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.”
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.
Wikipedia Commons / Tobias von AnhaltAnother 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!
78-Year-Old Goldie Hawn Ages Gracefully and Doesn’t Care About Body Changes
While Goldie Hawn might have been out of the spotlight for the past couple of years, she’s been keeping busy connecting with fans on social media, sharing snaps alongside her family and closest people. Her daughter, Kate Hudson, recently shared a casual snapshot of Hawn that got some of Hudson’s 17 million followers wondering if Hawn might be pregnant.
Goldie is the cutest grandma to her seven grandchildren.
Goldie Hawn is known for being the coolest grandma around. She often shares these adorable moments with her fans, giving us a peek into the special connection she has with each of them. Plus, that’s not an easy job when you’re the grandma to seven grandchildren. Indeed, Hawn and her longtime partner Kurt Russell are grandparents to Kate’s three kids — Rani Rose, Bingham, and Ryder; Oliver’s three kids — Bodhi, Wilder, and Rio; and Wyatt Russell’s son, Buddy Prine, whom he welcomed in 2021.
Hawn couldn’t be happier with how her children’s lives are turning out and how they’re doing so well in their careers, but now she’s thrilled to be moving forward in life and sharing her wisdom with her grandkids, too. She emphasized the importance of hard work, compassion, and staying grounded, values instilled in her by her father: «And I’m passing that on because that was what my father taught me: Stay in reality. Don’t get taken away with everything.»
Hawn continued by expressing that the rest of the journey is in the hands of her children. She mentioned the importance of being present for them and understanding that they will need to resolve their own challenges, even though it may be difficult.
Her daughter Kate shared a carousel of family moments.
Kate shared a lovely photo on Instagram capturing her mother and daughter, Rani Rose Fujikawa, bonding, alongside a series of candid family snapshots from their household. The images gave a glimpse into the warm and inviting atmosphere of the Hudson home, guided by Kate and her fiancé, musician Danny Fujikawa.
The picture shows Goldie Hawn and her granddaughter sharing a beautiful moment captured in a touching scene, with Hawn leaning over to lovingly embrace the girl, both dressed in relaxed outfits. In the photo, Hawn looked laid-back in a comfy gray outfit, her hair flowing freely as she shared a warm smile.
But people found something «weird» in this snap
Observers noted the way Rani leaned against Hawn, combined with the lighting and wrinkles of Hawn’s shirt, led some to speculate that Hawn might be pregnant, sporting what appeared to be a baby bump. «Goldie looks pregnant, no? Is it just my imagination?» one commenter pondered. Another echoed the sentiment, questioning, «Why does she look pregnant?» However, amidst the speculation, there were also concerns for Hawn’s well-being. «I hope Goldie is well?!» one follower expressed.
Goldie always takes great care to maintain her fitness.
But Hawn Instagram page is not just about family moments, and people’s comments. From time to time, her social profile is like a goldmine for solid advice, especially when it comes to staying healthy and looking fabulous as you age. At 78, she’s rocking it, showing off her killer fitness and healthy eating habits that are total goals. Want to know her secrets?
Goldie’s diet is all about keeping it simple and healthy. No dairy, no sugar, no wheat. Instead, she starts her day with a green juice packed with kale, green peppers, parsley, and celery. Hawn’s holistic approach extends beyond diet to encompass her beauty practices, as she reveals a preference for chemical-free hair care.
Goldie’s stunning, golden locks aren’t just a coincidence of her name; they’re a result of her choice to steer clear of hair coloring treatments. Her commitment to embracing natural beauty stands out as a refreshing break from the usual norms.
As a symbol of graceful aging, Goldie Hawn radiates wisdom and serves as an inspiration not just for her peers, but for anyone looking to embrace aging with grace and energy. By openly sharing her fitness and skincare secrets, she empowers others to find their own paths to well-being and self-love.
We adore Goldie and her entire family, regardless of any speculation or negative comments from others. But you know what we cherish even more? The beautiful bond that she and her partner, Kurt Russell, share.
Preview photo credit katehudson / Instagram
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