Buzz
We live in an ever-changing, vibrant world filled with endless variety and awe, from the smallest kittens to the grand and towering sequoia trees. Our planet is overflowing with amazing animals and exotic plants that never fail to astonish and delight us every single day!
Now, let’s remove the rose-colored glasses and take a deeper dive into this vast diversity, particularly the creatures that slink and screech in the shadows of the night. Let’s explore the underside of rotting logs, the abyssal depths of the ocean, and the hidden canopies of faraway rainforests. In these places, you’ll find freaks of nature and biological nightmares that seem like they belong on Planet X—or perhaps straight out of a secret lab here on Earth.
No matter how you look at it, this eerie mix of monsters is enough to give you nightmares, and the fact that these creatures are real—and not just figments of science fiction—adds to their horror. So, let’s sit back and take a look at this collection of nightmarish beings that could’ve made Marvin the Martian pack up and leave, but remember: Don’t feed the plants—they bite!
10. Globsters
Imagine this unsettling scene: You’re strolling along the beach, basking in the sunlight and enjoying a cheerful day by the ocean. Then, out of nowhere, you come face to face with a massive, unrecognizable lump of decaying flesh (often referred to as a “globster”) washed ashore from the deep sea. This phenomenon happens quite often around the world, with some of these creatures requiring DNA testing to determine their origin. We’re talking dead whales, porpoises, squid, and even land mammals, all in advanced stages of decomposition, making them unidentifiable and appearing like something from another world! Others look grotesque and alien simply because they were pulled from the dark depths of the ocean, cast into the harsh, sunlit world they’re ill-equipped for.
There have been numerous reports of such deep-sea remnants washing up on shore. In July 2008, a grotesque, “beaked” animal carcass was found on the shores of Montauk, Long Island. Speculation ran rampant, with theories suggesting it could be an alien, a raccoon, a dog, or the result of a failed scientific experiment. But we may never know for sure, as the body mysteriously vanished shortly after being discovered. Then, in September 2017, a massive, decaying carcass measuring 9.8 meters (32 ft) washed up on the beaches of Leyte in the Philippines, filling the air with a foul odor. Though it was never officially identified, many suspect it was a whale. That same month, another strange, elongated creature with fangs appeared on the Texas City shoreline after Hurricane Harvey. It was later identified as a fangtooth snake-eel (Aplatophis chauliodus), not a monster after all.
While these putrid, decomposing masses of flesh may seem strange to us today, imagine how they were interpreted centuries ago, long before modern forensics existed. In 1808, a gigantic carcass measuring 16.8 meters (55 ft) was found washed up on the Scottish island of Stronsay, emitting a foul stench that filled the air. Known as the Stronsay Beast, it was said to have a long, serpentine body with three pairs of legs (or so it was believed at the time). This was the first of many such carcasses to appear on the island, and it contributed to the sea monster lore of Scotland, with the most famous of them all, the legendary Nessie, reigning as the queen of these tales to this day.
9. Slime Molds Make Great Pets
Slime molds are single-celled, eukaryotic organisms (think amoebas) that can grow as large as 4 meters (13 ft) and can be found all around the world, particularly on forest floors rich in decaying plant matter. They lack a brain or nervous system, yet they seem to make intelligent choices when hunting for food. These remarkable organisms can ooze, creep, and skillfully navigate through mazes in lab experiments at a pace of 1 centimeter (0.4 in) per hour. If they’re lucky, they’ll reach their favorite meal: porridge oats, which they will wrap, dissolve, and absorb in that order.
These primitive life-forms, resembling fungi, take on fascinating forms (including one that looks like dog vomit), and in the wild, they boldly ooze around, merging with other slime mold cells, extending pseudopods as they search for food like bacteria, yeast, and fungi. Their appearance and behavior call to mind the iconic “Blob” from the 1958 horror film of the same name—though in a much smaller, less terrifying package.
Because slime molds are simple to grow and care for, they have become a popular subject for budding scientists. However, if any lab specimen grows larger than 4 meters and starts creeping toward the researcher, the best course of action would be to head toward the nearest exit!
8. Zombie Fungus
One of the most horrifying creepy-crawlies in existence is the ghastly tarantula—few would disagree. But now, picture this: It has a nemesis so much more horrific and repulsive that, for once, we might actually find ourselves rooting for the spider! This creature is Cordyceps, a fungus mostly found in tropical regions, particularly across Asia. What makes Cordyceps so uniquely terrifying is its ability to invade the bodies of insects and spiders, replacing their tissues with its own, gradually transforming both their physical form and behavior.
When Cordyceps takes control of a tarantula, the fungus replaces the spider’s tissue, eventually killing it. Once the spider dies, long, spindly stalks and branching, antler-like structures erupt from its decaying body, releasing spores that will go on to infect other unsuspecting spiders. The result is so grotesque and alien that the body looks like it belongs to some nightmarish arachnid dimension! Credit where it’s due, though—Cordyceps earns its stripes in making a tarantula look even more grotesque, dead or alive.
As if that weren’t disturbing enough, certain varieties of Cordyceps are known to invade the brains of ants and caterpillars, controlling their actions to transport and spread the fungus’s spores. It’s akin to a zombie apocalypse, but with arthropods leading the charge!
7. Invasion Of The Brown Snot Algae
In a wild twist of nature, imagine if a slime mold and a zombie fungus were to unite and elope—one of their possible (if not spiritually) offspring might be the brown snot algae, a rapidly spreading menace that is choking rivers and other water sources worldwide. Known as “Didymo” (Didymosphenia geminata), scientists are still unsure if this diatom is expanding uncontrollably or if it was already present globally to begin with. It first emerged in British Columbia in the late 1980s when dense mats of brown slime began invading several kilometers of river, and from there, it spread southward and beyond.
This substance is downright repulsive—on par with Swamp Thing in terms of grossness! Often given the equally unflattering name “rock snot,” this vile goo is becoming a global menace for both fishermen and the aquatic creatures they target. In New Zealand, it has invaded numerous waterways, growing as thick as 18 centimeters (7 in) in some places! It has even found its way into freshwater aquariums, contaminating them with its slimy presence.
Didymo is one of the most invasive species we've encountered to date, and the fact that it looks like soggy toilet paper just makes it even more disheartening. Why can’t more invasive species come in the form of something more pleasant, like roses, instead?
6. Fisher Cats Need Not Apply
And now, we move on to a real-life critter, though it’s certainly not one you’d want to welcome into your backyard . . .
Fisher cats, commonly known as fishers, are the second-largest members of the weasel family, measuring between 81 and 102 centimeters (32–40 in) in length. Despite their misleading name, they are neither true cats nor fishers (unless they happen upon a fish while rummaging through your trash). However, they are highly efficient predators with sharp claws and teeth, terrorizing both suburban and forested areas in Canada and the Northern US. These ugly, bloodthirsty creatures sometimes kill just for sport and can even scale trees like squirrels, often screeching like banshees from above. Tarzan would likely flee from these beasts. They hunt and devour nearly every rodent, mammal, or bird they can catch, and as human settlements encroach on their habitat, these sly creatures are losing their fear of us and our pets!
In the 1700s and 1800s, fisher cats were wiped out from the Northeast US due to unregulated trapping and farmland expansion into the wilderness. But in the 1950s, they were reintroduced to Northern New England to curb the overpopulation of porcupines, which fishers easily catch and consume. Unfortunately, while the forests have since reclaimed old farmland in the north, fisher cats have adapted to their new surroundings and frequently invade residential areas. Watch out, Garfield! Unlike raccoons that have long been known for trash raids, fishers don’t just scavenge—they’ve been known to kill your dog and devour your cat! They’ve even attacked children. If you have a chicken coop, make sure it’s fisher-proof, or risk having them slaughter every single bird. In 2007, a lone fisher decimated 68 turkeys at a farm in Connecticut before being chased off! Fishers now occupy areas they weren’t originally found in, and locals are questioning the wisdom of introducing such “killing machines,” especially since they have no natural predators and seem to grow bigger and fiercer every year.
But on the West Coast, fisher cats may have a natural enemy—and a formidable one at that. Fishers have been pushed onto public lands in Washington, Oregon, and California, where they’re now being threatened by illegal marijuana farming. Rodenticides used in these illicit farms are poisoning the carnivores, either directly or indirectly when they feed on smaller, poisoned animals. This is a setback for conservationists trying to repopulate the fisher cat population, but it’s hard to feel too sorry for an animal that can successfully bite through a porcupine . . .
5. Have You Taken A Good Look At Crabs Lately?
We all love crab cakes, crab dip, and crab bisque, and most of us think fondly of these chubby little sea creatures with their adorable, wobbly eyestalks and quirky sideways shuffle. Maybe we even recall Disney’s colorful crab, Sebastian, and smile. But if you knew what some of these crabs actually look like, you might lose your appetite for seafood altogether—or at the very least, opt for lobster instead!
Have you ever laid eyes on the Japanese spider crab (Macrocheira kaempferi), which can live for up to a century and boasts long, spindly legs stretching up to four meters (13 ft)? How would you feel about those crab legs served up at your dinner table? Or have you heard of the recently discovered tree crab species in India (Kani maranjandu), which mimic black spiders in their size, shape, agility, and speed? Would you fancy them in your bisque? And what about that 15-meter (50 ft) Crabzilla supposedly lurking in Whitstable Harbour, UK? Well, that photo was just a hoax, but rest assured, there’s another type of crab out there just as terrifying . . .
. . . or even more terrifying! Enter the meter-long (3.3 ft) coconut crabs—those massive, tree-climbing, island-dwelling behemoths that not only crack open and consume coconuts, but also hunt rats and birds. Some even speculate that these giant nutcrackers might have had a hand in the disappearance of Amelia Earhart! Believe it or not, people have been known to keep coconut crabs as pets, and in some bizarre instances, as slaves; island dwellers have reportedly used them to guard their coconut plantations, as they become quite irritable around intruders. Imagine being a coconut thief under the cover of night, only to be confronted by a horde of angry, scuttling coconut crabs, each capable of pinching you above the knee. That’s enough to make even the most seasoned burglar reconsider his life choices—and fast!
4. Tree Tumbo, That Ancient Eyesore
Most travelers in the Namib Desert, located in coastal Southwest Africa, often overlook the tree tumbo (Welwitschia mirabilis), failing to recognize it as a tree. Some passersby don’t even acknowledge it as a living organism. And it’s easy to see why: this low-lying pile of greenery looks more like something a cat dragged in or the aftermath of a garbage disposal mishap. But despite its unkempt appearance, let’s take a moment to examine this ancient plant more closely—though, perhaps, not too closely.
The tree tumbo (also known as “tumboa,” “onion of the desert,” and the ever-popular “What the heck is that?”) is a living fossil that has survived since the Jurassic Period. Essentially, it’s a tree that has been forced underground, with its subterranean trunk drawing water from the soil in a dry, arid environment. The tree tumbo stands largely alone taxonomically, as it’s a remnant of the past; when the environment shifted and became more inhospitable, its relatives faded into extinction. Nevertheless, some of these plants are believed to be as much as 2,000 years old! Tumboa continues to thrive today due to its hardy structure and remarkable adaptability, despite being confined to a narrow stretch of land about 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) long, running along the coast from Central Namibia to Southern Angola.
We respect your impressive longevity, tree tumbo, and we admire your ingenuity, but perhaps it's time for a little makeover.
3. Invasion Of The . . . Ladybugs?
Ladybugs, or ladybirds as they’re called in the UK, are probably the most adorable of all insects. Even those with the faintest stomach for creepy crawlies find joy in their delicate fluttering, and many people consider them to be harbingers of good fortune.
Now imagine thousands of them bringing good luck right to your doorstep—and your back door, patio, and rooftop, too. And just to make sure you don’t miss out on any of those good vibes, they find their way into your house through any crack or opening they can find! This happens across homes in the Eastern US from October through November as these little houseguests seek a warm refuge for the winter. They seem to pick out individual homes to invade, often completely ignoring the houses next door, and the sight of a crawling, writhing swarm of tiny red insects can be truly unnerving. Some people have had to use shovels just to remove them from their homes!
Luckily, experts offer a few useful tips. Ladybug swarms tend to prefer light-colored homes with natural wood siding and lots of cracks, so it might be time to start remodeling. Also, be mindful of where you step. Crushing a bunch of them underfoot has been known to leave unsightly stains on carpets.
2. Jackal Food
In the dry, coastal thickets of Southern Africa, there’s a plant so hideous and repulsive that the nicest term locals have for it is “jackal food” (Hydnora africana). This parasitic plant lives mostly underground, feeding off succulent plants in the genus Euphorbia. It only emerges when it’s time to reproduce, which is when it unfurls its grotesque head (technically a flower, believe it or not). This plant has scales instead of leaves, no chlorophyll, and its “head” bears a strange resemblance to a crazed version of Pac-Man. Adding to its unpleasantness, the flowers emit a foul odor resembling dung, which attracts small beetles into their “mouths”—if the plant’s appearance didn’t already do enough to disgust you. This parasitic abomination is so horrifying that even the Venus flytrap seems like a delicate bouquet in comparison!
Ironically, this plant does have a couple of redeeming qualities. For one, it eventually lets the beetles it catches escape, as eating them doesn’t help with pollination. And despite its scaly, grotesque “head,” this plant has astringent properties that can be used to treat acne. Quite the surprise, right?
1. The Strangler Fig
Picture this: you're going about your day, living peacefully, when suddenly an unseen force wraps its strong, unyielding arms around you, and you realize too late that you're being slowly choked by an ever-tightening grip.
This exact scenario is playing out every day in rainforests across the globe! The strangler fig tree has developed an unsettling and unique method of parasitism. It begins life as an epiphyte, a plant that takes root on the branches or crevices of host trees after birds deposit its seeds through their droppings. As the fig grows, its roots curl around the host tree like an unrelenting predator, squeezing tighter and tighter until both trees are locked in a battle for nutrients. If the strangler fig outlives its host, the situation takes a darker turn.
If the host tree succumbs to this vicious competition, it decays and rots away, leaving behind only the strangler fig's twisted roots and branches spiraling into empty space. The result is a hauntingly surreal sight, reminiscent of a ship inside a bottle or a staircase leading into the sky. For the small birds and mammals that make their home within this chaotic tangle, however, it’s just another cozy spot to hang out—no rent required.
