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Every now and then, we all need a distraction. But how can we surprise someone who's constantly on the internet? Surely, they've seen plenty of crazy stuff. Well, let's try something different and take a deep dive into the subreddit r/OddlyTerrifying.

It has 1.1 million members, and they're trying their best to share content that lives up to its name. Who knew that Jim Carrey doing The Grinch face without any makeup can look so sinister? Or that a mosquito flying in front of the lens when a person is taking a photo of a square makes it look like a giant alien invasion?

Most of these images aren't even that scary or dangerous when you spell them out. But they can still carve themselves into your memory like a vivid nightmare. Enjoy!

#1

Giant Hand In Forest

Giant Hand In Forest

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#2

Interesting, Funny And Terrifying

Interesting, Funny And Terrifying

ddoniolvalcroze Report

In a way, you could say that the popularity of r/OddlyTerrifying lies within people's fascination with morbid curiosity. According to Coltan Scrivner, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Comparative Human Development and a Fellow at the Institute for Mind and Biology at The University of Chicago, we've all felt it at some point. Whether it was triggered by seeing a car wreck while driving down the highway or a friend talking about how they saw a ghost in an old building; we tell ourselves that we don't want to look, don't want to listen, and don't want to know—yet we still look, we still listen, and we still want to learn more.

#4

Thinking You've Come Across A Kkk Meeting

Thinking You've Come Across A Kkk Meeting

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#5

Mosquito Flies In Front Of The Lens

Mosquito Flies In Front Of The Lens

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Daria B
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's a really good photo, though. And that's a really cool effect. I think this is a work of art, and I'm not even kidding.

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"The car wreck story is a bit old and tired, but it's a good example because it's something that almost everyone has experienced and can intuitively understand," Scrivner wrote in Psychology Today. "It's true for almost everyone that you don't want to see someone injured and you don't hope anyone died in the wreck. But, if they did, you do feel compelled to look at it."

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To illustrate why, Scrivner wants us to take a look at the world of our ancestors. It was a dangerous place. The world today can also be dangerous, but even the most basic treatments that are available today can severely decrease the seriousness of an injury. "If you got injured 10,000 years ago (or even 100 years ago), your chances of surviving were far less than they are today with modern medicine. Even if the blood loss didn't kill you, an ensuing infection might. This placed a premium on avoiding danger—or at least avoiding the consequences of danger," he explained.

#6

This Hermit Crab Using A Discarded Doll Head For A Shell

This Hermit Crab Using A Discarded Doll Head For A Shell

MostlyKelp Report

#7

This.. This Isn't Right..

This.. This Isn't Right..

fallinaditch Report

#8

Cabbage Fields. It Looks Like A Field Of Alien Eggs And I Hate It

Cabbage Fields. It Looks Like A Field Of Alien Eggs And I Hate It

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Catlady6000
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This needs to be in a movie. Much more effective than any side effects I've seen

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"However, to avoid danger, you must first know something about it. The more you know about something, the better you can predict it. And the better you can predict it, the better you can deal with the consequences if it does occur."

Enter curiosity. You don't want to be in a car wreck yourself to find out how bad a car wreck can be. You also don't want someone else to be in a car wreck. But if they already are, you want to know how bad it is. This could inform your decisions and behavior.

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"For example, if the car wreck is particularly gruesome, it might cause me to slow down or be extra cautious the rest of the day to decrease my chances of that happening to me. If it's just a fender bender, it may not affect my driving behavior very much."

#9

A Ladybug Covered In Morning Dew

A Ladybug Covered In Morning Dew

Goopacity Report

#10

Jim Carey Doing The Grinch Face Without The Use Of Any Makeup

Jim Carey Doing The Grinch Face Without The Use Of Any Makeup

SupCJ Report

#11

Birds Running

Birds Running

_Empy Report

The consequences of threats leave their mark on our psychology and influence our behavior in response to 'morbid' situations. According to Scrivner, this has resulted in most of us having some morbid curiosity, and some of us have a lot of it.

Nearly all images on r/OddlyTerrifying are either directly from or are closely linked to the real world. Maybe if we scroll through it enough, we'll understand our place in it better?

#12

An MRI Scan Of Babies During Pregnancy

An MRI Scan Of Babies During Pregnancy

KiWi_pEnCiL36 Report

#13

Just Some Regular Rubber Gloves Washing Accidentally Opened The Gate Of Hell

Just Some Regular Rubber Gloves Washing Accidentally Opened The Gate Of Hell

jfrchen1207 Report

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#14

Driftwood Figures Roaming The Forest. By Japanese Artist, Nagato Iwasaki

Driftwood Figures Roaming The Forest. By Japanese Artist, Nagato Iwasaki

ltJustMe Report

#15

Dried-Up Stingrays Will Haunt My Nightmares

Dried-Up Stingrays Will Haunt My Nightmares

NeuroticNurse Report

#16

Looks Like A Demon Possessed Her

Looks Like A Demon Possessed Her

Toxic_deadeye Report

#18

Very Humbling Sign Posted Outside A Cemetery In The Middle Of The Woods

Very Humbling Sign Posted Outside A Cemetery In The Middle Of The Woods

Poey221 Report

#19

Harpy Eagle

Harpy Eagle

iNonEntity Report

#20

The Cork-Lid Trapdoor Spider. If You See What Looks Like An Ancient Coin Buried In Sand, Leave It Alone...

The Cork-Lid Trapdoor Spider. If You See What Looks Like An Ancient Coin Buried In Sand, Leave It Alone...

reddit.com Report

#21

Not To Jump Into Conclusions But Caves Are Indeed Discreet And Hard To Reach

Not To Jump Into Conclusions But Caves Are Indeed Discreet And Hard To Reach

Akephalos_Agares Report

#23

This Meme

This Meme

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#25

Spiky Contacts

Spiky Contacts

mali1321 Report

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If I could I would live under water
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where I live, open casket is not a thing and so I don't really get why this is necessary in the first place. When I die, please just take out all the stuff that still can be used and than burn me to a small pile of ashes.

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#26

My Driveway Today

My Driveway Today

Sweatyrando Report

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shonie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

your so lucky to have such an amazing driveway its stunning, i would love to take a stroll through it :D

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#27

The “Skin” Cake I Made To Celebrate The Beginning Of Dermatology Residency. Everyone Thought It Was Delicious

The “Skin” Cake I Made To Celebrate The Beginning Of Dermatology Residency. Everyone Thought It Was Delicious

Midwest-md Report

#29

Vivarium

Vivarium

Financial-Grand2209 Report

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Catlady6000
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are a few of these neighborhoods here. They creep me out. Especially in the middle of the day when no one is home and everything is quiet. Shiver

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#35

Imagine Seeing Them In Real Life

Imagine Seeing Them In Real Life

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Jill Taylor
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Get the largest size possible and hang in the living room. Great conversation piece.

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#37

The Danish Special Forces Are Just Militarised Sleep Paralysis Demons

The Danish Special Forces Are Just Militarised Sleep Paralysis Demons

Reverend_Giggles Report

#40

Infested Spider Tent

Infested Spider Tent

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#42

The Sun Bear Literally Looks Like A Man Inside A Bear Costume

The Sun Bear Literally Looks Like A Man Inside A Bear Costume

WhyIsLife12 Report

#43

Had A Praying Mantis Nest Hatch By My Front Door!

Had A Praying Mantis Nest Hatch By My Front Door!

emoats83 Report

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Janice Blaufox
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was a teacher a student brought in a Praying Mantis egg for Show & Tell on a Friday. He left it on the windowsill. Monday morning we were all greeted by a room full of Mantises.

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Catlady6000
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am so jealous! These suckers eat mosquitos like you wouldn't believe. Also great to have in the garden. You do need to start separating them, though. The young cannibalize till there is only one left

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Alphabet Soupy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was just thinking I could use a few of those in my garden and against mosquitos!

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Noel Bovae
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's actually incredibly cool! I never really thought about where they came from before, and I definitely never would've imagined they came from a nest like this. I don't like to kill anything, even insects, but some you just have to, like cockroaches. Then there are insects that for some reason, I just cannot bring myself to kill no matter what. Like it actually feels wrong to my soul. Praying Mantis are in that group. Along with honey bees, moths, butterflies, dragonflies, and ladybugs (and probably a few others I'm forgetting.) Praying mantis scare the carp out of me, but I just cannot hurt the little guys. We have a couple white ones around our house every year, and I just try to keep my distance.

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Amy Jo Buchanan
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel the same exact way! I was thinking that I was being very overly sensitive, because i can't bring myself to kill those either, with the exception of cockroaches and some spiders and stinging centipedes. I had a hard time trying to explain whatever it was that I was feeling and you said it perfectly! It feels wrong to my soul! We live in such an amazing world.

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Mazer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Far out!!! I love this!! I would be totally honored to have this happen at my house

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CynderAce
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is awesome! I would spend hours outside just looking at them..

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Vetus Vespertilio
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Best insect control in the garden. They scoop up aphids like popcorn!

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Merino
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s not terrifying; it’s adorable! Look at all those new friends!

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Dorothy Parker
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your home is now designated as a house of worship. You no longer need to pay taxes!

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Pamela Blue
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah no. I'd be using the back/side door until that lot took their exit!

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Arianna Ibbotson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"excuse me, landlord, can I please have the permission to BURN the house down?"

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Cass Malone
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So much rather this than wasps, spiders, snakes or even ants

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GoddessOdd
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YOU ARE SO LUCKY! I would love to have these. I have lizards and frogs on my front door all the time, but never lucky enough for the mantises

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Unnamed Hooman
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gosh this is more scary than the spider one- I mean they CAN be helpful, they are kind of cute… but if they surprise you…

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Bob Knob
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is cool, I love mantis', mantises? manti? Help me.

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Bernardita Valdés
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Their fighting stance tho.. Your house is protected by a clan of martial artists.

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Merino
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s not really a nest. It’s an egg sac called an ootheca. They have all of the materials they need right inside their bodies; the female will lay an ootheca regardless if she has mated or not. They typically lay them in the fall and then the ootheca hatches come spring. The material around the eggs protects them from the elements over the winter.

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Chloe *Leah* Pheonix
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Me and my family hatch praying mantis every year. They can grow to be super big and take care of the garden

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Zelda Blue
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That would be changed to "the door that never gets used!"

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#45

Went Camping With My Girlfriend. I Woke Up To Pee And She Took This Photo Of Me

Went Camping With My Girlfriend. I Woke Up To Pee And She Took This Photo Of Me

Gaap321 Report

#46

This Is The X-Ray Of A Pregnant Dog

This Is The X-Ray Of A Pregnant Dog

huckleberry-finn6 Report

#47

The Guarana Fruit Looks Like An Angel From The Old Testament

The Guarana Fruit Looks Like An Angel From The Old Testament

cinzalunar Report

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Jayne Kyra
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For anyone interested: https://historyofyesterday.com/how-angels-really-look-like-according-to-the-bible-d4d339112619

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#48

“Urchin Quartz” More Like Nightmare Quartz

“Urchin Quartz” More Like Nightmare Quartz

a_single_crouton Report

#49

One Is Portland, The Other Is Fallout 4..............fallout Has Cleaner Air

One Is Portland, The Other Is Fallout 4..............fallout Has Cleaner Air

H-9000 Report

#50

This Root System Of My Calathea Plant. These Root Nodules Mean It's Very Healthy, But It's Unnerving To Look At

This Root System Of My Calathea Plant. These Root Nodules Mean It's Very Healthy, But It's Unnerving To Look At

touchinbutt2butt Report

Note: this post originally had 90 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.