle daughter and I want to make friends with crows so they bring us trinkets.... for no other reason than we can! And we love animals!
Nice, I have never heard of a seagull doing this. They should make a pendant out of it.
YOUR seagulls give GIFTS? Our a***ole seagulls just steal our food... out of our hands!!!
Thrifted This T-Shirt And I Need Help Identifying What It Says Or Any Information About It
Answer: This is my old band’s t-shirt. My sister just sent me this link. We only made maybe(?) 2 orange shirts. Curious what thrift shop you found this in. We were based in Philly. Band broke up in 2010. I can confirm that it says Pariah which was the name of our band.
really. The fact that the picture found it's way to the creator is awesome
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Load More Replies...Someone who read the same as me!
Load More Replies...Interconnectivity is probably one of the main reasons why such a niche community can flourish. As smartphones and other internet-connected devices have become more widespread, 31% of U.S. adults now report that they go online "almost constantly."
Additionally, 85% of Americans say they go online on a daily basis. That figure includes the 31% who say they're online almost constantly, as well as 48% who say they go online several times a day and 6% who go online about once a day.
(Only about 8% go online several times a week or less often, while 7% of adults say they do not use the internet at all.)
My Girlfriend Took Her Dog For A Walk And Came Across This. What Is It? England, UK
Answer: Dolphin spine
That is SO cool. I love finding bones from ocean animals. Their skeletons are so unique and alien-like!
You know…. Before I read what it was, I honestly did not want to know. This looks a bit „nope“
The picture's on a beach, the tide will have washed it there
Load More Replies...Why Is There A Fingerprint On This Penny? It’s Embedded In And Is Worn Down Noticeably In That Area
Answer: Some people have particularly corrosive skin oils. I used to work in a machine shop, and we called those people, "rusters," and you never let them touch your tools. Rusters don't just rust steel, they also corrode brass, copper, bronze, aluminum, zink, etc. If a ruster used your parallels or square and you didn't clean and oil it right away, the rusted fingerprints etched into the steel would show up within a few hours. I'm guessing a ruster touched that penny at some point, after which is was left untouched for an extended period of time
Also blur book ink and tarnish paper. I'm a ruster and used to be an avid reader. Destroyed a lot of books despite my best attempts 😭
Load More Replies...This led me down an amazing rabbit hole in which I have now learned that hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating unrelated to body temp or exertion, which is a common factor in all 'rusters') is being treated successfully by using electrical impulses which stop the sweating for weeks (or supposedly even months?) at a time, with devices that can be used in-home and cost less than $1k. Wow!!
Husband stopped (broke) analog watches, and his skin actually ate through his wedding ring.
"Rusters" sounds like a fantasy term for a super powered human...so cool it's a real life thing
I am a ruster (never realized there was a term for it). Couldn't wear those old style western shirts with the metal buttons as they would start to corrode (any garment with metal on it will start to corrode over time). Same thing for anything metal I work with (except stainless steel). That and I can focus and stop my hiccups. Those are my super powers. Thanks Universe.....
In an Orson Scott Card book Lost and Found they would call it a micropower.
Load More Replies...Never knew that! It reminds me of a curse in a fantasy game... the curse of rusting metal by touch.
I believe one of my friends has a flute that used to be owned by one of these people; there’s marks on the flute where your fingers that you don’t use on keys rest, and I think on the thumb key. She mentioned something about the old owner having something like this when I asked
Please Identify This Bird My Parents Saw In Their Backyard
Answer: Its a Golden Pheasant
I've only ever seen those at the zoo! Normally they have a long beautiful tail - maybe this one's a youngster?
Good chance, but there are feral populations in many different countries (including UK, USA and Australia)
Load More Replies...I imagine someone either pulled the feathers out to sell, or he dropped them when he was grabbed as a self defense mechanism.
But just because people can, doesn't mean they should simply flood the subreddit with all of the objects they can't identify.
The community would like everyone to:
- Post a clear, well-lit, in-focus, large-format image;
- Photograph small items from up close;
- Photograph large items from a proper distance enough to see them in full;
- Since the manufacturer's markings help them immensely (even if they look like gibberish to you), remember that you can typically locate them on the bottom, base, or underside of an object;
- Keep in mind that production tags, inserts, or attachments such as a labels or stamps also help them identify objects.
Figurine Found Buried Under A Tree In Alberta
Answer: That definitely looks like indigenous First Nations art. I would take it to a local Historical Society or other agency to be looked at.
Oh yeah. If any single object could unleash an ancient American Indian curse, it would be that.
Load More Replies...Archaeology major: you've removed it from its context; go ahead and have it looked at, but don't expect it to be worth anything. You might tell them where you found it, though, so the site can be properly investigated.
My brain went 'its a super cookie you should eat it' so I think that I need to be kept away from all art
You're the reason they put up weird signs like "do not eat the art."
Load More Replies...It's a guardian watcher and was buried along with whatever else that it was supposed to protect. Keep digging around the area and you may find another relic if it hasn't deteriorated too much or completely.
Found This Spicy Guy While Hiking In Nc, Any Idea What Type Of Lizard He Is?
Answer: Red eft
He looks like a little fireball :3 Edit: mommy I’m famous
Oh my darling, I haven't seen one in so long! The red eft is an adolescent newt. Born in water, live on land for a while, return to live in water evermore, turning green in the process. Never touch an amphibian unless your hands are free of bug spray: they absorb it through their skins and it harms them.
Thank you Patricia-like frogs? Permeable skin. I love such lovely little buggers.
Load More Replies...As a rule I don't pick up insects especially bright coloured ones as that's nature saying danger. Next thing you are either tripping your face off or worse as you try to call for help you legs go then your face freezes...No one knows what you died of as your last words were "mmmmmmph"...
What Does This Mean ? I’m A So Confused English Is Not My First Language
Answer: It's a reference to a movie called Monty Python and the Holy Grail
"How do you know so much about swallows??" "Well, you have to know these things when you're a King, you know."
I'm glad I'm not the only one to notice that!
Load More Replies..."What ... is your favorite color?" "Blue. No! YellooOOOOOOWWWWW..."
I read somewhere that the enchanter was supposed to have a really long name. John Cleese couldn't remember it, so he just said "Tim."
Load More Replies..."If you are looking for a certain item for sale visit r/helpmefind," the rules of 'What Is This?' suggest. "We only identify."
"If there's a medical issue that concerns you to the point of posting about it online, you could try asking in r/AskDocs, r/Health, r/medical, or r/AskVet. But you should be seeking professional help, not amateur speculation."
"Our intent is to identify objects & items, not conditions, diseases, infections, or the like," the moderators of the subreddit explained.
I Know What It Is Not... They Are Pointy A Ribbed And They Have A Key Chain Ring On One End, Any Ideas?
Answer: It’s for self defense. Put it on your keychain
Also good for knocking out the car window if you need to get out of your car very fast. Like it's slowly sinking into the river you just drove into.
Came looking for this, which is the *actual* reason they exist. Self-defense became a secondary reason.
Load More Replies...Remember, nothing gets inserted if it doesn't have a flared base! (Also, pointy things lead to your emergency room doctor saying the words "perforated bowel", so maybe avoid them, too.)
also for breaking windows to rescue trapped people, animals
Load More Replies...You can also use just your keys. Hold the key ring in your hand and put a key between your fingers, they’ll be pointing out when you make a fist. A friend told me this when I was a teenager. I never needed to use them, but having them there made me feel like I had special powers. Even though I did not..
This may give you a feeling of safety, but it is not very useful in a real situation. You are more likely to must injure your hand from the keychain etc. digging into you than to do your attacker any real harm.
Load More Replies...What Is This Flag? Red, White, Black Triangle Logo
Answer: It's from Star Trek, it's the Klingon flag
Throw a tennis ball on their roof. If it bounces back but hits nothing, then they have a cloaked Bird of Prey on the roof
Woah woah I didn’t scroll fully to the picture and saw something COMPLETELY different
Given By Neighbor Who Doesn’t Speak English And I Don’t Speak Chinese
Answer: This is called Zizania Latifolia Aka Manchurian wild rice. You can cut it into slices and stir-fry for a minute or so, then cook it with some soy sauce until the flavor goes in a bit. It has a nice unique texture, firmer than zucchini.
When cooked, the taste and texture is similar to a bamboo shoot. They're delicious!
Load More Replies...It is 茭白 :) sort of a kind of mutated rice root and it’s super crunchy
Found By A Tree. Took Boy Home
Answer: It's a southern flying squirrel. About 2 weeks old. His eyes are still developing so dont try to open them. If you try to rehabilitate him, he will become very attached to you and requires a lot of attention and is also nocturnal.
According to OP on Reddit: "I took him in after he was alone overnight. He wouldn’t have made it much longer alone through the rain. Luckily, he’s now in the hands of a good friend and pod of rehabilitators, like you suggested!"
Load More Replies...Although flying squirrels (also known as sugar gliders) are not actually squirrels, they do make good pets in the same way squirrels are. (This is if you live in a place where it is legal - where I am keeping a "non-domesticated" animal as a pet is subject to a very heavy fine.)
Most squirrels aren't really good pets, they are super high energy and are very destructive. They also have some pretty specific needs that are difficult to fulfil. Sugar gliders, on the other hand, make great pets so long as you are able to give them a large enough enclosure and plenty of attention.
Load More Replies...We had a Baby Sugar Glider for the better part of a few days at my old job. One of my employees had a tree come down on his parent's property while they were away. Unfortunately as it was a large property their dogs made it to the two adults before anyone else could. Luckily for a 17 year old kid, he was smart enough to check if there was a baby in the pouch. There was a strict feeding schedule in place, so we'd all be taking turns making sure that the little one was fed properly, and kept warm. Apparently the comfort of sleeping in my bra made me the chosen one for naps. It did get a little awkward if she decided that she was hungry mid conversation with a customer, and had to hand the her over for feeding. Especially considering it was a video game store. Definitely glad that we were able to get her through the shock, and those first few days, until a wildlife carer was able to pick her up. I still miss her a lot. Her name was Garry.
i had one as a pet (bought from breeder), then many years later i got some when i was a rehabber.
How did you find their company? I'm not sure if I'm biased because of my own singular experience with temporary emergency care of a baby, but they truely are incredible animals.
Load More Replies...It eats fruit and bugs and needs a heat lamp and a pouch very dependent on u if u bond
I had one as a pet years ago. Oh I loved my little Mini. I was carry her around in my shirt pocket sometimes. I had make her a big cage with a tree in the center and had her a small nest made and I would put Spanish moss inside. They don’t have a very long life span but I had her for a few years. She was very young when I had gotten her.
Better to send it the people who knows how to care for this creature...
For many, feeling unsure about the things right in front of them is at least a little bit frustrating. This feeling of uncertainty can lead to worry and distress because, more often than not, we humans tend to assume the worst. The not-knowing and living in anxious anticipation is simply hard for us, and we are almost programmed to hate it.
Interestingly, one study has revealed that our stress levels max out when uncertainty is the highest. The volunteers in this experiment were asked to play a game where they had to overturn rocks. If a snake appeared under one of them, they would get a painful electric shock. The results revealed that people would rather definitely get an electric shock now than know there's a possibility to get shocked later. Or in other words, uncertainty is more stressful than predictable negative outcomes.
Saw These On The River Banks Of Brahmaputra, India. The Way They All Move Together Is So Weird. Any Idea What Creature Is This ?
Answer: It's a group of millipedes walking together. The ones on the bottom are also walking. Those on top walk over them and once they get to the end, they go to the bottom and cycle through it. They do this to cover more distance quicker.
Like when you walk forward on a train you are going faster than the train.
You may walk as much as you like in the train. You will not arrive earlier at your destination.
Load More Replies...(They do this to cover more distance quicker) This is wrong/does not make sense. They swarm together during mating season or to hunt for food, and some studies have theorized juveniles swarm together for protection from predators
Why wouldn't it make sense though? Logically they would be moving faster. The question it raises for me is why are they trying to move faster anyway.
Load More Replies...Found This Lil F*cker In My Garden, He Doesn't Bite,he Even Lets Me Touch And Handle Him.what Could It Be?is It A Non Venomous Kind Of Snake Or Just A Legless Lizard?
Answer: it's a Slow-Worm. Legless lizard. it's a protected species.
If you look really closely, sometimes you can find some tiny little vestigial legs!
"Mommmyyyy loooook I found a leg"!!! "Um...Priscilla that's not a leg...."
Load More Replies...I do prefer the swedish name for them. Kopparödla (copper lizard). Slow worm just sounds mean.
Yes, and I'm not counting ones that are drunk!
Load More Replies...I'm sorry, could you tell me the part again where you said you touched and handled it to find out if it bites and is non-venomous?
In the UK they often live in the compost heap because it's warm. So be careful when turning your compost!
My parents have one living in their garden, he's quite friendly and pips out to say hello whenever he hears my dad. Dad has managed to feed him small earthworms.
Load More Replies...No, very lizardy when you look at them sideways. And their tail breaks off as a defence... Most in my neighbourhood are full of punctures & with regrown tails, because of many cats.
Load More Replies...Snakes scare me tbh I really want to pet it but also I know I'd just run away
Essy to tell them apart from snakes. If you look long enough, they'll blink. Snakes cannot blink though
Yeah sure, if I found some unknown creature in my yard I would OBVIOUSLY try to pet it! Why not? My new name is Rubeus Hagrid!
Friend Found In Her Yard - Brisbane Australia
Answer: That look like a hand grenade. I would advise calling the authorities to make sure.
That appears to be a "Holy sh@##@@@#t" call the explosive experts nowwwwww"!
At the link, the OP confirms it was a grenade and the police came and took it away.
Not just any grenade, I would venture that it's specifically a British Mills Bomb.
i would have picked it up :') my dumbass collects things like that, if i ever dont make any comments or posts for more then a month yall know what happened✌
I Know It Is A Turkey But I Have Never Seen One This Color. Western Nc
Answer: It's a genetic disorder .... Partial Albinoism
AH HAH. That's the word I was looking for but only could think of Piebaldism
Load More Replies...We are hardwired by evolution to focus on the unusual things in our surroundings and try to associate them with threats or safety. Something new in our environment may potentially be very good (something else to eat or an object that might prove useful to us in other ways) or very bad (a dangerous thing that we should avoid).
In either case, people who paid attention to new things did a lot better over time than people who ignored them, and we are the descendants of the people who were curious. So when you think about it, you could say that 'What Is This?' helps us progress.
Given To Us By Asian Neighbor Who Grows Them At Home
Answer: It is a bottle gourd ... Trust me I am an Asian ... But I have never seen one that long
I misread that as a battle gourd. I was thinking that it was an apt name. It looks like you can kill someone with that.
You can. It's prefect as home security weapon.
Load More Replies...Yes bottle gourd amazing vegetable, makes for tasty sweet dishes, savoury dishes and juices that are healthy as hell😊
"Trust me I am an Asian ... But I have never seen one that long"...... .......... ...That's what she said.....
Dudhi is a cultivar/same species, yes! We call them "opo melons" around here.
Load More Replies...Someone Put This On My Door Handle. I Understand It Is A Rubber Duck But Why Did They Put It On My Door Handle? What Is The Meaning? Any Significance?
Answer: It'ds called "duck duck jeep". Many times they'll have a tag on the duck saying so. I got my first one in a lowes parking lot a few weeks after my mother died and was in a major funk. Made me smile.
8hundredpounds:
Rubber ducks on jeeps is a thing among owners.
Someone once left a dildo on my car's roof. Don't think I want to know what that meant 😂
Maybe someone felt you pulled out too fast in front of them.
Load More Replies...My paranoid brain went to distraction. By a predator waiting to attack (or carjack) while it is being discovered and inspected .
I have a Jeep & a girl left a turtle on mine (she was also a Jeep owner w/ a big floofy puppers). She said she likes turtles more than ducks, so she uses turtles. LOL
It's just a fun little game Jeep owners play where they leave a rubber duck on another persons jeep. It started in Ontario Canada.
Load More Replies...Little bit about the background https://mechanicbase.com/cars/duck-duck-jeep/
It's absolutely enough to quickly google the answer, while before it was harder --- the fact that it was a Jeep was essential but normally wouldn't have thought; so googling otherwise fruitless.
Load More Replies...What Are These Squiggly Brain-Like Shapes In The Water?
Answer: 3D printed "reef tiles."
They look weird, but the idea behind them is very reasonable. allow coral to grow, like an artificial reef, and meanwhile provides a small home for fishes and plants.
Load More Replies...These are great! They're being used to try and help repair the damage done by coral loss due to ocean acidification (another lovely effect of climate change).
OOH OHH OOH!!! Once in Germany my sister's friend (who is a diver) dove to the bottom of a lake the local kids swam in and there were loads of brain-shaped somethings. The kids said it was normal and some kind of... coral? IDK it was a while ago
Soo.... we are saving the ocean by intentionally putting plastic in the ocean? Okay, just googled. Some are made of terracotta. They look more tan than these ones. But maybe not plastic.
A lot of similar products are made with special types of concrete that have a similar chemical composition to natural limestone and coral skeletons. They are sometimes dyed to look more natural or to attract certain species (apparently some coral larva like to settle on darker surfaces), but most are left the original grey-white color until it gets covered by corraline algae and all kinds of sessile invertebrates.
Load More Replies...Came Home To Find This Device Attached To My Front Door Covering The Key Lock. What Is It And What Should I Do? Is It Safe To Open? Who Would Have Installed It?
Answer: We've removed the device. It's an anti lock device to pull out or detach locks so it was an attempted burglary. Thankfully they weren't able to enter. The police will attend in the morning
Does this device work on all locks? What can one do to prevent it from detaching locks?
Install a second lock. Burglars can open any door but they won't try for longer than a couple of seconds. Slow them down and they'll probably give up to avoid being witnessed
Load More Replies...They failed to break in 😂😂 Don't break into people's home btw ! It's pathetic
Unless the house is on fire...that's a pretty good reason to break in.
Load More Replies...Wow. Scary. Thieves and burglars have many devices, and skills, to use to make their stealing easier. Awhile back somebody broke open the call box to the building I live in. He fiddled around with some wires, and he unlocked the front doors electronic lock. Where did people learn the skills?
Too bad they dont use thise skills for good instead of bad
Load More Replies...Something as simple as installing longer screws in your strike plate can help secure your door, you can also do this with your door hinges. Deadbolts are also key. Then there are lots of devices, we use a security bar that goes under the door handle and braces off the floor, and good ones don’t slip on tile. BUT, this isn’t something to use on doors you constantly go in and out of. You can’t unlock the door from the outside with this (we only go in and out our garage so it works perfectly for us. My last recommendation is to check out the locks and stuff they have for travel, be it at a hotel or an air bnb, they make all kinds of options to secure your door.
I would call authorities before you do anything to clarify what it is
Get a good deadbolt, and it wouldn't hurt to reinforce the striker plate either
won't work on a deadbolt-- wouldn't hurt to reinforce the striker plate either
I'd go security mad on my home if I found something like that. Why can't these a-holes get a proper job instead of robbing people? Jerks.
Well to get a job you need to go to school and to go to school you have to get a job. They can’t get any money. most people won’t rob unless they’re desperate
Load More Replies...Saw This On A Tree While Hiking Today. Not On Any Other Trees In The Area. What Is This?
Answer: It's a burl! Woodworkers pay lots of cash for these cuz the inside grain structure is cool.
Burrs can be used to make some beautiful items. I recommend going down the Youtube rabbit hole of woodturning videos to see some of the things made with them.
When I'm anxious about something and can't turn off my brain, I watch these videos. So soothing. And then I go back to worrying. 😂
Load More Replies...It's the tree equivalent of a wart. There's a parasite in there that causes these.
Caused by Agrobacterium tumefaciens when the plant is young and the bacterium gets into a wound. Google it, it's fascinating stuff. Bacterium genetically modifies the plant to grow a tumor.
Back in the day these were highly sought after so they could be cut off and be turned into a large bowl for everyday use at home. They were very strong and were passed down through families.
They're still very sought after and super expensive!
Load More Replies...I remember a childhood story of seeing one of these on a tree and saying MOMMY THE TREE IS PREGNANT because my mom was pregnant at the time. the tree is still there to this day.
There's a tree in my apartment complex with one of those. It looks like a butt.
We've got a holly tree in the church yard with one, it looks like Friar Tuck, we call it the treegoyle
Load More Replies...Explanation why it comes to this: „ Burl formation is typically a result of some form of stress such as an injury or a viral or fungal infection.“ source: english wikipedia. Explanation 2: basically something like a tumor. Source: German wikipedia :D :D :D
Found This In My Grandparents Kitchen. What Is This? I Can Only Think It’s An Ancient Male Torture Device
Answer: Egg shell cutter. For soft boiled eggs. A "Topper"
My gran had a guillotine egg cutter for removing the tops off boiled eggs, similar design but a toothed blade would go fully across the hole.
What Kind Of Lizard Is This? It Refuses To Leave My Hand And I’m Not Sure How To Help It (I Live In Central Florida)
Answer: Caribbean House Gecko. Very common in Florida. They’re nocturnal, so if it’s out during the day then it’s probably stressed. Just put him somewhere dark and warm for now.
We have always known these "Cuban geckos" - they're indeed very common in Florida. We always had them gather around our outdoor lights to feed on the flocks of moths at night. When they're older their skin is translucent - very cool guys!
My Dad Shows This Thing To Everyone Who Comes To The House To Try And Find Out What It Is, It’s Gone So Far That He’s Actually Built A Shelf Just For It. Help
Answer: That’s a coconut cutter/shredder. You sit on it and pound coconuts against it
One clarification - you don't pound the coconut. You break the coconut into two halves on the floor and the grate each half against the serrated edges of the blade. Used widely in South India and across Asia.
I entered a coconut grating contest at a Polynesian fair in Tempe, Arizona. I wasn't doing so well (we went three rounds) until the Jamaican guy sitting next to me said that since I am so big I should win, and he quickly explained how to use my weight to my advantage. I did end up winning. I always think about how nice a person has to be to explain to a complete stranger how to beat him at a contest. That's my "unsung hero" right there.
Load More Replies...We had one when I was a kid, my great grandmother was Fijian. The men would be outside drinking and whatever, and one man would sit astride this thing with the pointy bit facing the same way as him. They’d put this contraption in a seat or bench and be sat on top of it, so they weren’t crouched down on the ground. They’d cut a coconut in half with a sugarcane knife then scrape the flesh out using the serrated metal bit attached to the wood. It was always a forwards motion they’d use and they worked quickly. The coconut flesh would be collected in a bucket that was below the scraper and they’d use it to make certain dishes. And I hated anything with coconut in it.
In Kiswahili we call it a "mbuzi", which is the same word for "goat". Never figured out the connection. Anyway, great for the best, fresh grated coconut which can then be used to make coconut cream and milk. Yum!
You do not pound the coconuts against this one. The scraping thing will get bent out of shape pretty quickly. You sit on the wooden bit facing the pointy end, break a coconut into halves on a nearby rock or whatever you had handy - machete, metal pipe, stone floor tile etc, then scrape the coconut flesh off and let it fall into a bowl kept beneath the scraping bit, keep the shell and husk for charcoal, having your squire make galloping noises as you ride around recruiting knights, and making rope. There are some types which have a reinforced scraper. Those, yes, you can break the coconut shell on.
After looking at that, my new curse to annoying people will be "Go pound coconuts."
Chamorus (indigenous people of Guam) use these and call them "kumzu". In native spelling it looks like "iKamyu". I have one gifted by family.
What Is This Thing That Showed Up In My Yard?
Answer: It's a stinkhorn. The tip smells like rotten meat to attach flies and spread the spores. It's hollow. Don't let your dog need it. My dog ate on. Took him to the vet. Dr. Said my dog was tripping off the mushroom. He was fine after a day of observation.
"Stinkhorns occur "naturally" in North America, especially in subtropical and tropical regions—but some stinkhorn fruitings in temperate and north-temperate climates may be caused by human endeavors, resulting from the transportation of soil, sod, woodchips, trees, and so on."
Load More Replies...Stinkhorn aren't usually poisonous. I've eaten them before. Pickled stinkhorn are a delicacy in Asia, though it's true there are a lot of different kinds. The ones I had were growing wild in Florida.
Maybe Germany's flag took the colors of the stinkhorn!
Load More Replies...I need a dog to trip with me. Humans just get too weird on the fungus. Dogs probably "Trip Like I Do."
This Was Found In A Pillowcase In A Stairwell Of The Hotel My Boyfriend Works At
Answer: For making counterfeit credit cards.
"Sir your credit card has been declined" "give me a min I believe I left my other one in my room"
Whaaat? How can it fail? I was up all night making it.
Load More Replies...Oh s**t, wouldn't work now. Am I the only one who remembers the card slide, them sign and rip one of the duplicates out for the customer? Still around in the 89'-very early 90's.
Curious, why put it in a pillowcase and stash it in a stairwell, never to retrieve it??
Found In Hotel Room
Answer: Morse code. "PLEASED TO MEET YOU HOPE YOU GUESS MY NAME" [repeated 4 times]
Please allow me to introduce myself I'm a man of wealth and taste I've been around for a long, long years Stole million man's soul an faith
And I was 'round when Jesus Christ Had his moment of doubt and pain Made damn sure that Pilate Washed his hands and sealed his fate
Load More Replies...Once i got my phone stuck on morse code mode and i had to google how to turn it back to normal IN MORSE CODE that was awful
And I was 'round when Jesus Christ Had his moment of doubt and pain Made damn sure that Pilate Washed his hands and sealed his fate
Funny story: a year ago everyone was calling each other a 'bozo'. I didn't know what it meant, so I very smartly asked the teacher. He was a very nice teacher but stopped people saying the word. And that is why I taught the whole of my table how to blink the word bozo by blinking: by the way, it's like this: -... --- --.. ---
A Strange Creature In South Wales, UK
Answer: elephant hawk moth caterpillar
These names are amazing, just combine 4 animals - Mouse Pigeon Butterfly Spider
Like the one in How I Met Your Mother! The Cockamouse that could fly..
Load More Replies...They also mimick snakes to avoid predators. Thats why it looks like funny snake.
Had a few of these in my garden too, here in Staffordshire, the eye spots are amazing, but then it's tiny,alien like head pops out.
A creature that crawls on the ground in infancy then gains it's wings after a formative period? Some of us humans do that too.
Help! Was Given A Present And Didn’t Want To Ask What It Was!
Answer: It's a bookmark
i have a bookmark like this, not a dinosaur but it has a strawberry and some other pink and white beads dangling from it!
Why would you not ask? What's wrong with "oh that looks cool, what is it?"
I have always found them to be very bad bookmarks, they damage the spine and can't go in all the way
This Came Out Of My Apple Juice Bottle This Morning During Break At Work ??
Answer: It’s a SCOBY. A Symbiotic Colony Of Bacteria and Yeasts. It’s not harmful but will make your juice taste sour. SCOBYs are used to make Kombucha. They feed off sugar, natural or otherwise. In this case the sugar in the juice. They excrete lactic and acetic acid, which have a sour taste
Um, the "it's not harmful" but is maybe premature - the overwhelming majority are safe, but especially stressed microorganisms can put out toxins. Or be allergens. If a food product is supposed to be fermented/pickled/inoculated you can usually trust it, if it is supposed to be sterile and isn't maybe hesitate before ingesting.
So basically, the apple juice has gone bad. Throw it out and buy some fresh.
You're not selling it to me, I'll stick with potatoes
Load More Replies...Also referred to as the Mother. If he were to put it in another bottle of apple juice he will end up with vinegar. A kombucha SCOBY will make black/green tea into 'booch - but this will not. Wrong type.
Like the "Mother" in Apple Cider Vinegar?? Interesting
Load More Replies...Use to get these in my store bought Red Diamond iced tea on occasion. I no longer buy Red Diamond ice tea. Accidently drinking one of those down is supremely gagging experience.
My Muslim Neighbors Surprised Me & Brought Me This Food. Has Rice, Some Kind Of Milk, Walnuts On Top, & I Can Taste Lemongrass
Answer: It's called Kheer. Normally eaten warm, but personally, I prefer it cold.
Kheer = Rice Pudding. Garnished with whatever you want to garnish it with. In this case walnuts.
Now I have to look up how to make it. I like rice pudding.
Load More Replies...Its a common delicacy in Indian subcontinent, goes by many names and has many variations but lemongrass sure is a new and lovely touch.
I'd say it's a part of many other South Asian countries, not just India.
Load More Replies...KHEER!! It's a type of Indian rice pudding, made normally around the India/Pakistan area. That's why it was brought by Muslim neighbors!
Cleaning Out My Grandma’s House To Sell And Found This. What The Heck Is It?
Answer: It's a flour duster. You use it to sprinkle flour across your work surface. You can use it to dust powdered sugar over cookies & what-not, too
Squeeze the handles until it opens (the wires spread), dunk it in your flour bag until you have enough inside, release the handles and it closes holding the flour or icing sugar inside. To release the contents you squeeze the handles again.
Load More Replies...That's what it is? My parents have one and I assumes it was to grab a pot of smth
This Is Growing In My Crawlspace.... Sos
Answer: Orange bleeding tooth fungus
Why in everything good is it called bleeding tooth? Ya know what, nevermind
“In addition to its most graphic feature, the Bleeding Tooth Fungus has small toothlike projections underneath the mushroom cap, where its spores are produced.”
Load More Replies..."The Bleeding Tooth Fungus is not toxic, but tastes so bitter as to be inedible..." Who the hell would want to taste it???
It looks like honeycomb, if I was feeling daring I would!
Load More Replies...https://www.aaas.org/news/weird-wonderful-creatures-bleeding-tooth-fungus
What Is This Border Between The Pacific And Philippine Sea? Why Is It Not Just A Straight Line?
Answer: It's an international date line. It looks like this because it makes an exception around the Line Islands. The Line Islands have about 8,000-ish people on them, and this way, they're on the same 'day' as Kiribati, the nation they are part of. Due to time zones, it's the same 'Time' in the Line islands as Hawaii, but in the Line Islands, it's the next day.
With 10,000 islands comprising Oceania I bet their salad dressing is amazing. At least ten times better.
There are actually two islands that are incredibly close to the IDL, nicknamed 'tomorrow' island and 'yesterday' island. Sometimes the sea between them freezes over, so you could technically walk between yesterday and tomorrow because of the time difference!
Is this an attempt at making a joke? I'd have an incredibly hard time believing that the sea could freeze this close to the equator
Load More Replies...It's astonishing and somehow unnerving how big and empty the Pacific Ocean is.
Yeah, imagine how deep it gets and what creatures might be hiding there 😬😬😬
Load More Replies...It's funny that they say it's "an" international date line. Like there are many and you just found one in your attic.
...so travelling on/slightly north of the equator you can technically time travel several times for a day each. 🤔
Why Did They Do This To These Trees?
Answer: Its because they sprayed the trees with an insecticide that was intended to kill aphids, which were dropping a sap onto cars parked underneath the trees. It unintentionally killed thousands of bees so they wrapped a netting over the trees to prevent more from landing in and on the trees.
This must be a linden tree(tilia) or similar, they attract both aphids and bees, and you shouldn’t put them in parking lots because aphids poo your car full of this sticky stuff. Aphids don’t usually seriously damage these types of trees, so spraying them does more harm than good overall. Now, I can’t remember what specific species of trees I’m talking about here, but they are dioecious, meaning they have female and male trees. In the beginning landscapers and designers used both male and female trees. Then, they started to clone and use only male trees, so the trees would not bear (inedible) fruit, like berries that would drop onto cars making them dirty and onto roads making them slippery. Now 100% of the type of trees sold and used are male, almost all those landscaping trees you see in cities are male, which means all trees spread pollen to which many people are allergic to. If they would have used only female trees, we wouldn’t have pollen OR (inedible) fruits.
All because people are shocked that the outside might make their precious car a little dirty. Aphids are an important part of the ecosystem too; feeding birds and predatory insects.
On a bad year the amount of aphid excretions that coat your car in just a weekend can be astounding, like it is so sticky that even pebbles stick onto it. I walk regularly under a sidewalk that has large linden trees growing on the side and above it. The sidewalk is sticky so my shoes stick to the asphalt and make an annoying sound. Spraying them does no good though, it is just damaging the ecosystem. This is just a wrong tree type for a parking lot, using literally any other type would do the trick.
Load More Replies...I think your graphic's must be set to low, try looking for the setting.
Answer: The wifi is slow, it hasn't rendered yet. Just turn it on and off again.
Why haven't people learned? Insecticide kills insects, among many other things! Maybe "Silent Spring" should be required reading in schools?
What Animal Is This?
Answer: Shrew
A pygmy shrew. Very shy, and they do bite, but their teeth are tiny. In the UK they are endangered. Mainly due to house cats.
Load More Replies...Pygmy Shrew - Cats catch them but won't kill/eat them (apparently they taste bad!) I used to rescue them occasionally from our cats if they were still alive and not dead from shock. No, they are not tame - every single one of the little ungrateful sods bit me!
In once rescued one that had gotten into the bathroom downstairs where I work. Took some time until I got the guy, then released it close to the pond. Guy went into the water - they're good swimmers - and all the fish in the pond POUNCED and poor guy got... well, probably eaten. I felt so AWFUL!
Load More Replies...Useful animals, related to hedgehogs. Feed on insects, not plants or bulbs My cat brings them home sometimes, just to play and fool around. I catch and release them
Ah yes they are related to our earthly brethren
Load More Replies...Our cats once brought a pair of shrews inside, then realized shrews have a painful venomous bite (dangerous to grubs/bugs, causes swelling for larger animals). The shews could walk past the cats without fear, little nods of greeting while us humans were looking for something to catch the shrew with. The shrews set up house keeping in our home and it took ages to get them out. Turns out they found a fallen bag of oreos in the back of the pantry and were living like kings. They were eventually relocated to the garden. Be sure to look up the old movie The Killer Shrews from 1959. The mutant shrews are dogs wearing costumes made from rope mops.
In that movie, did the shrews eat through walls to get inside the houses? I think i saw that as a child. It was terrifying.
Load More Replies...Tame it. Shakespeare. Taming of the Vole never sounded right anyway.
Must be poorly as it’s not biting you. They are usually very feisty little creatures. One of my cats came running in shrieking because he had one attached to his nose.
Aww, poor kitty! My cats sometimes bring them in and I can usually save them and release them back out into the woods unharmed. They’re easier to catch as they don’t run as fast as mice, well when they’re under my bed at 5am they’re pretty slow. I’m always so much happier when I save them!
Load More Replies...Walking my daughter's dog, and a shrew ran in front of us. Dog grabbed for it. I grabbed it first, to save it from the dog. It bit me, causing me to drop it. Dog got it as it fell. *sigh* BTW the shrew's bite is venomous, but its little teeth couldn't even break my skin. The venom is to subdue its prey.
This are small predators and not related to mice. It is very stress sensitive and can die from a heart attack if you frighten ist. Some can transmit rabies. Set it free outdoors and wash your hands with soap.
What Is This Oddly Terrifying Creature?
Answer: Sand dollar.
A sand dollar is a kind of echinoderm. This is the same animal phylum as starfish. The moving bits on the bottom are the tube-feet, similar to those of a starfish.
What Is This Oddly Terrifying Creature - let me touch it with my bare hands
I used to live in Florida and i would stay with my friend in treasure island and this one spot i swear had hundreds of them and you could feel them on the ocean floor with your feet if you kinda floated along and just touched gently, it was really cool, but they were white and you could pick them up but had to put them back down the right way cause they cannot flip
Load More Replies...This makes me feel bad and grossed out about taking sand dollar "shells" home as a kid
They are very cool when they are dried out. My mom had one when i was a kid
Most people only see the dead ones that are white and have a star on yhem
4 Legged Fish - Freshwater Arid West/US
Answer: It’s a Western Tiger Salamander!
Yeah I looked up Western tiger salamander and this is definitely not it, I agree with you guys I think it's an axolotl
It’s a baby Tiger salamander. They are closely related to axolotls.
Load More Replies...Axolotl pointies, the toes and fingers plus the ones off the head.
I thought it was an axolotl *GASP* everyone who wants apple to make an axolotl emoji upvote this please🩷
What Is This Thing On My Airbnb Oven?
Answer: It’s for adding water in case you want to steam your food in addition to normal baking
What Is This? It Flashes Every Time An Ambulance Speeds By. They Are All Over My City
Answer: It picks up a strobe light on emergency vehicles and then will flash to let them know that their light is green and all other directions are red. E: to clarify the strobe is IR and at a specific frequency and flashing the high beams won’t work. If you are caught with an MIRT you are likely to face very serious (felony) consequences.
We have these on every traffic light in my city. You are lucky to get in behind an emergency vehicle because you don't have to be right on top of one of them to reap the benefits of not hitting any red lights - they keep the lights green for a good bit of time, after they've passed. Until today, I've never met anyone outside of my town that knows what they are or has experienced them.
Why do people downvote random comments? Shouldn't that be reserved for actual spam or seriously rude comments? It's so unfriendly and demotivating :(
Most people on BP are decent people. Occasionally there's some real jerks who go around downvoting randomly. I'm upvoting to fix :)
Load More Replies...These can be found throughout Illinois in the US. If the light is flashing, it means the emergency vehicle is coming from behind you or in front of you. If it is solid white, it means the emergency vehicle is coming from left or right through the intersection.
There was an episode of the original CSI (Vegas) that had this as a plot point.
Over 20 years ago a teacher of mine (yes, a teacher) told our class that if you flash your lights at a traffic light, it'll change to green. Of course, none of us were anywhere close to driving at that age, so nobody actually tried it out, but I'd assume it's the same principle as this.
Flashing your lights to a car passing you meant a cop was waiting up ahead
Load More Replies...Assuming This Is A Fungus Of Some Sort, Spotted On Top Of A Dead Log In Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Answer: Slime mold - stemonitis axifera
Do look into slime molds! Nobody knows what they are, neither animal, plant, or fungus. They don't have brains but clearly think, learn, and plan.
Load More Replies...And despite its name and appearance, it is not remotely a mold or any other kind of fungus. It is a protist.
I''m not sure it's slime mold. Could also be a bunch of eggs of an insect (insect eggs can be elongated and some insects have eggs with a stalk).
An Animal Found On The Beach In Normandy, France
Answer: Portuguese Man O' War
these are called blue bottles to aussies. edit. they are super painful, need a decent amount of nuerofen, and warm water and ice to calm the sting, they leave massive welts. in the summer in australia they cover the shores
Right? The colors on this creature are beautiful and Australia has so many gorgeous beaches and things I would LOVE to see. But sadly too many things I do not want to see. Giant spiders, kicking kangaroos, rat sized insects, stinging sea creatures- I'm out
Load More Replies...ok storytime I live in Florida and sometimes when I go to the beach I see smaller, bluer versions of this thing and when I was little I would pick 'em up and throw them in the trash 'cause they looked like they were made of plastic and for the longest time I had no idea why my hands always stung when I went to the beach.
Ever go into Gulf during jellyfish spawn? We call them Sea Fleas, but they’re tiny jellyfish stinging you. I’m from Texas…same dang problems. And I touched a Portuguese Man O’War for the same reason. It looked like a blue Mylar balloon.
Load More Replies...I call them 'manowerrr' like the sea captain from the Simpsons.
I got stung by one of these as a kid. It took hours for the pain to stop.
This Was Given To Me As A Gift
Answer: You twist it a certain way and it makes a hook to hang your handbag from a tabletop
Oooh! So that's what it is. I have one as well that I forgot what it was.
Very handy. I don't want to hang my bag on the back of my chair or leave it on the floor.
I found one of these left in a purse I bought from a thrift store (not as fancy) and once I learned what it was, I've been surprised at how useful it's been since! I've used it quite a lot
It Looks Like A Tool To Create Art... Or Maybe It Is Art... I'm Not Sure
Answer: Indian batik or textile stamp
Are you sure this is not another Lemarchand Box? Clive? You there, buddy?
I was wondering what the disturbing fleshy thing under it was... OMG it's a manicured hand, sorry
I know! I thought the same thing. Even hesitated to zoom in-in case it was something gross.
Load More Replies...Batik stamp. You put it on liquid candle and stamp it on sheet of fabric. Let the candle dry. Boil the stamped fabric in coloring water to melt the candle. Fascinating process. Not as impressive as the Batik Tulis or Batik Lukis which will have you to draw the motive by hand, but still fascinating.
I’ve Seen These In Several Old Peoples Houses. What The Heck Are They And What Are They For?
Answer: It says ‘Jesus’ in the lines between the wood pieces.
Sort of like, according to legend, the Jesus fish was a way for christians to identify each other. A lot of evangelicals are really into hidden messages.
Also, a lot of gay ppl (like me) cuff their jeans to alert other gay ppl that they are, in fact, gay too.
Load More Replies...My brain automatically filled in the negative space. Maybe that's my rather tedious superpower.
Might be! Since even when I know what I'm looking for it takes real concentration and letter by letter reading to see it.
Load More Replies...My mom has one (in cross stitch not wood) and I remember when I was little, asking her what it was. I couldn't see the negative vs positive space artistic element to it. A few years later I could finally get my eyes to focus on the name.
There is a group of houses on the street I grew up on that have gate posts rather like this. It took me a *long* time to realise that it was the house numbers in negative space.
Load More Replies...I remember the fist time I saw one of those in high school. Definitely one of those “once you see it you can’t unsee it” things.
If you find one who can customise these, please let me know as well! :)
Load More Replies...What Is This Weird License Plate, And What Does It Mean? I’ve Never Seen This Before
Answer: I suspect you have found a Sovereign Citizen in the wild. The references to a trust and to common law suggest something of the sort
🤦♂️(car in OP photo) if one don't like society, don't take any part in it..?
Load More Replies...Idiots who believe they shouldn't have to follow the laws the rest of us have to follow. When they are pulled over they will film themselves shouting meaningless legal jargon at the police, talking in circles and forcing the police to arrest them. I look forward to the Youtube video of them being dragged from the car.
One of the Rioters at the Capitol just tried this "defense". Got Convicted anyway
Load More Replies...I cannot wrap my head around the complete illogic of these people. If you decide you are a sovereign citizen of your own tiny country that is your strip of land (that you purchased, lol, not ceded from the Union), how can you decide the laws OUTSIDE your tiny pretend kingdom don't pertain to you? This is like saying I can go to the Middle East and be outraged I can't parade around in a bikini. It's just so stupid.
Right. But the minute their homes catch on fire...they most certainly expect the fire department to come out!! It IS extremely stupid.
Load More Replies...LOVE Public Defenders! You guys are one of the most underpaid, overworked and under appreciated professions! Thanks for your hard work.
Load More Replies...Sovereign citizens maintain the belief that the US Constitution gives them the right to declare themselves independent from the US, the US government, the laws of this land, and any responsibilities toward the US (such as paying taxes). All while continuing to reside within the territory of the US.
I wonder how they think the road they are driving on is paid for?
Load More Replies...There was one sovereign citizen that posted a video of him telling the cops he didn’t need a licence or insurance. A while later he went the wrong way down a one way street and killed a woman.
But are very keen to apply rules to other people.
Load More Replies...Sovereign citizens really believe that because they don't recognize themselves as Americans or recognize the government that they as "free" people can choose to not participate in laws, taxes, or processes created by the government...but here's were it gets extra delusional crazy they also believe that because they live in the country they have a right to all social programs, jobs, money, and benefits afforded to people from the country based on the countries bill of rights, constitution, and programs.
Those wingnuts have been getting themselves arrested all over australia lately.
In The Bathroom. When I Push A Button With A Time On It, My Nearby Toilet Makes A Wooshing Sound
Answer: It’s not your toilet, it’s your bathtub. And it’s causing a S**T TON of damage to it every time you tun it on without water in it. It turns on the jets for that amount of time
You'd think they'd put a sign near it, to prevent said damage or at least mitigate it.
Better yet some sensor that prevents the circuit to close if no water is present.
Load More Replies...Often attached to a bathroom exhaust fan. Turn on and walk away, it turns itself off.
Yeah, we have one like this for our basement bathroom exhaust fan. Very convenient. The upstairs bathroom has a dial style timer that still works, from maybe the 70's or so.
Load More Replies...The exhaust fan in my bathroom has a timer like this. It may not be destroying your tub.
Haha, wonder how many times they’ve pushed the patrons before asking
It's a timer, typically it's for the fart fan not jets that damage the pump with no water in it
Found This In My Wallet. I Believe I Was Given The $10 Bill As Change. It Was Glued To The $20 Bill At Both Ends
Answer: It’s a magic prop for a trick in which one bill is turned into another
Because of inflation, they had to add $10 to a $20 bill but it only buys $20 worth of stuff
You now can buy things for $10 with this magical new bill. Welcome to inflation.
Prehistoric Parasite Attempting To Escape From Its Host As It Is Drowning In Amber
Answer: It's a fungus Ophiocordyceps, probably an earlier ancestor.
I saw this on planet earth. The fungus gets into the animal causing it to go nuts and climb up until it dies; then the fungus grows out of the dead carcass
Found This Nightmare Growing In A Bottle Of Crystal Hot Sauce. The Bottle Was Sealed On The Shelf With An 03/03/2024 Expiration. Can Anyone Explain Whats Happening Here?
Answer: If there is vinegar in that hot sauce it may be a mother of vinegar
"Mother of vinegar is a biofilm composed of a form of cellulose, yeast and bacteria that sometimes develops on fermenting alcoholic liquids during the process that turns alcohol into acetic acid with the help of oxygen from the air and acetic acid bacteria. It is similar to the SCOBY mostly known from production of kombucha, but develops to a much lesser extent due to lesser availability of yeast (which is often no longer present in wine/cider at this stage) and a different population of bacteria. Mother of vinegar is often added to wine, cider, or other alcoholic liquids to produce vinegar at home, although only the bacteria is required, but historically has also been used in large scale production." Also, it LOOKS gross, but is harmless. It can be strained out of the product without any harm or effect to the product!
Load More Replies...Big momma, Cthulhu's sister Kassogtha. Look into her eye to gaze upon madness.
Mmmm, what is a "mother of vinegar"? Never mind: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother_of_vinegar
This Thing Has Been Flying Around Terrorizing Me (Chicago If That Helps)
Answer: Praying Mantis. To be specific, that’s a Chinese mantis. Not native to the US, but was brought over to help farmers by eating pests.
hell nah if i see that im moving
Load More Replies...Mantis are my all-time favorite insect. Dragonflies and big fat bumblebees are a close second.
BF Had For 33 Years, Heavy, Hard, Rattles Inside. Thinks It's A Geode,not Sure. Any Ideas? Central Wisconsin
Answer: geode
If you slice these open with a rock cutter they often have beautiful crystals inside!
Yes, they are usually very beautiful! They can be all colors and crystal sizes...here is an example of one cut open... geode2-63d...328959.jpg
What Are These Fake Rocks I Keep Seeing Around Campus??
Answer: Rat traps with poison
that what I was gonna say.... Looks suuuuuspiciousssly like they work
Load More Replies...I feel these are so unfair to put outside of commercial buildings. They invite wildlife that is not interfering inside your buildings to come and get murdered and trapped. Occasionally song birds will wander into them And many other animals besides rats, if they’re small enough
My Friend Is Really Curious About What These Creatures Are
Answer: Slipper lobster
Chef? How would you like your slippers prepared? Dorito-fed and free-range then chuck em in the pot til they scream. Now f**k off out my kitchen.
It's like just the lobster tail. Whose going to be brave, boys, and toss it in the pot? Come on, now, someone has to be hungry! :))
The Nz Police Sent Me This Pen In A ‘Anti-Burglary’ Kit. It Might Just Have No Ink Accidentally, But Maybe It Has A Purpose?
Answer: It should be an invisible ink, shows up under UV light.
you use to write your name on things that may get stolen, then the police can track them down and also prove that they were stolen or fenced etc.
In the UK we have a similar product called Smart Water. You purchase the "ink" which has a unique code so if the police recover an item, they will check for a Smart Water mark and then use a database to locate the owner. A lot of churches are required to mark the lead on their roofs for insurance purposes. Supposed to give scrap metals dealers less of an excuse to have stolen lead in their possession.
This looks similar to the markers we used to detect counterfeit bills, as well.
What The F**k Is This Thing? My Friend Found It In His Yard
Answer: Clathrus ruber is a species of fungus in the family Phallaceae, and the type species of the genus Clathrus. It is commonly known as the latticed stinkhorn, the basket stinkhorn, or the red cage, alluding to the striking fruit bodies that are shaped somewhat like a round or oval hollow sphere with interlaced or latticed branches.
I have a startling bizarre collection of fungus in my backyard, and I see these sometimes too :D
Smells like rotten meat. Tastes like attic floor. I think they're pretty, though.
It’s an implant of the Celestial, Ego. Destroy it before it consumes the planet
Sounds like something a Fox Terrier would absolutely roll in...
Murder Cricket? Found This In A Parking Lot, Made Sure It Was Dead Before I Picked It Up
Answer: Mole cricket
I once found one of them running around my garden. I was so happy, they're super rare and look really cool when they move and burrow
I love them! When I find one in the house and move it outside they go all "Oh yeah? Well lemme DIG YOU" and try to burrow through my hands lol
Load More Replies...Cool, the name translates into German the same way: "Maulwurfsgrille" (Maulwurf + Grille)
Its got fingers, and built like the hulk if the hulk was an inch tall.and antenna in the eyes? The f**k?
Piece Of Beach Glass Found In Lake Michigan, In Manistee Mi. Anyone Recognize The Imprint?
Answer: It’s Kettle One
Googled it: Kettle One is a Vodka and that's what's on the top part of the bottle. It's "just" a broken vodka bottle.
That's what sea glass is-- broken glass that has been worn soft on the edges through the tumbling of the sea.
Load More Replies...I hate correcting people on spelling, however, this is a proper name, so thankyou cause it bothered me too
Load More Replies...This Symbol, Please
Answer: The Sigil of Lucifer
who is the person down voting everyone here , look if you have something to say, say it, but i think everyone's opinions matters in this case,
Thank you! I'm glad I'm not the only one. It's very annoying. Grr...
Load More Replies...Also as fictitious as God, and the Easter bunny. Have fun when you find that no one was right and we all surf an endless void of nothing and darkness until reincarnation. Smile, Cthulhu waits, and watches from the depths in his slumber.
Ok, when explaining what it is, can you please explain what your explanation means?
The driver is a black and/or satanic metal fan pobably. Many bands have this sign on their merch.
Load More Replies...I don't thing so....Lucifer has much better taste than that!! He's a brit after all!
Saw This While Flying In Arizona. What Is This Line On The Ground?
Answer: It’s major power lines. If you can zoom in you can just barely make out some of the towers. They clear out vegetation to make them more accessible and to remove potential hazards to the lines.
It's a wrinkle in our dimension. Careful walking on it, you might end up in the backrooms.
Mom Asked Me To Ask Here
Answer: It's a blade holder for a slap chop
I think you are being rude to your mama. I also still don't know what it is.
What Is This Bug? Why Does It Scream?? Eastern Washington
Answer: Cicada
It's the mating call. He's screaming for love just like the rest of us.
Some species live underground for 13 or 17 years, then hundreds of billions come at once to mate. During pandemic summer, we had a 17-year cicada "emergence." The entire world sounded like an extremely bad case of tinitis for a few months. Or like a cosmic death ray. ("Woowoowoowoowoo").
Hard to believe that somebody didn't know what's a cicada. I mean, I have it in Virginia. Happens only in summer. They're quite calming.
it's cicada season in australia rn and the ones where i'm from are scary. fully black, with bright red eyes. i've only ever seen their nymphs in the past but now i'm seeing them a lot
Oh, I recognized this right away. It's basically the only noise I hear in the summer: screaming cicadas.
oh my god ! Cicada only make noise over 27C. Another global warming evidence yet.
A Little Cup Filled With Sand That You Can Smooth Out With A Flattening Tool
Answer: I believe that is a bowl filled with ash from burnt incense. The tool used here to smooth the top of the ash is called an incense ash press tool.
You should go watch the video at this link. It's very satisfying https://www.youtube.com/@relaxingmeditationmusic1962
Burning incense. It's a process. Involving incense powder and a disk with a pattern to make pretty shapes for the incense.
Load More Replies...It's actually kinda soothing to watch, appears to be a whole ritual around it.
Caught In Florida Years Ago. Found In Camera. (We Did Release It)
Answer: I believe this is a moray eel, belly up, with the hook going through its lower jaw. It is hard to see one of its eyes in this photo but I think I can just make it out.
Whennnnnnn your fishing with guys and reel in this surprise that's a moraaaaaaaay.
♪ when you look in it's maw and there's a pharyngeal jaw, that's a moray ♪
Load More Replies...🎼🎶 If you see a big eel, and his teeth are like steel, That’s a Moray. 🎶🎵
When your mouth gapes in awe that the hook stabs your jaw that's a moraaaaaay
🎶When an eel open its teeth, and there’s another set of teeth inside, that’s a moray 🎶When you’re diving and something bites you and you bleed out, that’s a moray🎶 :) (edit: do not actually know if true)
Okie so someone apparently thought this is offensive, hate or spam. I SAID I don’t know if it’s true, and I shouldn’t be downvoted for stupidity or ignorance. I saw this somewhere else so I used it. But you might be having a pretty rough day and you’re taking it out on a random alien stranger on BP, O Magnificent Tracking Downvote Fairy, so I guess that’s life.
Load More Replies...I was thinking that it was a moray based on the body shape.. I like eels :)
This Thing Stared At Me In A Store For Three Years Until I Bought It. It Has Always Been Known As “Chicken Man”
Answer: Design Toscano Canterbury Tales Chanticleer Rooster Bank, 7 Inch, Faux Gold
Wow. I used to work for Design Toscano in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Had dreamed of working for them based on their ads in Architectural Digest. Other than our replica statuary I loved our reproduction of the Bayeaux Tapestry. Cool company to work for.
Used to love that outdoor water fountain with the big St Bernard dog and the one with the mermaid. Design Toscanini….when you’re rich buying from here is too cheap but when you’re poor this stuff is luxurious and you can’t afford it ! Lol
Load More Replies...I love some of the stuff at Design Toscano but their stuff is too pricey.
This Was In My Bathroom, Is A Scorpion?
Answer: It's not technically a scorpion but, they are called whip scorpions
Guys, people are downvoting iluvskulls because he/she are being rude by saying ‘ewww’ apparently. But it’s definitely not hate or spam, so please think before downvoting and not just because you disagree. Once a comment reaches negative numbers, others follow like sheep. I predict my comment will get at least 1 downvote because I have a random downvote fairy following me around. Hello, if you are looking at this, downvote fairy, I would like to express my gratitude for the downvotes by offering you a cute doggo pic (and to calm down these who might be feeling jumpy after seeing this list of bizarre stuff :D) 46CE39C2-E...7-jpeg.jpg
AKA vinegaroons. Their tail can emit a vinegar smelling acidic substance
What Is The Purpose In Design Of These Odd Toilets In My Dorm Building?
Answer: Mens and Womans urinal
Yeah but a toilet is for peeing and pooping. This is a way to discourage pooping.
Load More Replies...In Japan they have western toilets and female urinals. Occasionally I would need to use a public toilet and locals would always guide me to the western toilet. Once I had no choice and lets just say it is a skill that I hadn't perfected! My experience was they tended to be flush with the ground.
they're not exactly "female urinals" they're just the traditional style of toilet, a squatting toilet, they're found all over asia, africa, and in parts of Europe. (such as russia, greece, romania, southern france..) they do take some getting used to though xP
Load More Replies...It is used by Japanese, traditionally the most clean people of the world.
Load More Replies...Looks extremely Uncomfortable to Sit on---Unhygienic too after a man uses it
My Sister Has To Identify This And Write A Paper About It. What Is It?
Answer: Wire bender. Part of a much larger machine
I'm really curious why she has this as an assignment. Is it a creative writing class? Something about how archeologists try to identify stuff they find? Some kind of machine/engineering class???
I was curious too, the sister replied to original post “ It’s English 2 research papers. He presented an object to us and said we need to identify it and write a paper on it. I’ve searched for hours on different platforms and used several resources but still can’t find this particular load cell.” In college
Load More Replies...What Kind Of Car Is This?
Answer: It's an ETV - Extra Terrestrial Vehicle
This really is its name. https://silodrome.com/etv-extra-terrestrial-vehicle/
Load More Replies...Correct. That is its name. It is a kit car. https://www.carscoops.com/2009/06/extra-terrestrial-vehicle-chevy-aveo-of/
And for the low price of just $89,000 US dollars, you too can own one!
Found In My Old Garage. Almost Seems Like Something Should Sit On Top? Friend Suggested Key Hider But Then, What Are The Holes For?
Answer: It’s an ashtray
They are great when it's windy. Stops ash and old butts blowing around
Load More Replies...Any Idea What This Is? It’s My Grandmother's, It Has Two Clips And It Spins
Answer: It's known as a 'fringe twister', in this case a double since it can do two strands at once
Who just says, 'well, obviously it's a fringe twister' and leaves it at that?
Good. For a minute I thought it might be another penis torture device 😂🤪
My Parents Believe I Use Heroine! Can Someone Help Me Identify This Object?
Answer: It's a mate straw/bombilla
You use it to drink a drink made from the leaves of the yerba mate plant, which is a species of holly. The sieve end of the straw allows you to drink the liquid without drinking the actual leaves.
Load More Replies...I need a heroine right now my life is in a shambles and I could really use a womans' help.
Used to drink Mate or maté a traditional South American caffeine-rich infused herbal drink.
I think they must have thought it was some sort of spoon for freebasing heroine... if you've ever seen "Requiem For A Dream", you'll understand 🤢 That's not what this item is for tho!!!
Load More Replies...Mate is a drink that EVERYONE in South America drink, Google Mate drink. very tasty, once you get use to the taste. Big culture and routines around drinking it
Not everybody, but it's pretty universal in Argentina and some bordering countries. You fill a gourd about halfway with leaves of yerba mate, then pour boiling water over it. The leaves are loose and they stay in the drink, so you need this straw with a screen at the bottom to keep the leaves out of your mouth
Load More Replies...I’ve Had This In My Phone For Quite A While But What Is It?
Answer: Homunculus loxodontus, a statue
Hey that’s a word I use in my lexicon for someone who is lovable and clueless !
Load More Replies...The head is a baby elephant seal. Looks like they used the seal pic and added arms and hands.
the fact that its in black and white make it look like something out of david a lynch movie
I started answering as I slowly scrolled down to the arms......Ele p h a n t s e a l ........ no clue.
Found It At An Old Cell Phone Tower Site I Worked At, Any Ideas?
Answer: Orgone pyramid, used for energy transformation/EMF generator/useful for meditation and all sorts of other spiritual/meta-physic things
Yep. Knew it. Illuminati at it again. Isn't that the device that provides 5G and is turning frogs gay ? Seriously, I'm asking you, Alex?
No, that orgonite thingy kills 5g and such. (I briefly dated a tinfoil hatter years ago)
Load More Replies...Washed Ashore On Navarre Beach, Gulf Of Mexico, Florida
Answer: It appears to be a sonar buoy
What Is The Gold Console?
Answer: It's the Pippin
An Apple product in a color that isn't white? That's out of character.
Moved Into A New Apartment And This Was There. What Is It? Best Guess Is A Spice Rack
Answer: k-cup holder
Ugh. Imagine having the time, space and money to build a K-Cup holder into your home, and then actually doing it. Environmental concerns aside (the original inventor came out publicly against them, after realizing how much plastic they were contributing to the waste stream), it's just. Bad. Coffee. Very bad.
And really weak coffee, to boot. I have two reusable k-cups that I fill with regular coffee—-to the strength I prefer. Better for the environment and saves TONS of money too.
Load More Replies...I was gifted my Keurig in 2013 when they were super popular and as soon as I realized how much plastic I was binning, I ended up purchasing 6 bpa free reusables and I save a ton of money as well.
Apparently we liked the gadgets more than the creepy nature things.
Load More Replies...This was such a fun and interesting article! I didn't want it to end
Apparently we liked the gadgets more than the creepy nature things.
Load More Replies...This was such a fun and interesting article! I didn't want it to end
