The internet is littered with cute creatures. Whether they're adorable pets or wild yet approachable animals, looking at them makes us feel warm and fuzzy. But what about the rest of nature's creations that don't give us that cozy feeling in our chest? Instead, we're left feeling uneasy and even speechless. If you're ready to take a creepy dive into everything Mother Nature has to offer, take a look at some of these weird and unexplainable members of the animal kingdom.
Is It A Reptile? Is It A Giant Fish? Guess We'll Never Know
Crocodiles aren't known for their friendly natures. Typically, they're found in rivers, lakes, swamps, and wetlands, and they can be as long as 5.5m. But, thankfully, what we're looking at here isn't the mammal-eating reptile but a sturgeon. The fish rivals the crocodile for size, ranging from 2.5m to 5.5m. However, they don't have scales, and their bodies are somewhat elongated. You'll unlikely come across one of these fish in person.
That's because they’re now estimated to be a threatened species due to overfishing, but if you are on the Eurasian or North American coast, you might be in luck.
Monsters From the Deep
Just imagine yourself swimming or fishing in this river. All is calm, there's a breeze in the air, and the birds are singing. It's a lovely scene, right? But then, out of nowhere, you're confronted by this terrifying sight of freshwater eels rising to the river surface. They're slimy and slippery, and although they're essentially harmless, they are apparently quite bad-tempered. So, if you're on their territory, they may bite you!
We’d move faster than a hurricane to get out of the water if we saw these guys heading toward us. Nature may be beautiful, but maybe not in this instance.
Since When Did Birds Have Four Legs?
It’s a well-established fact that birds have two legs. Yet here, this baby chick confounds nature with its four legs. Of course, we love baby birds; who doesn’t? They’re cute, fluffy, and a beautiful part of nature’s life cycle. However, this chick has us all slightly confused, thanks to its four legs. We still think this fluff bundle is adorable, albeit somewhat unusual. From the front, you just see a sweet ball of yellow fluff.
Things just get a little weird when you look to the side or you pick our feathered friend up to take a closer look. It's true what they say, though, variety is the spice of life!
A Terrifying Fish
First, we mistook this horrifying-looking creature in the photo for a giant reptile. But, in fact, it's a shark. A frilled shark, to be precise. It's found in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and is extremely rare with its long snake-like body. We can't help but stare at those deep penetrating eyes and thin spiky teeth - it's enough to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up!
They are primarily found in the deeper and darker parts of the ocean, and while their 4-5 feet long appearance might alarm you, they aren't aggressive toward humans. But despite that, we'd still run a mile!
Simultaneously Cute and Creepy
Meet the feathered version of Chucky. This chick’s big eyes look like buttons or black pebbles, and they’re definitely more than a little unnerving, as is its oversized beak. Perhaps this bird’s demonic eyes simply live up to its name: the Ghost Bird or the Great Potoo. They’re commonly found in South America and have a blood-curdling scream. These insect-eating nocturnal birds look a little like owls, but they’re definitely not related.
Spotted in 2021 by a woman in Chibolo, Colombia, this rare bird is one we’d much rather avoid after dark! Maybe we’re being over-sensitive, but its menacing smile is enough to put us off birdwatching!
The Jaws of Hell
Forget the classically cute dog photo; here’s an image canine pet lovers around the world are sure to be horrified by. This dog looks like a super scary predator, but in fact, this Great Dane is anything but. It’s just that he has a fondness for his owner’s leaf blower. Confused? So were we. This dog is reportedly called Charlie. His owner observed that each time she used the leaf blower, he went crazy, barking furiously.
In fact, each time he is close to the blower, his jaws open wide, providing a full frontal view of his gums, sharp teeth, and massively huge cheeks! It's one of those pictures that's as funny as it is disconcerting.
Ever Seen a Bear With No Hair? Yeah, It's Not Pretty
We're used to seeing human beings roam the streets with no hair. People shave it off, go bald naturally, and do all sorts of things with the hair on their heads and bodies. But seeing animals with unusual hairstyles is something else. We never even thought to imagine a hairless bear - and after seeing this photo, we're glad we didn't. Doesn't this look extremely weird and creepy?
This hairless bear's name is Dolores, and she lives in a zoo in Germany. So if you're ever in the area, make sure to pay her a visit.
Counting These Sheep Is More Likely to Keep You Awake
We all joke about counting sheep when insomnia has us in its grip. However, after seeing this image, we may be forced to consider other remedies instead. It's fair to say that staring at the dozens of pairs of sheep eyes here has us feeling distinctly uncomfortable. We're not sure what's creepier, the fact the sheep's eyes appear to have a luminous quality or that they're all staring in the same direction.
There is something rather bizarre about all those eyes glowing in the dark, seemingly in our direction. Instead of having sweet dreams, we reckon we're more likely to be in for a nightmare!
Frogs Are One Thing That Never Need to Be Transparent
There's never a dull moment when you explore nature, and this image is no exception. We're looking here at a diaphonized frog. This technique was first developed by scientists in 1977. It's the process of staining deceased animals, reptiles, and amphibians to reveal their bones and organs. This image shows a frog - with every detail perfectly preserved thanks to the pink dye used here. You can clearly see the frog's spine, as well as some of its organs.
If you are one of those people who has a sensitivity to creepy animals, you may not want to look at this too closely. It's pretty terrifying - it almost looks like a Halloween decoration!
Part Gazelle, Part Giraffe
Here are two side-by-side images of a gazelle standing on its hind legs. In this case, it’s a Gerenuk, also known as a giraffe gazelle. There’s something uncomfortable about the way it’s standing while searching this bush for something to eat. A member of the antelope family, it resembles a praying mantis ready to strike. This particular animal is found in the Horn of Africa and parts of East Africa.
Just look at its front legs, seemingly raised, as if it's ready for combat. It's safe to say that if we saw this scene, we'd give this gazelle a wide berth!
So That’s Where Grandma’s Teeth Went
Around the world, fishing is a popular pastime and a time-old way of making a living. But, could you imagine this North Carolina fisher's surprise when this came out of the water attached to the end of their line? This water animal is actually a Sheepshead fish. While its teeth bear a close resemblance to human teeth, they are harmless. We still can't help but feel creeped out by his teeth!
It looks like its teeth are everywhere inside its mouth, so much so that it almost doesn't seem natural. We can't help but keep scrolling; we're afraid it will give us nightmares if we stare for too long!
Yes, Your Cat's Paws Might Look Like This, Too
Typically, when a cat lifts its paw, we tend to think it’s a cute and affectionate gesture toward us pet-owning humans. However, in this case, we’re not so sure. Yes, cats are generally adorable, including their sweet little pads that help to protect their precious paws. But there’s always an exception, and here it is. It’s a Sphinx cat, best known for not having any fur, and on average, it costs $1,500-$6,000 to buy one!
They have a striking appearance that certainly turns heads. But, it’ll be hard for some to look past this animal’s distinctive bat-like appearance. So, if you’re looking for a feline furball, this isn’t the cat breed for you.
That’s One Unlucky Turtle
The giant catfish lives on a diet of crustaceans, such as crabs and shrimps. But here’s an image of a giant catfish that unfortunately got more than it bargained for when it tried to eat a turtle for lunch. The turtle was too big, and the catfish choked. This particular catfish was found in a German lake. Its monster-like size alarmed the fisherman and spectators so much that they nicknamed it a dinosaur.
Thankfully, catfish don’t like eating humans, so if you happen to be swimming in freshwater or an estuary and come across one, there’s no need to run screaming for the hills.
Spidercat
Cat lovers know their kitties often have a sense of humor and a mischievous side. So here's one cat messing around with mirrors to freak out its fellow cat and owner. At first glance, we have a gray cat with multiple limbs - almost what you might imagine a spider crossed with a cat to look like. However, needless to say, that isn't the case. Instead of what appears to be an eight-limbed cat (thanks to the mirror), it's really just your standard four-legged feline friend.
Judging by its thousand-yard green-eyed glare, the mischief-making cat’s feline companion doesn’t look too impressed by the optical illusion. On the contrary, he seems like he might be as freaked out as its owner.
Why Do Sperm Whales Having a Nap Look so Eerie?
Sperm whales can be found in deep oceans around the world. They happen to be named after the waxy substance called Spermaceti, which is located in their heads. Fun facts aside, here's a photo of three sperm whales sleeping. No, it's not photoshopped. Apparently, sperm whales choose to sleep vertically and in groups, drifting just beneath the water surface and coming up in 15-minute bursts. During this period, they neither move nor breathe.
There’s something solemn and mysterious about this image, and it’d be fair to say that you’d be forgiven for thinking that, at first glance, these floating giants look like they’re deceased.
Farewell To Rosie, The Great White Shark
Let’s scroll back to 1997 when a great white shark got trapped in a family’s fishing nets in South Australia. With no way of rescuing her safely, she was sadly but humanely killed. Wildlife Wonderland bought the shark, called her Rosie, and displayed her in a tank until 2012, when the business went into administration. All live animals were then surrendered to the RSPCA. But no one wanted Rosie, so she stayed behind.
The park became derelict, and Rosie’s tank was vandalized; then, in 2019, the Crystal World Exhibition Centre, Victoria, in Australia, rescued her. They now continue to crowdfund to restore Rosie to her former glory.
Preying Mantis or Something Else Entirely?
At first glance, this image resembles a giant Praying Mantis, a predatory insect that appears to be ominously flying above people innocently walking along this misty-looking street. However, this is, in fact, misleading; it’s actually just a common mosquito. Yes, it’s a nasty blood-sucking mozzie, but it’s definitely normal-sized. Unfortunately, it simply got too close to this photographer’s camera lens, and this is the startling result. It looks like something out of a horror movie!
There are 3,000 mosquito species, and these insects are known to transmit more diseases than any other creature. It's incredible that something so tiny can be both such a nuisance and a danger!
A Chernobyl Piglet
Okay, this one is definitely not for the more sensitive members of our audience. This poor piglet was a victim of the Chernobyl nuclear accident in 1986. Just like the humans affected by it, animals in the area also became ill and gave birth to disfigured creatures. Such was the case with this little piglet whose arms and legs grew in all the wrong places.
It's interesting to think about how that human-made incident affected not just other humans but animals and the rest of Mother Nature's creations.
We'd Stay Away From This Cheetah if We Were You
There are wild animals we definitely would not want to cross, and here is one of them. This angry-looking cheetah reminds us of an enraged human, perhaps a grumpy grandparent we might have upset as a naughty kid maybe? Note to the wise: Cheetahs are the world's fastest land animal, with a top speed of 120km per hour in just 3 seconds! So, if you annoy one, we don't think you'll outrun it!
While we know they are basically big cats, we'd still prefer to share our life with a cute domestic cat. At least when they squint at you, you know the worst you're in for is a quick swipe or a mild attack of the ankles and not, well, death!
A Beachgoer Stumbled Across This Rare Fish
Most of us expect to come across a few pretty seashells when we’re on a beach walk. However, beachgoer Ben Eslef had quite the surprise when enjoying a nature walk at Crystal Cove State Park, Newport Beach, in California. He spotted this fish lying in the sand. The fish was identified as an 18-inch deep sea Pacific footballfish, a species of anglerfish. Although it’s not a rare fish, seeing one still intact like this is unusual.
Its teeth look terrifying! Known as predators, around 300 species of anglerfish live where sunlight is almost entirely absent: more than 3,000 feet below the Pacific Ocean's surface. That's pretty nuts, right?
Fox Frozen In Time
Foxes don’t hibernate, and although they develop a thick coat for colder months, they are not fully protected. They still have to hunt and forage for food. So, with that said, here’s a sad and somewhat eerie image of a fox caught in time. This photo captured the open-eyed animal frozen in ice. We don’t know which part of the world this image hails from, but we reckon it must be somewhere where it gets super cold.
Although it's common for foxes to sleep out in the snow, this poor creature evidently got unlucky when the temperature dropped even further. It's the open eyes that spook us the most!
This Fish Looks Too Human for Our Liking
No, this image isn’t the result of some joker messing around on Photoshop. This is real. It’s a disturbing-looking fish with a mouth that closely resembles lips with injectable fillers that have gone a bit wrong, not to mention teeth that have been super-whitened! This fish was found in Malaysia, and when it hit the internet, it quickly went viral. It’s actually a Triggerfish and really does have teeth and lips that resemble us mammals.
There are around 40 species of this unusual-looking fish. They're typically found in South Asia. But be warned, if you're looking for one, it's a biter, so no puckering up!
Imagine Randomly Encountering This Giant Stingray
Many of us have seen a real-life stingray or two. Maybe you had an unexpected run-in with one at the beach, or maybe you've observed them from close up at an aquarium. But few of us have encountered a stingray like the one in the photo below - especially just out in the wild! These Thai citizens found the huge stingray seen here in the Mekong River.
Not only is this stingray special because of its size, but it also has unique colors. Have you ever seen a stingray with these colors?
Conjoined Dolphins Exist
Teacher Tugrul Metin was vacationing in the Turkish coastal town of Dikili, Izmir, in 2014 when he encountered this rare sight. What we’re looking at here is a two-headed dolphin. The deceased mammal was thought to be a 12-month-old baby, measuring just 1 meter long. The two-headed dolphin shares one body and one tail. Police apparently removed the creature, which was taken to a laboratory so that scientists could explore it further.
Some newspapers reported concerns about the creature being some sort of mutant, thanks to polluted waters. But, honestly, that sounds a bit sensationalized. Even so, one thing's for sure; it's kinda creepy!
A South American Snake the Size of an 18-Wheeler
We have no words for how terrifying the sheer size of this colossal snake is! The one comfort is that the species pictured here (the Titanoboa) is said to be extinct. However, even if this nightmare reptile was still around, you might take some relief in the fact that it ate mainly fish. They must have been some of the biggest fish out there to sustain a beast like this!
But, the alarming thing is there's no definitive way to confirm a creature is 100% extinct; we can only make assumptions based on the fact there haven't been any sightings.
Not a Face You Want to Meet on Pancake Day
Here is a weird and somewhat terrifying picture. Whoever this cat owner is, they thought it would be funny to place a pancake on their cat’s face, and this is the result. This cat looks sinister, almost like it’s wearing some masked intruder disguise. It certainly looks like a cartoon-style villain. The cat’s eyes, in particular, appear glassy and menacing. In short, it’s a look that’s the stuff of nightmares.
We're really hoping that no one ate that pancake after it was draped over the cat's face - gross! We also hope this cat owner hasn't started some kind of niche viral trend. After all, what's wrong with just eating the pancakes?!
When You Announce Your Proposal Using Lobsters
There are many kinds of proposals: some elaborate, others beautiful in their simplicity. Then there’s telling the world that your proposal was accepted. Most people call their close friends and family and then announce it on social media with a cute picture of the ring. However, this romantic soul decided to use lobsters instead. These water animals are better known for being a delicacy, so quite why this Romeo chose to use them in this way beats us.
Perhaps this person is a keen angler or deals in fish? But could you imagine the smell? Call us old-fashioned, but we’d prefer some cooked lobster on a plate over a candlelit dinner.
This Orangutan Has Bad Habits
In 2018, a video emerged of an Orangutan smoking in captivity. Filmed in an Indonesian zoo, a young man throws his part-smoked cigarette into the Orangutan’s enclosure, at which point the mammal picks it up and starts smoking. This hard-to-watch video made it to AP News, who ran the story. We soon discovered that the privately owned Bandung Zoo has a regrettable reputation for mistreating animals. An online petition drew over 1 million signatures calling for the zoo’s closure.
There’s nothing about highly intelligent Orangutans that makes us feel uncomfortable; after all, they share almost 97% of our genes. But we’re definitely uneasy about this poor gentle creature’s treatment.
He'll Be Visiting Us in Our Nightmares
This greyhound would, on a good day, look pretty harmless. This dog breed is famously affectionate, with a mild and sensitive nature. But that's hard to believe when you see images like this with its teeth bared. If we saw this dog standing in our bedroom doorway, we'd definitely have nightmares. But after seeing this alarming image, we're not sure we ever want to get too close to finding out for ourselves whether they are as gentle and friendly as people say.
Look at how sharp this greyhound's teeth look and how angry its eyes are! We can't help but wonder what's annoyed this pooch! Maybe a bird is at the window? Perhaps its owner took its toy away? Who knows?
We Suddenly Understand Why Black Cats Are a Bad Omen
This cat owner posted a photo of their pet on Reddit after their black cat scared them so much they didn't quite make it to the bathroom on time. That's hardcore fear, right? This cat's jaws are wide open as if in readiness to sink its sharp teeth into a spare piece of its owner's flesh. Let's not forget those vivid staring green eyes - we simply have no words to describe our feelings about them.
Imagine yourself, feet up after a long day’s work, just about to watch your favorite TV show, when your gaze turns to the right, and you spot this horror hiding behind the remote control!
Why Does It Feel Like They're Staring at Us
Something about these falcon chicks staring straight at the camera with their unwavering and beady gaze gives us the creeps. At first glance, these fluffy feathered falcon babies look kind of harmless. But looking at this photo for too long leaves us with a lingering sense of unease as if they can see deep into our souls. Of course, it does not help that there are so many of them!
Let's not forget these are birds of prey known for their fast flight. They feed off small birds, insects, hares, mice, and lizards, which, considering they're birds, is somewhat terrifying!
This Mollusca Looks Like the Evil Eye
When we explore nature, there’s no need to restrict ourselves to what’s above ground. For example, here, a diver came across what most of us might at first glance believe to be a gouged-out human eye. Instead, it’s actually a giant keyhole clam or key limpet. Found in the northeastern Pacific Ocean, this limpet has a complex and detailed design that closely resembles our own naked eye, making us feel somewhat uncomfortable as a result.
For those with more exotic palettes, there is good news for those who aren’t allergic. You can eat this particular mollusk. Apparently, this sweet-tasting meat is similar to abalone. Who knew?
The Eyes Are the Window Into the Soul
Here’s a big dog with an impressively luxurious coat of fur and a pair of serious-looking and beautiful eyes. Suppose you were able to suspend reality for just a moment and forget this is a big furry animal. In that case, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the subject of this image looks remarkably like a human. It makes us feel pretty uncomfortable since the dog’s stare is pretty unwavering in its intensity.
Can you imagine how much it would cost the owners to maintain this exquisite mane? Don't quote us on this, but we think this magnificent pooch is a Finnish Lapphund.
Excuse Me, Where'd You Just Come From?
Here is another disturbing image for cat lovers around the world. Perhaps your pet cat secretly does this when your back is turned? But, in this case, the kittie's owner captured their cat literally crawling out of a household vent. Cats are amazing at squeezing themselves through and into small spaces, but to us, this is still a tad creepy. It gives the term "cat burglar" a whole new meaning.
If it were us, we’d ensure all our air vents and small spaces were covered with heavy objects so our cat couldn’t seemingly appear out of nowhere to scare us like this.
Dog Says Cheese for the Camera
What is it with animals and fish with weird and scary teeth? This black and white dog doesn’t seem at all shy, posing for the camera while baring its pearly whites. On the contrary, this pup looks happy to pose for this shot. However, what might have been quite a sweet photo, is instead a tad creepy, with the moment marred by the dog’s neat rows of almost human-like teeth.
This dog was apparently at the dentist when this photo was taken. We’re just grateful that there’s no wide-open moment going on here; that’d be even scarier, don’t you think?