Author: David

This unusual, 8-inch long marine worm looks like something out of a nightmare — a luxury nightmare, for that matter. Matthew Brown/NIWA In the vast Southern Ocean near Antarctica, there lives a giant polynoid worm that has some really peculiar looks. The two most stand-out characteristics of Eulagisca gigantea are its golden-bristled abdomen and a disturbing toothy grin on what appears to be its head, making it look like the creepiest luxury item ever. As weird as it may look, research suggests it could be crucial to the health of our ecosystems. Image credit: Matthew Brown/NIWA The latin name of bristle worms…

Friendships formed against the odds are the strongest of all. Image credit: Texas Fawn and Friends Coyote and badger. Orphaned baby rhino and zebra. Unlikely animal friendships are nothing short of amazing, and now can witness another special one between two creatures that are again very different – a raccoon and a fawn. Raccoons, mischievous and entertaining with their thieving habits and adorable looks, may tempt you with their cute faces and fluffy bodies, but be cautious. On the other hand, fawns are ethereal, elegant, and seem like they belong in a paradise garden. But how did these two vastly different beings…

This house was built on impossible terrain at a height of 4003 meters (13133 feet) in Switzerland in 1915. I wonder what technique was used to get it all up there, above the clouds…

These peaceful little guys (who are the largest rodents in the world) are called capybaras, and they get along extremely well with literally every other animal species. Including humans. How come? Well, it certainly doesn’t have to do with the fact that they eat their own waste. No, what it probably has to do with is their incredible inner peace. Just look at this. And indeed, the photo/video evidence of the capybara’s friendliness towards other animals is more than convincing. Apparently, all domestic and wild animals (including crocodiles!) seem to be happily hanging out with this friendly creature that looks…

Welcome to the most colorful river of the world. Rainbows are jealous of the beauty of Caño Cristales. Image credit: Mario Carvajal Caño Cristales is a vividly coloured river found in Colombia’s Meta region, in South America. It is commonly known as the “River of Five Colors” or the “Liquid Rainbow,” and when you are first confronted with its breathtaking beauty, you immediately know that these names are by no means an exaggeration. During the peak season, Caño Cristales sports vivid colours including black, blue, green, yellow and red,  the last caused by Macarenia clavigera plants. The river is said to contain no…

Hoodoos near Albuquerque, New Mexico. Image credit: Albuquerque Outdoors Magazine Hoodoos. Fairy chimneys. Earth pyramids. Tent rocks. They have many different names, but these strange badland rock formations are one and the same, and they can be found in various iterations across the planet. They typically consist of relatively soft rock topped by harder, less easily eroded stone that protects each column from the elements. They generally form within sedimentary rock and volcanic rock formations. Hoodoos at Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah wilderness area in northwestern New Mexico. Image credit: John Fowler Hoodoos are found mainly in the desert in dry, hot areas. They range in…

Glass Gem is arguably the most beautiful corn variety in the world with its amazing rainbow colors. And the story behind it is just as remarkable. Image credit: organicandhealthy.org It all began when Oklahoma farmer, Carl Barnes, set out to explore his Native American roots. In his adult years, he began growing older corn varieties as a way to reconnect with his heritage. He had a knack for corn breeding, excelling at selecting and saving seed from cobs that exhibited vivid, translucent colors. This eventually resulted in rainbow-colored corn. The story of this unique corn variety was largely retold by…

The ancient vertical-axis windmills of Nashtifan, Iran, are a marvel of engineering and a testament to human ingenuity. Image credit: Hadidehghanpour Located in the northeastern province of Khorasan Razavi, the town of Nashtifan is one of the windiest places in Iran, where wind speeds often reach 120 km/h (75 mph). About 30 windmills, also known as “wind catchers,” were built here a millennium ago to harness this powerful wind energy and grind grains into flour for bread. On the southern outskirts of the town – the name of which is derived from words that translate to “storm’s sting” – there is…

A newly discovered wondrous pool, which lies 700 ft. below Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico, has never before been seen by human eyes. The cave pool, which appears to be completely “virgin,” was found in Lechuguilla Cave in New Mexico, one the world’s largest and most famous caves. That said, the cave had not before been touched by humans at all, as scientists found this strange discovery at a depth of 213 meters below the entrance to the cave, which also happens to be one of the tallest (or deepest) in the world. Lechuguilla Cave and its unique…

The larval form giant bump-head sunfish had remained a mystery to ocean scientists – until now. Scientists from Australia and New Zealand have finally uncovered the early life stage of one of the largest fish on the planet, the giant bump-head sunfish (Mola alexandrini). Interestingly, the larva of the giant bump-head sunfish is ridiculously tiny and resembles something between a cinnamon crunch and a snowflake. The discovery was announced by the Australian Museum, whose collections were integral to the research. This species of bump-head sunfish is one of three Mola species that occupy Australian waters and is matched in weight only…

We all know bonsai, but who knew there were bonsai forests too? Image credits: wrathofgnon Upon leaving Kyoto, you can see vast cedar forests planted along the hillsides. The Kitayama cedar is highly prized for being exceptionally straight and knots-fee and has been in high demand since the 15th century. With such a demand and a general lack of growing space, foresters came up with an ingenious way to grow more wood using less land. The process involves the heavy pruning of a mother cedar tree, with tall, thin saplings encouraged to shoot upwards. Like a bonsai, but on a large…

For the first time in 60m years, an ancient plant has produced male and female cones in Britain outdoors. Botanists say this is a sign of global warming. 60 million years ago, the Cycad plant, or Sago palm (Cycas revoluta) grew naturally in the UK. For the first time since then, botanists have been able to produce both male and female cones on Cycads outdoors. Originally native to Japan, these plants typically prefer warm temperates and grow in subtropical regions. So how come they’re back to the UK? Well, apparently it all has to do with climate change. Back in…

Comparing the stars in the sky to sand grains is a common way of visualizing the enormity of the universe. But at some unique beaches in Japan’s Okinawa prefecture, the sand grains really are stars. Take a stroll along Hoshizuna no Hama (Star Sand Beach), located on Iriomote Island, enjoying your feet submerge in the sand. Look closely, and you’ll see that the sand on this beach is very special. Very special. The tiny star-shaped grains of sand you’ll see on your feet are actually the pointy husks of millions of tiny Foraminifera, which are part of the same protist…

Many researchers of the UFO phenomenon believe that Ancient rock art could prove that aliens or ancient astronauts once visited Earth. The cryptic drawings, known as petroglyphs discovered in Italy, show two men wearing helmets with strange weapons, suggesting that ancient astronauts might have arrived on Earth. Petroglyphs appear to show strange figures in protective suits, while white lines also appear to come from the heads, with some suggesting it depicts the lights built into the helmets. The drawings at Valcamonica, near the central Alps in northern Italy, are believed to be 10,000 years old and are part of a…

There is only a little information about this “alien mummy,” and there is only one documentary broadcast exclusively by the Sci-Fi network in 1998, called “The Secret KGB Abduction Files.” The same American television network provided the only authorized opinion at the broadcast. The team of experts responsible for evaluating the film confirmed its authenticity. The American chain has broadcast the film only once, and there is no other copy of the video available, except for these short films that are available online, thanks to those who took the time to record the broadcast. The film would show a secret…

The statues and ruins of a 2,000-year-old resort, famous for its opulence and luxury, are now a marine visitor attraction. Fishes surrounded Enrico Gallochio gently brushed the sand to reveal an ornate mosaic floor. The Roman nobility would host non-stop parties at Baiae, a quaint resort near Naples in Pozzuoli Bay. Four meters below the water’s surface, Gallochio passes more mosaic pavements and the remains of walls that once surrounded a spa. The mosaics date back to the third century and are only a tiny part of the remains discovered since Baiae, now a vast underwater archaeological park emerged from…

A sword from the Middle Ages was discovered by an amateur diver off the Mediterranean coast. Experts believe there are several archaeological treasures on the site. An Israeli scuba diver has discovered an ancient sword believed to have belonged to a medieval Crusader, the Israel Antiquities Authority said Monday. The meter-long blade was lying on the Mediterranean seabed off the Carmel Coast in 5-meter-deep (16-foot-deep) water, encrusted with marine organisms. The man, identified as Shlomi Katzin, was on a weekend dive in northern Israel when he noticed the sword’s distinctive hilt and handle after the undercurrent shifted the sand concealing…

Monkey D. Luffy is the protagonist of Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece. Luffy set out on the journey to becoming the Pirate King over two years ago and has, since then, become an incredible pirate. With the power of the Gomu Gomu no Mi, combined with his keen mind when it comes to combat, Luffy is nigh unstoppable in combat. RELATED:Things The One Piece Anime Does Better Than The Manga Over the years, he’s faced adversity in many forms and overcome them with his many power-ups. Currently, Luffy is strong enough to fight the strongest of the Yonko in a one-on-one battle,…

Conqueror’s Haki is one of the rarest powers to exist in the One Piece world. Unlike the other two Haki forms, this power isn’t accessible by everyone but exists within only a chosen few. Its basic level allows the user to intimidate and overwhelm those who have weaker wills. The advanced usage of this technique allows the user to coat themselves with Conqueror’s Haki and deal significantly greater damage to their enemies. Although Conqueror’s Haki is rare in One Piece, many users exist in the New World and only a handful have total mastery over it. Updated on February 21, 2023, by Rei Penber: Conqueror’s…

One Piece has a plethora of characters, and almost every single one has its own fanbase. The popularity of these characters is a result of Oda’s hard work and dedication. Oda has put in extra effort to ensure that the characters in One Piece stand out in their unique ways. Aside from giving them interesting personalities, Oda has also given them incredible designs, which include their clothes, tattoos, and hair. When it comes to hair and hairstyles, Oda has created some of the most spectacular designs, which never fail to capture the attention of the fans. With that in mind, here are some One…

Why do we never see baby pigeons? Where did they go? Chances are you haven’t seen this face yet, and the reason is simple. Source Visit any big city anywhere in the world, its squares will undoubtedly be filled with hundreds, if not thousands, of head-bobbing pigeons. But despite their numbers, you never see their chicks. How come? Well, the pigeons you come across eating leftover pizza and ice cream in the streets are mostly feral pigeons (Columba livia domestica). This subspecies was originally bred from the wild rock dove, the world’s oldest domesticated bird, a species that nests and breeds…

While icebergs may seem like gentle giants, they can release a devastating force during the rare occasion of them flipping over. And while undeniably, this reveals their incredibly beautiful underside, it also causes tsunamis, earthquakes, and it can even devour nearby vessels. But what does exactly make these towering mountains of ice flip over in the first place? To understand this process, we have to know what icebergs are exactly. The picture was taken an hour after this iceberg has flipped. Image credits: Chris Feichtner According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an iceberg is a huge piece of ice, that’s…

A historical event has occurred at the Bronx Zoo when, for the first time since its opening in 1899, six Komodo dragons have hatched there. This landmark is a very important step for wildlife conservation since the species is classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and mating between these reptiles can often be problematic, especially under enclosures. One of the first Komodo dragons that hatched in the Bronx Zoo. Image credits: Julie Larsen Maher © Bronx Zoo/WCS The Komodo Dragon’s natural habitat can be found on Komodo Island and a few neighboring islands of the…

Most edible mushrooms are relatively small, but in West Africa as well as Zambia, there’s one particularly enormous species that outgrows all the rest of them. Termitomyces titanicus. A rather fitting name for such a huge species. Image credit: Danny Newman In Zambia, where mushroom-gathering is an important part of life, the Termitomyces titanicus is especially held in high regard. While the largest fungus (and organism) in the world is of the genus Armillaria and is currently consuming Oregon on 1,000 hectares, Termitomyces titanicus is the world’s largest edible mushroom, with a cap that can measure a little more than three feet (one meter) across. Interestingly, this giant…