The animal world is full of surprises, with some creatures being more eye-catching than others because of their strange looks or unusual nature.
When I first saw a picture of this weird “penis snake,” I thought it was a joke. But, to my surprise, it turned out to be a real animal. So, let’s dive into the story behind the viral image that has left thousands of people in shock.
Throughout history, anything shaped like a phallus has grabbed attention and sparked curiosity. A few years ago, images of a strange-looking creature started making the rounds online, leaving many people scratching their heads in disbelief.
With its unique appearance, this mysterious animal quickly earned nicknames like the “penis snake,” “blind snake,” or the “man-aconda.”
But no, it’s not what you think.
Even though it looks a lot like a snake, this creature is actually called *Atretochoana eiselti*. It’s not a snake at all, but an amphibian, more closely related to a salamander. It’s also the largest known lungless tetrapod, which means it breathes through its skin instead of lungs.
This rare animal lives in the waters of the Amazon in Brazil and was hard to find for a long time. It was first discovered by Sir Graham Hales during an expedition with Sir Brian Doll in the late 1800s.
However, it wasn’t officially described until 1968. After more research, scientists reclassified it in 1996, giving it its own unique genus, *Atretochoana*.
In 2011, this species was rediscovered in the Amazon region. It lives only in the Amazon River and its largest tributary, the Madeira River in Brazil. The “penis snake” has only been found in this area and nowhere else in the world.
The viral pictures that blew up the internet a few years ago actually came from 2011. That’s when a whole family of these phallic-shaped creatures was found at the bottom of the Madeira River in Brazil. They were discovered when the river was drained during work on a hydroelectric dam.
Julian Tupan, a biologist working with the Santo Antonio Energy company on the dam, explained that not much is known about these lungless, limbless amphibians.
“Out of the six we collected, one died, three were released back into the wild, and two were kept for study,” he told *Estadao*, according to the U.K.’s *The Sun*.
Tupan pointed out that these “snakes” aren’t dangerous and are unlikely to show any aggressive behavior.
“Even though they look like snakes, they’re not reptiles; they’re more closely related to salamanders and frogs. We think the animal breathes through its skin and probably eats small fish and worms, but that hasn’t been proven yet.
“The Amazon is full of surprises when it comes to reptiles and amphibians. There’s still a lot more to discover.”
According to a paper published in the Brazilian scientific journal *Boletim do Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi: Ciências Naturais*, one of these creatures found in the riverbed was photographed extensively. Some of the animals were released back into the Madeira River, while others were sent to the Emilio Goeldi Paraense Museum in Belem, Brazil.
The most popular photo, which Julian Tupan shared on Instagram, shows an adult female *A. eiselti* that’s just under 40 inches long.
Even though these creatures are fascinating, there’s still a lot we don’t know about them. One mystery that puzzles researchers is their diet. Scientists think these phallic-shaped animals might eat small fish, worms, and other aquatic invertebrates, but more research is needed to confirm this.
Another mystery about these creatures is how they breathe, as scientists haven’t confirmed the method yet. When the six specimens were discovered in 2011, it made things even more puzzling. What’s especially interesting is where they were found— in cold, fast-flowing water with limited oxygen. Since warmer water holds less oxygen, their ability to live without lungs is even more remarkable.
Based on these findings, scientists believe this species might be widespread across the Brazilian Amazon and could even extend into Bolivia.
Nature constantly surprises us with its endless wonders. From the deepest oceans to the tallest mountains, the natural world is full of amazing things waiting to be discovered.
Share this incredible story on Facebook with your friends and family to spark their curiosity and get them talking about the wonders of nature!
Pamela Anderson Stuns at the Oscars Without Makeup and Sparks Criticism, «The Hair Is Tragic»
While everyone at the Oscars 2024 was dressed to the nines, Pamela Anderson broke the norms. The 56-year-old actress ditched makeup and wore only her smile as an accessory, alongside her son who she shares with Tommy Lee.
A yellow, floral dress that stole the show.
At 56, the celebrated actress and writer graced the event in a dress as radiant as the morning sun. Adorned with sparkling sequins and delicate, translucent details, her gown was a vision of floral elegance. Her son, 27-year-old Brandon Thomas Lee, was her date to the Vanity Fair Oscar event and he complemented her style with a timeless tuxedo, complete with a classic bow tie.
Pamela’s make-up free look was refreshing to the eyes.
Pamela’s decision to embrace a makeup-free look was supported by her golden locks that framed her face with effortless grace. This isn’t the first time Pamela has attended an event bare-faced, the actress actually made a decision to go makeup-free a few months back and has stayed true to her word so far.
Her look received mixed reactions.
While fans praised Pamela for her bravery, many were not super happy about her choice and her dress. «Make up free is cool, but why did she start dressing in tablecloths?» commented a person. «I commend her courage…but there is a time and place for everything and this just ain’t it,» added another. Several people also pointed out that not wearing makeup is one thing but she could have at least gotten her hair done, «gorgeous, but can she at least comb her hair!», expressed a fan. «…the hair is tragic,» added another.
Wondering what made her embrace the natural look instead of the usual glam she was famous for? Read the story here.
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