we are here on the Blind Side will go From a huge rooster that could take on a toddler, to a giant of the horse world, here are 15 of the biggest and largest creatures found in the world. 

World’s Largest Spider  

As if the world’s smallest spider wasn’t terrifying enough, they had to go and create the world’s largest. And it’s kind of freaky. The world’s largest spider, or at least the one we know about so far, is a goliath bird-eating spider. Contrary to what the name suggests though, birds are not at the top of the list of their favorite things to eat.  

Out of all spiders that fall within this enormous spider’s breed, the largest one ever found was in Venezuela in 1965. It was discovered by Pablo San Martin Expedition members in Rio Cavro and had an 11-inch leg span! That’s more than enough to cover a dinner plate.  

In 1998, another giant goliath bird-eating spider came into the picture. This time, it was a pet. The two-year-old spider was reared by Brian Burnett in Perthshire and was bred by Robert Bustard. It weighed a whopping six ounces.  

If you were to ever come across this spider, and most people will try not to, you would find them in coastal rainforests in French Guiana, Guyana, and Surinam. They have even been found as far away as Brazil and Venezuela. The average lifespan for this eight-legged nope-creature is ten years.  

World’s Largest Raccoon 

The average raccoon weighs between 14 and 23 pounds, and even at that weight, they look cute, chubby, and cuddly. At that weight, raccoons are by no means underweight, so you can only imagine what one above that weight looks like. 

Bandit, the raccoon, who was born in 1994 and died in 2004, weighed nearly 75 pounds. At that weight you’d be forgiven for thinking he’s spent too much time dumpster diving, but that’s not the case at all.  

Bandit was born with a thyroid issue that caused considerable weight gain. When he was born, he was raised by a dog as one of her puppies and was then cared for by a Pennsylvanian woman by the name of Debra Klitsch. Given his considerable size and speedy weight gain, Bandit was named the world’s fattest raccoon in The Guinness Book of World Records.  

Without the thyroid problem, Bandit would likely have been within a healthy weight range. Their diets consist of invertebrates, plant materials, walnuts, fish, bird eggs, nuts, and similar.  

Largest Bird in the World  

The ostrich has many things to be proud of when it comes to points of difference. It’s the only bird with two toes on its feet instead of three or four, and it has the most enormous eyes of any bird at up to two inches in diameter.  

It would scoop up a few awards in a running race, too, for it can sprint at speeds of up to 44 miles per hour with strides of about 16 feet. They’re not dawdlers, that’s for sure.  

But perhaps one of their most significant accolades is their size and heft. Ostriches are the world’s largest bird, and they know how to throw their weight around – pardon the pun.  

They use their giant wings, which have a span of around 6.5 feet, for a myriad of different tasks. They shade their chicks, cover the naked skin of their upper legs to conserve heat, and also prove quite useful in displays of mating as well. When they run, the wings also act as rudders for direction-changing. They don’t fly, but we’re sure if they did, their wings would carry them a fair distance.  

They also weigh up to 320 pounds and nine feet long and have both long necks and legs with round bodies. Females are brown, but the males are a fascinating mixture of black and white.  

You now know that ostriches are the largest bird found on earth, but did you know people have been spreading lies about them? Contrary to popular belief, they don’t bury their heads in the sand. Instead, they press their necks to the ground to blend them into their environment. This, from a distance, can make it look like their heads are buried.  

What isn’t up for debate, however, is that these birds are massive and are probably not animals you’d want to cross.  

World’s Tallest Horse 

Farm manager Jerry Gilbert purchased three-year-old Big Jake the draft horse when he was three years old. He wasn’t all that unique or remarkable, even though he weighed 240 pounds when he was born and was quite a bit taller than other foals.  

But Jake didn’t stop growing at three years old and went on to claim the title of the world’s tallest horse.  

Big Jake is a Belgian Gelding and stands at 20 hands without shoes or 82.75 inches. He was officially given the title of the tallest living horse in January 2010. Since he skyrocketed to fame, hundreds of people have visited Smokey Hollow Farm in Poynette, Wisconsin, to catch a glimpse of this majestic creature. Jerry admits that life has been a bit busier since that coveted title.  

Believe it or not, Big Jake’s parents were of average size, but Jake is anything but. And to cater to that great bulk, he eats a bucket of grain twice per day and at least one bale of hay daily too. Alongside food, Jerry had to make sure his accommodation was tall enough for Jake as well.  

While Jake used to compete in draft horse showing competitions, he’s now living a quiet life. He greets fans at events and hangs out on the farm with his horse friends. He also loves being the center of attention, making sure there is plenty of people around to scratch his neck and belly.  

World’s Tallest Recorded Giraffe  

A tall giraffe, duh, they’re all tall. But surely there is one (or more) that are just a bit taller than the rest? You’d be right. While it’s hard to know if Zulu, a giraffe at Folly Farm Zoo in Pembrokeshire, is the tallest ever giraffe, he is at least the tallest ever recorded. And he’s pretty tall.  

While there is no 100 percent accurate way to measure the extra-stubborn Zulo, he just manages to tuck under his 20-foot-tall enclosure. That means he is at least 19 feet tall – some four feet taller than the average giraffe. He also towers above the other three giraffes with which he shares his enclosure.  

To be that tall, Zulu also has to have the loft to go with it – and he does. He weighs 1.3 tons, which means if he doesn’t want to do something, such as have someone measure him, then you can’t make him. There’s no coercing or shifting this mammoth creature.  

The crew at Folly Farm are impressed with Zulu’s height, but they aren’t the only ones. Even giraffe transportation specialists from the Netherlands had never seen a giraffe as tall, and they likely never will again. Zulu is truly one of a kind, and if he were in the wild, he’d have the ladies fighting for his attention.  

Largest Polar Bear Ever Recorded  

The unfortunate reality of climate change is that polar bears are possibly smaller now than ever before. As the mercury goes up, the Arctic sea ice melts, and polar bears starve for months every year. The primary prey are seals, but even the polar bear struggles to hunt them. As a result, polar bears are not only smaller than they’ve ever been but are also not living as long. 

However, that’s not to say there haven’t been polar bears at the larger end of the scale. Most of them weigh up to 900-ish pounds and stand at about four feet, four inches tall. The Beaufort Sea polar bear can weigh nearly 1,000 pounds.  

But in 1960, a huge polar bear was killed in Kotzebue Sound, northwestern Alaska, that made scientists at the time wonder if there were massive polar bears out there.  

This particular bear weighed over 2,200 pounds – around twice that of male polar bears in the world today. It was also measured at 4-5 feet in shoulder height. This polar bear towered above its smaller counterparts.  

While we’re unlikely to see polar bears of that size today, that find was proof that at one stage, one of the largest polar bears ever to exist was found.  

 The Largest Rooster 

Roosters can be pretty feisty and giant creatures, but they possibly pale in comparison to this enormous rooster in Kosovo. At 2.79 feet tall from head to toe, he’s about as tall as the average toddler. He also weighs 16.5 pounds, which is about four pounds heavier than the ordinary rooster.

This rooster towers above the other chickens and roosters around him, and everyone who sees the rooster is intrigued. He first shot to fame after Kosovo poultry enthusiast group member, Fitim Sejfijaj, posted a video of him on Facebook, which was subsequently reposted on Twitter. 

The internet went crazy. People wanted to know why he was so big, and the video racked up over 50,000 likes and 40,000 retweets. 

According to poultry health educator Emily Lhamon, the giant rooster’s breed plays a part in its size. The rooster is a Brahma chicken, which does grow larger than other kinds. Emily says that most males average around 2.5-3-feet heights. However, they are a fluffy chicken and look far heavier and more robust than they actually are.

Brahma chickens used to be the primary meat breed of chicken in America from 1950 until 1930. They are decent winter layers and originate from Shanghai.  

World’s Largest Bat

Any bat of any size can be terrifying. They make awful noises, carry diseases, and terrify you in the night. But imagine if they were much larger than what we see? Imagine no more. We received this photo of what looks like a giant bat spread out on poles with two hunters holding a side each. 

It has long, leathery wings, a monstrous hairy body, and a small head that looks exactly like that of a bat. The photo author didn’t give too much away with regards to the location, but it looks to be from somewhere tropical. Do you think this is a real-live bat, or is it something else? 

longest living snake 

Reticulated pythons aren’t known to be small snakes. They often average around 10 to 20 feet and are known as the world’s largest snakes. But within that giant snake species, there’s one in captivity that makes all the other pythons look tiny. 

Medusa, the reticulated python, is 25 feet, two inches long, and weighs a whopping 350 pounds. She holds the current longest snake living in captivity title, and it takes 15 men to hold her at full length for measurement.

Medusa is owned by Full Moon Productions Incorporated in Kansas City, Missouri. She has beautiful grid-like skin, a showstopper appearance, and a big appetite. Her diet consists of deer, rabbits, and hogs that she gets twice per week, and she can eat a 40-pound deer in a single sitting. 

When Medusa isn’t busy eating, she’s a star. She lives at The Edge of Hell Haunted House in Kansas City, where people can watch her stretch out. According to her handlers, Medusa knows when it’s showtime and makes sure she’s on her best behavior (and most extended length) for everyone to see. 

Medusa may be the longest living snake in captivity, but she isn’t the longest ever found. In 1912, a python was shot in Sulawesi that measured 32 feet, ten inches. However, it wasn’t kept alive in captivity. 

Blossom the World’s Tallest Cow 

Blossom might look like any other Holstein cow at a distance. She was white with black patches, or black with white patches, and lived a good life in a paddock like many other cows. But Blossom had something that many other cows don’t: a Guinness World Record. This cow, from Orangeville, Illinois, was the tallest in the world. 

Blosom stood at six feet, four inches tall, and weighed 2,000 pounds. She wasn’t the most attractive cow by World Dairy Expo standards, but that didn’t stop her from getting all the attention. Most people had never seen a cow as tall as Blosom. And they likely never will again.

Blossom belonged to Patty Meads-Hansen and had been raised by her father before her, from eight weeks old. She lived on the family farm in Orangeville ever since. Before she died at age 13 due to an irreparable leg injury, she was officially measured and entered in the Guinness World Book of Records.

Her height may have set her apart from most cows, but Blosom enjoyed the simple things in life. Ear scratches, oats, and chin rubs were at the top of her wishlist every day. 

Jeff the World’s Largest Rabbit 

Continental giant rabbits have that name for a reason; they are giant. But there is one rabbit that sits at the top of the food chain as being the largest of all Continental giant rabbits.

Jeff, who is the size of a seven-year-old child at four feet, five inches, has overtaken his dad, Darius, as the largest rabbit in the Guinness World Book of Records. Jeff is 18 months old and weighs 42 pounds.

His daily diet consists of around 2.2 pounds of organic hay, sunflower seeds, two dog bowl-sized containers of barley, and broccoli stems. His owners, Annette and Rob Edwards, who breed the giant rabbits, credits broccoli stalks for their size and health.

The Edwards’ have been breeding large bunnies for over a decade and love how bright and full of character they are. They say that their bunnies get plenty of good food, exercise, and are even house-trained to sit on the couch with them and watch TV. 

When Jeff and the other rabbits aren’t hopping around the house, they are hanging out in their $5,100 double-glazed log cabin. 

Jeff may hold the title of the world’s largest rabbit but watch this space. Annette and Rob say Jeff’s sister, five-month-old Enya, already stands at three feet, three inches, and could break the five feet mark.  

World’s Largest Recorded Rodent 

If the sight of any rodent sends shivers up your spine, then it’s time to turn away. A small one could send you running for cover, but a large one could have you screaming in fear! 

Gary is the world’s largest recorded capybara from the world’s largest rodent species. He’s a South American rodent that weighs 112 pounds and lives in Texas, with Melanie Typaldos and Richard Loveman. 

Melanie and Richard fell in love with capybaras while on holiday in Venezuela. Upon returning home, they discovered a breeder in Arkansas and immediately decided to purchase one. 

While this giant rodent may not be for everyone, Melanie and Richard believe they would surprise you. They say Gary is intelligent, affectionate, and not all that much different from a cat and dog. They have taught him to shake, turn in a circle, jump, and stand on his hind legs. 

Gary is also quick to socialize with the other animals that the pair own. They have tortoises, rabbits, a dog, a cat, and a horse. While Gary chases the rabbits and can get annoyed with the tortoises, he is generally easy-going.

However, Melanie and Richard say that’s not the case with all capybaras. They say they can be aggressive animals, even if Gary isn’t, and their teeth are sharp and can cause severe damage.

For fun, Gary likes to educate children at the local schools and hang out in the above-ground pool they have for him at home.   

Biggest Domestic Cat 

What do you do when your significant other wants a cat, but you want a dog? You compromise and get a cat the size of the dog. Introducing the longest cat in the world – a Maine Coon from Italy called Barivel! Barivel became the longest cat in the world in 2018, at three feet, 11 inches long. 

Barivel lives with his owners Edgar Scandurra and Cinzia Tinnirello of Italy. When he’s not lounging around the home living in cat paradise, he’s out and about with his owners in his buggy. 

You might think it’s unusual for a cat to be this large, but it certainly helps that Barivel is a Maine Coon. A Maine Coon originally from Maine, is the largest cat in the world and is often known as a gentle giant. They have extra-thick fur for insulation and usually stand at around 40 inches long and up to 16 inches high. Most moggies are about 9-10 inches tall in comparison. 

It is thought that Barivel and his relatives get their size from living in cold climates. They grow bigger to reduce heat loss, which would be true when you compare them to their equally large counterparts, such as the Norwegian forest cat. Some breeders also purposefully breed two large cats together to increase the likelihood of large offspring. 

Biggest Dog in the World  

A regular-sized dog can be a lot of hard work. But imagine a giant one? Freddy the Great Dane is the tallest dog alive, standing at three feet, 4.17 inches. 

Freddy lives in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, with Claire Stoneman, his owner. She has had Freddy since he was a puppy and said he showed no signs of growing larger than the breed can normally expect.

Given his great size, Claire has to spend around $13,000 per year on food. He eats around half a pound of casserole stick, 0.7 pounds of liver, and 2.2 pounds of raw mince daily. If that’s not enough, he has also chewed his way through 26 sofas and counting, with the help of his dog friend Fleur. Regardless of his naughty habits and expensive diet, Claire wouldn’t have Freddy the Great Dane any other way. 

Hercules the Largest Tiger 

What do you get when you cross a male lion and a female tiger? There’s no punchline to this joke, you get a liger and a pretty big one too! Hercules is the largest liger in existence, and he lives at the Myrtle Beach Safari wildlife reserve in South Carolina. He’s 131 inches long, 49 inches tall, and weighs a whopping 922 pounds. 

To sustain that heft, you’d need a fairly expansive menu, and Hercules gets it. He eats as much meat as the average two-year-old weighs, around 30 pounds. He also drinks several liters of water every day. 

Ligers are not animals you will find in the wild. They are the hybrid children of a tigress and a male lion and normally grow much, much larger than their parents. To put it into relative terms, they are about 100 times larger than a house cat! You wouldn’t want Hercules sleeping at the end of your bed, that’s for sure. 

The Largest Living Crocodile  

Most crocodiles will have you in awe. They are as close as you are going to get to see a dinosaur, and they’re terrifyingly large. But you haven’t seen a really large dinosaur until you’ve seen Brutus.

Brutus is a famous crocodile in the Adelaide River of the Northern Territory of Australia. He’s around 80 years old, weighs two tonnes, and is about 18 feet long. Brutus is a common sight on river cruise tours, and cruise hosts will throw meat out to him so tourists can see him up close and personal. 

Brutus is not only a massive croc, but he’s missing a foreleg too. Most believe it’s from a run-in with a shark, which could be true considering he dines on bull sharks from time to time. 

This giant croc the highlight of many traveler’s trips, and the companies that run river cruises constantly field calls from people asking if they will likely see Brutus on their journey. Very rarely does this massive river monster miss a chance to dine on free kangaroo meat! 

If you thought animals had to stick within the “averages” of their species, then you’d be wrong! These animals are huge! Which one surprised you the most? Do you have an extra-large pet?

The post 15 Biggest Land Creatures Found in The World appeared first on Blind Side.

If you are eating anything, I suggest you stop. From wriggly cheese to fish that will fight back we here on the Blind Side will take a look at 10 Unusual Foods that will Ruin Your Life. Be sure to stick around until the end of the video because you won’t believe what that girl is eating. 

10- Eating Bat

What better way to start a video about foods that will ruin your life than to talk about the infamous bat soup.  After all, bat soup is said to be one of the reasons for the coronavirus outbreak that’s quite literally ruining people’s lives as we speak. 

This video takes us to North Sulawesi, Indonesia, where eating bat soup is a rather common practice. It is said that bat tastes like chicken, but its texture is completely different. Umm, okay. It’s not like I am gonna try it or anything.

You can also see markets selling hundreds of bats to eager locals and the one that is almost 3 feet long. As you can see, this market is home to all kinds of bushmeat caught and hunted from the jungle and bat seems to be the most popular. 

9- Dogs

As a dog lover, I am deeply disturbed by the fact that dogs are still widely served and consumed in countries all over the globe. They are served roasted, in stews and soups with no part wasted. Oh my god.

The meal is prepared by being salted and dried then converted into a chewy jerky, although it’s more traditionally used in sausages. Now that’s just sad.

This process dates back centuries as there is a strong belief that dog fat can be used medicinally to treat rheumatism. 

If that wasn’t disturbing enough there is a dog meat festival that’s been held in the city Yulin in China since 2010. This festival is very controversial and is widely protested worldwide. I mean, of course, it is controversial, it’s a dog meat festival for crying out loud.

This is mainly due to the cruelty that befalls the animal during preparation as the dogs are boiled alive in order to enhance the texture and flavor of the meat. Now that’s the cruelest thing I’ve ever heard.  Each year over 10,000 dogs are killed and used for the purpose of this festival as it draws massive crowds each year. What’s wrong with these people? Whilst considered responsible for the increased demand of the meat it has also sparked discussion all over the globe as to whether dog consumption should continue. Oh, is that even a serious question? I can’t even. Let’s just move on.

8- Grilled RAT

If you are like most people then seeing a rat isn’t the most pleasant experience. In fact, it makes my skin crawl just thinking about it now. And I have a feeling you have the same reaction. After all, rats eat garbage, carry fleas, and have been known to carry many plagues. That said you might find it a little strange that, in some places, they don’t just exterminate the rats, they eat them. Oh yes, you heard me. In countries such as Vietnam and Cambodia, for example, you can walk into a restaurant and order rat on a stick. 

During the rat hunting season, these restaurants are increasing the popularity of this bizarre food. The rat is either chopped into pieces so that parts, such as the tail, can be deep-fried or simply dipped in batter and fried whole. Um, okay. Moving on.

7- Balut

Eating roast duck is normal, eating duck eggs is also normal, but balut which is an egg with a duck embryo inside is just plain bizarre. 

This off-putting Filipino dish is prepared by taking a duck egg and fertilizing it for several weeks. After about three weeks the egg is hard-boiled and served to the hungry party who eats the entire embryo straight from the shell. I know I know you are cringing at the very idea. But rest assured that balut is not a dangerous food unless you choke on the beak or something. 

You’re essentially eating a combination of duck and duck egg after all and gaining all the calcium and protein from both. What’s more according to local Filipino belief balut is a great libido-boosting aphrodisiac. That’s something to consider for your next dinner date. If you want to try balut you don’t have to worry about shelling out tons of money at a fancy restaurant. This is no rare delicacy but rather a normalized snack you can buy almost anywhere in the country. Expect to pay about twelve bucks for a dozen bar loot or $1 each. 

6- Cheese With Maggots

If you think you have a more sophisticated taste, and the good old deep-fried insects aren’t enough for you, why not pair them with cheese? But I’ve gotta warn ya, this isn’t your ordinary cheese. As a matter of fact, it’s quite dangerous. 

This dangerous cheese comes from Sardinia in Italy and it’s called Casu Marzu, which translates to rotten cheese. But I’ve gotta tell ya,  it’s so much worse than you think. What do I mean?

You see, Casu Marzu is actually pecorino filled with maggots, and it’s been banned due to its health risks. So what you’re actually eating is the maggot excrement after they’ve eaten the rotting cheese, and that’s what gives it its distinctive flavor and soft texture. Yummy. Ahem.

As if that’s not disgusting enough, the cheese needs to be eaten with the live maggots still wriggling around inside it, as dead maggots are supposedly a sign that the cheese is no longer safe to eat. Good to know. 

However even with live maggots, the cheese comes with some safety tips: firstly, it should be eaten with your eyes closed, not to avoid the sight of writhing maggots going into your mouth, but because when the maggots are startled, they can jump into your eyes. I am not kidding. 

Secondly, it’s important to chew thoroughly, because if you don’t kill every maggot by mushing them up between your teeth, they can live inside you and rip holes through your insides. I personally think I’ll give this one a skip. How about you?

5-  live frog

In Tokyo, a raw, skinned frog is a popular dish.  And if that isn’t fresh enough for you, some chefs will actually cut open a live frog and pass the still-beating heart over to you for immediate consumption. Believe it or not but this is actually a popular delicacy in some areas. After that, uh, appetizer, the rest of the frog is served in its entirety on a plate to you along with some raw seafood. Oh Japan, you never cease to amaze me. Moving on.

4-  live fish

If you like your food fresh, then you’ve gotta try this Japanese dish known as Ikizukuri. And while fish is the most popular ingredient in this dish, other animals such as octopus, shrimp and lobster can also be used. What they all have in common is that they continue to move in your plate even after being filleted. Whoa, that’s brutal. 

First, a customer would pick out the animal they would like to eat from a tank. Then, the chef fillets the animal before the customer’s eyes without killing it. Finally, the animal is served on a plate with its flesh on top for decoration and its heart still beating. Man, that is weird. 

3- Coconut Worms

This video taken in Cambodia and uploaded by a YouTube channel Primitive Culture shows us a step-by-step guide on preparing coconut worms. Yep, that’s right. Eating coconut worms is apparently a thing. The man in this video first crushes the coconut tree, breaks it in half in an attempt to find these worms. He then puts the worms in a plate and simply cooks them. He kind of looks like he enjoys eating them, but I wouldn’t be so sure. Let’s just move on, alright?

2- Spiders

No doubt a delight for the arachnophobes out there, the fried spider is just one of the many insects cooked for tourists in parts of Asia, especially in Cambodia. You can buy them individually, or in a pile to eat, you know, like french fries.

Apparently, the taste is actually quite bearable. Think of a cross between chicken and cod but with eight disgustingly hairy legs thrown into the mix. I can only imagine how terrifying it would be to consume this dish.

1- Centipede

In this video, you can see a young girl just wandering around the forest, finding and catching centipedes. Oh wow, look at these hunting skills. Impressive, huh? She then grills centipedes on clay, wraps them in leaves and eats them like they are the most delicious things in the world. Maybe they are.  Just listen to that crispy sound. It’s like eating chips. I’ve gotta try these sometimes. Just kiddin’.

Which one of these foods did you find the most terrifying? Let me know in the comments

The post Unusual Foods that Will Ruin Your Life appeared first on Blind Side.

we here on the Blind Side will be looking at some of the best eagle attacks you won’t believe actually happened. Better stay tuned for number 1 because that attack is simply unbelievable.

20. Eagle vs. Octopus

In this video captured on Canada’s Vancouver Island fishermen are rescuing a bald eagle from the grips of octopus tentacles after the eagle tried to attack it. Just look at the size of this thing. That might just be the biggest octopus in the world. The eagle definitely chose the wrong target. 

19. Eagle vs. Sea Snake

The sea snake can kill a scuba diver with its potent venom, so it’s no wonder most underwater predators stay the hell away from it. But the real danger for the sea snake comes from the sky. 

In this video, you can see the white-bellied sea eagle grabbing and snatching the sea snake out of the water. You can then see the eagle flying towards the nest with its prize. Soon enough, the snake starts to fight back, trying to inject the venom and kill its abductor, but to no avail. The eagle is just too powerful.

18. Eagle vs. Rattlesnake

Western diamondback rattlesnake is one of the most dangerous snakes in the world that can kill any creature with its hemotoxic venom. But that doesn’t stop this red-tailed hawk from making the meal out of it. The hawk approaches its target, but the rattlesnake is instantly on guard and it sounds its trademark warning signal. You can then see the hawk trying to divert its target, get it to strike at its wing feathers and expose its head. And soon enough, the hawk catches the snake and digs in its talons. 

17. Eagle vs. Water Chevrotain

In this video, you can see the crown eagle chasing a water chevrotain. As soon as the eagle spots the chevrotain, it swoops in for the kill, but the chevrotain jumps into the water. The eagle now has to wait for its target to come up for air. 

You can then see the eagle attacking what he thought was the chevrotain. Turns out it was actually a rock. This leaves the eagle pretty confused.

16. Eagle vs. Grasshopper mouse

This intense video begins with Harris’s hawk chasing the cute little Grasshopper mouse. After a rather intense chase, the mouse manages to escape. Unfortunately for the mouse, these hawks hunt in packs. Next, you can see one of them isolating the mouse, while the others ambush it. Their long legs are ideal for pulling rodents out of hiding, but this one, in particular, is out of reach.

The hawk doesn’t seem to be too troubled by the fact that the mouse escaped as it ended up catching the lizard instead. 

15. Eagle vs. Monkey

In this video, you can see a harpy eagle hunting a monkey. At first, the monkey is out of reach as it is hidden under the canopy. The eagle patiently waits for the monkey to expose himself. And before you ask, yes, the harpy eagle is perfectly capable of carrying prey as heavy as a monkey.

The monkeys, on the other hand, are very clever and difficult to attack by surprise as you can see in this video. Better luck next time.

14. The African fish eagle vs. Goliath Heron

And now we have the battle between the Goliath Heron and the African Fish Eagle. Standing at about 4.5 feet, the Goliath Heron is the largest heron in the world. It also has has a wingspan of at least 7 feet. 

In this video, you can see the Goliath Heron catching a fish when all of a sudden the African Fish Eagle swoops in to haze the heron which forces it to drop the fish. 

13. Peregrine falcon: a feathered fighter jet

Peregrine falcons can fly at 240 miles per hour, but they need much more than raw speed to get a meal.

In this video, you can see the peregrine’s signature move which is called the stoop. This dive turns the bird into an aerodynamic missile aimed at its prey. A peregrine then hits the bird with a huge amount of force and knocks it to the ground. And just like that, the dinner is served.

12. A man hunts with changeable hawk-eagle

When you think of pets, dogs and cats usually come to mind. Well, how about an eagle? That’s right, this man took his pet, a changeable hawk-eagle named Theo to hunt some birds. Now that’s quite a unique way to hunt. I’ve never seen anything like this in my life. But I’ve got to admit. These catches are pretty incredible. This is one well-trained eagle, you can’t argue with that.

11. Launching eagle like a bullet

In this next clip, you can see Theo demonstrating his incredible skill and killer instinct. Just look at these attacks. The man straight-up launches Theo like a bullet and Theo does the rest. These poor birds don’t stand a chance when he is around, there’s no doubt about it. I definitely don’t want to mess with this killing machine.

10. Eagle hunts a fox 

This incredible footage shows a golden eagle chasing a fox. But the fox isn’t an easy target. It takes several attempts for an eagle to even come near the fox. And then you can see the two animals wrestling. The attack almost backfired on the eagle. The fox appeared to have an advantage before finally making its escape. 

9. Hunting in winter

And now, an amazing video of a golden eagle flying over the Alpes, trying to find something to eat. Thanks to its exceptional sight it is able to spot prey more than 2 miles away. However, this eagle isn’t the only hunter here, so when luck smiles on him, he must act quickly. Watch as the eagle dives at more than 180 miles an hour to feast on this carcass of a fox. The crows bother the eagle for a bit with one crow even biting its wing. But the annoying crows are the least of his worries because there’s another, bigger eagle trying to take its place. Now, this is what you call an epic fight. The eagle manages to chase the intruder but it is not the end of its pains as such a feast will surely attract the nearby raptors.

7. Eagle attacks a million geese

In this video, you can see what’s got to be a million geese. It’s truly a remarkable sight. I’ve never seen so many birds in one place.

But one eagle is enough to cause panic among the birds. They are now handicapped by their number and the collisions are inevitable. Some geese are injured and those who find themselves isolated are easy targets.

6. Eagle attacks a goose

In this amazing video, you can see an eagle just flying around in all his glory minding his own business. When all of a sudden he spots a goose. The eagle wastes no time as he approaches the goose, grabs it and drowns it.

This video perfectly captures an eagle using his skills and strength to make a kill. These wings must be pretty strong as he is able to drag the goose all the way to the shore. 

5. Eagle plucking Starling

This rather disturbing video shows us a Sparrowhawk plucking a young Starling while it’s still alive. As you can imagine, starling doesn’t stay alive for very long. I can’t help but wonder why the guy filming the video didn’t do something about it. I guess he was afraid of the predator as well.  

4. Eagle catches baby warthog

This footage shows a couple of baby warthogs quickly crossing the road when all of a sudden an eagle comes out and grabs one of them. The camera then zooms in on the eagle with its prey. Baby warthog is still alive at this point. You can see it fighting under a tight grip of the eagle for a while. Once the warthog dies, the eagle just flies off as if nothing happened. The video is pretty sad, but that’s what you get when you stand in a way of the mighty eagle.

3. Eagle vs. iguana

This video like many others on this list begins with a shot of an eagle flying around ready to make his move. Who is gonna be the target this time? Whoa there. Is that iguana? I would be afraid to even come close to this animal. It’s scary as hell.

But just look at the speed this eagle is flying. The iguana is also running pretty fast, but the eagle is obviously a very experienced hunter. Wait, did he place his nails straight into iguana’s eyes? What a ruthless murderer. 

2. Eagle catches a fish

I definitely have a problem with the whole killing part, but there is something incredibly satisfying in watching an eagle fly. This video perfectly captures the speed and the hunting skills of an eagle. Watch as he dives into the water and catches a fish with stunning precision. Simply amazing.

1. Eagle hunts a small kid

Just when you think you’ve seen it all, you stumble upon a video of an eagle trying to snatch little kid. Yes, a kid. Take a look. The eagle approaches the baby and…the guy puts a camera down. Wait, what? He’s running towards a baby to check if he is alright. Hm, okay. But I wanna know what happened?

Luckily, the clip then goes on to actually show us the attack and you can see the eagle carrying a baby for a while and then dropping him on the ground. It’s unbelievable. Almost as if the video is edited. Do you think the video is fake? Put your thoughts in the comments below and tell me which one of these eagle attacks have fascinated you the most?

The post The Best of Eagle Attacks You Won’t Believe Actually Happened appeared first on Blind Side.

We Are Here on Blind Side Collected 15 Biggest Fruits and Vegetables Ever Created! … From an insanely large leek to a head-sized lemon,

16) Leek

Now and then, we like to choose topics that will help our viewers to accomplish tremendous feats. So, for all you gardeners, consider this a free gift. In 2014, Paul Rochester broke the record for the world’s biggest leek (that’s a thing), thanks to a tip from his champion vegetable growing father. That tip, gardeners, is that the secret to growing monster-sized vegetables is to fill the greenhouse with Glenn Miller swing music. Get the Spotify fired up!

The giant leek broke the world record previously set by British vegetable grower John Pearson, who grew a leek weighing 9.2 kilograms. Rochester’s giant Glenn Miller-loving leek weighs around 9.75 kilos — apparently all the result of classic swing music and your typical food and drink. While this leek is by far the most noteworthy of Rochester’s creations, he’s a popular fixture on the vegetable growing circuit and continues to grow carrots, parsnips, cauliflower, and other vegetables. Whether they’re as fond of Glenn Miller remains to be seen, but there’s a lot of records yet to be broken, and the guy does have a lot of albums…

15- watermelon

Vegetable growing contests tend to bring out quite a lot of unique creations, but even we were pretty shocked by the sight of this watermelon. While we have no idea just how much it weighs, the fact that these two guys are still struggling even though it’s perched on a rock would suggest that it’s very, very heavy. Some skeptics have claimed that the photo is just a tourist sculpture, rather than the real thing, but what do you think? Real vegetable or odd little tourist hotspot?

14) Lemon

A dash of lemon can make any meal sparkle, although you’d need a VERY big appetite to get this one onto your plate. An Israeli farmer actually managed to grow this behemoth of a citrus fruit through entirely natural means, or so he says. That’s a lot of citrus flavor!

In 2003, the lemon made its debut, winning the world record for the heaviest lemon at a mighty 5.2 kilograms. If you can’t visualize just how heavy that is, here’s a little fact: it’s heavier than the head of an adult human. And, with a 29-inch circumference and a height of 13.7 inches, it’s easily the largest lemon we’ve ever seen, too! It’s fair to say, though, that this is way too much lemon for anybody to consume without their face inverting from the sourness. I’m not a scientist, but… come on.

The world record for heaviest lemon has yet to be beaten, although we’re not totally sure what happened to this beast. Maybe somebody used it on some really, really big fish meals. Whatever happened to it, we just hope that it tasted as good as it looked.

13) Grapefruit

It’s a breakfast favorite: grapefruit, coffee and some screaming toddlers demanding extra sugar. Well, we don’t have the sugar or the coffee, but we do have the world’s largest grapefruit if that’s your kind of thing. One out of three ain’t bad.

Measuring almost 29 inches in circumference, about the size of an NBA regulation basketball, the grapefruit weighed 7 pounds and 14 ounces — about the weight of an average newborn. That means the grapefruit officially broke the 2006 world record set by Brazilian growers, which was around 14 ounces lighter. The Louisiana couple that grew the newly record-breaking grapefruit quickly became local celebrities for this feat, receiving the Guinness Certificate in what was no doubt the strangest PR opportunity that State agriculture and forestry commissioner Mike Strain ever attended in his entire career.

While vegetable-based fame can be fleeting, the couple remain the world record holders for ‘heaviest and largest grapefruit,’ which is absolutely a title that should be on their future resumes. But, as with all records, it’s only a matter of time before someone invents a bigger one. You can just hear the minor politicians lining up to celebrate.

12) Pineapple

It stands to reason that the world’s heaviest pineapple would be grown in some kind of tropical or hot climate. There’s no other fruit in the world more associated with beaches and vacation cocktails than Earth’s spikiest fruit. And, for Christine McCallum, it’s now the world’s bulkiest fruit.

In 2011, Christine McCallum broke the record for the heaviest pineapple in Australia, growing a fruit that weighed in at 8.28 kilograms — an insane weight for any fruit, really. Intriguingly, McCallum didn’t do anything particularly different with the fruit than any other, merely feeding it with water and allowing it to grow in its own time. But, as the fruit didn’t produce any offshoots (the vegetable equivalent of children), she would be unable to replicate her record-breaking creation. Not that she’d want to, of course. According to McCallum, the only reason she began growing pineapples in the first place was to keep dogs, and her grandchildren, off of her land. When you put it like that, she really deserves this honor.

McCallum as yet has not achieved success twice, though she continues to grow pineapples — primarily to keep the grandchildren away from her garden, but also to see if she can grow another record-breaker. But mostly the grandchildren.

11) Onion

It’s hard to imagine what kind of recipe would call for a vegetable this size, but Tony Glover is prepared, regardless. In 2014, Glover grew an 18 pound, 11-ounce onion almost 25 times the size of your standard large onion. That could feed a lot of onion-lovers for quite a long time. Although we all know it will end in tears.

Contrary to most giant vegetable growers, Glover’s giant vegetable was not an accident, but the product of intricate and careful planning. With the use of nutritional food, special heating, custom-built glow lights, and even constant monitoring of the greenhouse’s humidity, nothing was left to chance. And clearly, that kind of detail paid off! Now he has an onion big enough to force his entire town to drown in their own tears.

But someone as meticulous about his vegetables as Tony Glover is not about to go on some hilarious supervillain-style dinner party. Instead, he took his record-breaking vegetable with pride and announced with plans to do it all over again, but bigger and better. Actually, that might be more supervillainous than the dinner party idea. Keep an eye on this guy.

10 – Marrow

For all that can be said about the UK’s contributions to the world, it seems the thing the country will be remembered for the most is its sheer quantity of massive vegetables. It seems every few years, another Brit comes along with a vegetarian world record. In this case, Ken Dade bought one so big it had to be handled by two men. Feel free to make your own jokes.

In 2008, 70-year-old Ken Dade brought his 65-kilogram marrow to Somerset’s National Amateur Gardening Show, setting the world record for the largest marrow in the process. While it doesn’t look especially appealing, the people from the Guinness Book of Records couldn’t ignore this incredible feat of… nutrients? We’ll work on that. Dade, an avid home-grower, has mastered the craft of growing absurdly large marrows since retiring from ordinary work. Apparently, the secret is just to approach it like any other vegetable: giving it good weather, good food, and some TLC.

After revealing his impressively large marrow at the show, Dade quickly became the envy of all other growers, who were in search of his magical seed. Again, make your own jokes, you animals.

9 – Tomato

Tom-ay-to, Tom-ah-to, let’s call it the biggest in the world and move on. In 2014, a Minnesota man with a habit for growing giant pumpkins took a chance and came out with the ultimate prize: an 8.41-pound tomato. It’s an Italian chef’s dream!

The tomato immediately broke the former record for the largest tomato by almost a complete pound, but this particular behemoth is even more unique than just being a record-breaker. For a tomato to have been grown so far north is already an impressive accomplishment, but to do so in a place like Minnesota — known to have a shorter ‘growing’ season than most areas in the world — is almost unheard of. Dan MacCoy had planted a ‘Big Zach’ seed, which is known to produce large tomatoes due to the ‘mega bloom’ effect, a biological process that typically results in multiple fused tomatoes. Still, I doubt he expected to break the world record with it.

As one of the most popular fruits in the world, it’s pretty surprising that there haven’t been more giant tomatoes grown around the world. But, if there’s one lesson here, it’s that if it can be done in Minnesota, there’s no excuse for you other growers!

8 – Cabbage

Those that grow extraordinarily large vegetables rarely put all their seeds in one basket. In fact, the true record-setters often find that their world records come from the vegetables they’ve never attempted before! Scott Robb had spent much of his adult life growing a whole bunch of record-breaking giant vegetables, but his cabbage may well have been the best of them all.

In 2012, Robb brought his huge cabbage to the Alaska State Fair, where it unanimously took the top prize pretty much without contest. Really. While some cabbages in competition weighed up to 24 pounds, Robb’s cabbage weighed around 138, breaking the world record and stunning pretty much everybody. That a cabbage this large could be grown in an environment like Alaska is pretty noteworthy, but it’s clear that Robb put a lot of time and effort into developing this incredible creation.

Robb is one of the few vegetable growers who is very open about his post-show vegetable moves. Once the cabbage has completed its competitive journey, the vegetable is sent to a wildlife refuge as food for the hungry animals. We love a charitable donation, especially when it’s this big. That’s a lot of well-fed animals.

7 – Sweet Potato

If you’re someone that thinks sweet potatoes are hard to cut at their usual size, just imagine how difficult it is to cut them when they’re THIS big. A South Carolina family accidentally managed to grow the largest sweet potato ever grown in the state, and they didn’t even know about it!

According to the family, the potatoes were planted in April, but it wasn’t until some October rain revealed the top of the potato that the family had any idea just how large it had grown! The potato was quickly measured, weighing in at 18.2 pounds — a clearly insane weight for a potato. Thankfully, one of the children had the right idea about what to do with such a huge vegetable: take a photo of it for social media in the hopes of going viral! Hey, it worked for Gangnam Style…

This sweet potato now holds the record for South Carolina’s biggest ever sweet potato, breaking the previously held record of 12.45 pounds, set by students and staff at Carlisle-Foster’s Grove Elementary. But while most of South Caroline was no doubt thrilled about the find, state officials unironically noted that they don’t keep ‘official’ records on sweet potatoes. Killjoys.

6 – Carrot

The vegetable world is very much like the human world — no two specimens look exactly alike. In fact, you could see every carrot in the world, and none of them would prepare you for this creation. This bizarre, twisted mess of orange is quite possibly the largest carrot ever grown on Earth. Get a good look at it, it’s very weird!

The carrot was grown by a Minnesota father named Chris Qualley, who had been growing giant vegetables for two years, with plans to enter all of them in competitive weigh-offs. While he had been working primarily on watermelons, pumpkins, and tomatoes, it turned out to be his unique-looking carrot that was first to take off. Weighing in at 22.4 pounds, the Guinness Book of Records was quick to herald it as the largest carrot ever grown, beating the former record by 2.4 pounds! An incredible achievement, considering it was just a side project.

Qualley’s plan to enter them into competitive weigh-offs will probably result in several wins, especially given this carrot’s unique and unforgettable appearance. It’s hard to imagine anyone will forget them anytime soon. I don’t imagine anyone has the energy to untangle and eat it, though.

5 – Pumpkins

Of all the vegetables in the world, the pumpkin is probably the one you’d most expect to be grown in a ‘giant’ form. But, even then, a pumpkin of this scale would be pretty hard to transform into a freaky looking jack-o-lantern. At the very least, it would take six guys and a chainsaw. And that’s before you factor in the equipment needed to move it around, the dollies and pulleys. But I’m getting ahead of myself. This is a big pumpkin.

The world record was set in October 2016, by German grower Mathia Willemijn and his 2,625-pound pumpkin. Not only is that an insane record for a single vegetable, but it also marked the second time a German had set the world record for a huge pumpkin in three years! Must be something in the water. The pumpkin water, that is. Before the German takeover, it seemed only Americans and Canadians were able to grow such absurdly giant pumpkins, but once again, Europeans continue to show that while everything is bigger in America, everything is HEAVIER in Europe. I’d like to apologize to our European viewers.

4 – Beet (root)

Anybody that has ever cooked with a beet (or as it’s known outside of the United States, beetroot) knows that, even in its small size, it’s a real handful. To handle a beetroot without proper protection results in an unfortunate change in skin tone that doesn’t wash out quite so easily. So if we’re getting questions about our weird hand bruises with normal sized beets, imagine what this one would do.

This beet was grown by YouTuber and Vegan Athlete Jake Mace, though it’s fair to say that he didn’t necessarily set out to grow a beet that looks like the heart of a pretty massive animal. Mace’s process for growing this monster was simply to let it grow, nothing more, nothing less. And, while it perhaps isn’t the longest beetroot that has ever existed (that honor goes to a 26-foot long BEHEMOTH of a beet), it’s certainly one of the biggest unintentional beets. And let there be no mistake: if you cook it without wearing a hazmat suit, you’re going to look like an alien. And your kitchen will get a nice new coat of purple.

3 – Avocado

It’s one of the most beloved vegetables in the world, and most likely, the one food on our list that you guys will look at and think ‘I want that’ — or maybe you’d just want what came of it. In 2019, a Hawaiian family got something of a shock when they found they had somehow grown an incredibly large avocado, pretty much guaranteeing they’d be living off of guacamole for the foreseeable future. It’s every sports fan’s dream!

The Pokini’s discovery was not just incredibly tasty, but also set a new record for heaviest avocado at 5.6 pounds, beating the former record set by another Hawaiian family by a single ounce. As if that’s not incredible enough, the avocado defied all the odds, as it had apparently been pulled out of the ground twice by the family’s son — the plant equivalent of being taken off life support. And yet, to everybody’s shock, the avocado continued to grow until it had broken the record.

With their new record secured, the family decided to make good use of their new record-breaking vegetable by making guacamole. And THEN some. The giant avocado helped to make enough to feed 20 people, an amount that would usually require around 10 normal sized avocados. Insane!

2 – Banana

Bananas come in all shapes and sizes (again, feel free to make your own jokes there), but they’re generally pretty reasonable. But, of course, there are always exceptions to the rule, and some people have spent their time developing unusually long fruit. The minions would love this.

This particular banana tree was found in the backyard of an Indonesian hotel, and somehow managed to grow at least one banana measuring around 3 to 4 meters long. How anybody could possibly find a way to unpeel it is a mystery, let alone how they’d eat it! However, local experts claim that these giant bananas are especially nice when grilled, which would suggest some kind of elaborate banana barbecue. Well, it’s nice to have a vegan barbecue now and then, I suppose! Not sure where you’d find a grill long enough, though.

It probably wouldn’t surprise you to know that many Asian countries grow these bananas for ornamental purposes, rather than edible ones. With an end product as big as this, it’s pretty impractical even to attempt to eat the thing and probably much more enjoyable to look at it instead.

1 – Mango

If any country knows how to handle the growth of a giant mango, it’s the Philippines. While other countries grow their giant fruit and vegetables and then just leave them to rot or eats them, the Philippines have a very different approach: they turn it into a national celebration.

In 2010, Sergio and Maria Socorro Bodiongan grew a mango measuring 30 centimeters in length and 50 centimeters in width, setting the record as the world’s biggest mango. But it wasn’t until the pair submitted their mango into a contest ran by the government’s Agriculture department that it really became something to celebrate. Not only were the couple given a cash prize (more than enough reward for growing such an unusual treat), but their giant vegetable was honored in the Philippine House of Representatives and the Senate, for proving that Filipinos can grow giant vegetables without the need for steroid-like performance enhancers. Take THAT, America!

The Socorro’s achievement quickly became a viral sensation, and the whole country celebrated the victory as if it was their own. It seems nothing brings people together more than freakishly large food…

Which of these fruits would you most like to have grown? Or, if you’re hungry, which would you eat? Let us know in the comments.

The post The Biggest Fruits & Vegetables with a world record appeared first on Blind Side.

Did you know that there are over 200 breeds of cats in the world? But, not all are purebred. In fact, just 5% of domestic felines are pure breed cats. Some of these belong to interesting species that you may not have ever seen in your life. Some are weird; some look alien while many are absolutely adorable. From an exotic Lykoi to an unbelievable cute Scottish Fold, take a look at these ten unusual cat breeds you just have to pet. Stick around until the end of the video and check out our number 1 pick because that might just be the most adorable cat breeds you’ve ever seen.

10- Scottish Fold Cats

Now this is one cute cat with a very prominent oddity. The ears of the Scottish Fold Cat droops downwards much like dog breeds, that makes it look oh so cute.  As a domestic cat that loves attention, Scottish Fold breeds are born with a genetic mutation that affects some parts of their bone and cartilage. This makes their ears fold and bend forward. In fact, sometimes they look like wise old owls but with those intense eyes, it is very easy to fall in love with them. Scottish fold cats are so popular that many of them are internet stars and social media darlings, but that’s obvious from the way they look.

9- Peterbald Cat

Now this is one cat that many are wary of. Peterbald cats may look like demons from hell, but don’t get put off by their alien like looks. Contrary to what many think, the Peterbald cat is of Russian origin. Bet you didn’t know that!  In fact, they were actually created in a lab in 1994 as an experiment. Peterbalds are great show cats and not your usual playful kitty. They may prefer being left alone, but when they are in the mood, they do play too. Surprisingly, Peterbalds can bond well with human families and can be affectionate once they adapt to their social surroundings. Petting a Peterbalds?? Yes go ahead because they are cats too.

8- Savannah Cat

Have you always wanted a baby tiger, or a cheetah as a pet?? Obviously you can’t have one, you know that, but!!! You can have a Savannah! That’s right, because Savannah cats are the largest cats in the world, that’s the next best thing to a large cat. In fact, with a Savannah, you may get half of what you wish for. This is because, the Savannah is a hybrid cross breed between a wild cat called a serval and a domestic cat. But get this!! The Savannah is so cool that you can even treat it like a dog. It’s extremely loyal; you can take it for walks on a leash and even train it to play fetch!! So how nice is that?

7- The Wolf Cat – The Lykoi

If you’re one who loves the world of witches, warlocks and werewolves, then you’re going to love the Lykoi or Wolf Cat. Did you know, the Lykoi is a new breed of cat introduced to the world just recently? Why are they called Wolf cats, you may ask?? Well, that, my friends, is a very interesting question!!  The Lykoi looks more like a wolf than a cat because of the bald patches around its glowing luminous eyes and a snout that looks like a wolf. But more than that, its appearance actually resembles a werewolf in transition. Wouldn’t it be interesting having a mysterious cat like that at home? That would be quite the supernatural atmosphere at home wouldn’t?

Here’s an interesting fun fact for you. The Lykoi is also the result of a natural mutation in feral cats and the breed was developed in 2011 in Tennessee, USA.

6- Cornish Rex

Ok! The Cornish Rex, now don’t be confused, it’s not descended from the dinosaurs and obviously not a mini T-Rex. They do look like a Peterbald in some ways except that they have a thin coat of hair. The Cornish Rex gets its name because it originated in Cornwall in England, so Cornish get it??  Did you know that the Cornish Rex is also known as the greyhound of cats? That’s because they are so sleek, and can run with a gallop much like a greyhound.

The nicest thing about the Cornish Rex is its nature. Don’t be confused by its looks, the Cornish has a sweet temperament and will behave much like a playful kitten all its life. This is one kitten that you’re going to love to pet.

5- Japanese Bobtail

If you think you’ve seen it all, then just wait till you see the Japanese Bobtail with its little stubby tail.  Japanese Bobtails are adorable and love playing all day long. Like the Cornish Rex, this is one curious little kitty who will remain a kitten in adult life too.  What is really cool about the Japanese Bobtail is its amazing milky color with a hint of black giving it the oriental appearance.

Unlike other recent breeds, the Japanese Bobtail breed is also a distinguished one going back centuries. Thankfully someone thought of bringing it from the Asia to Europe 1000 years ago and voila, you can now have a Japanese bobtail. They make lovely show cats and good for any family home. Would you believe? Japanese Bobtails are regarded as lucky cats and bring prosperity and happiness.

4- Khao Manee

The Khao Manee, now that’s a weird name for something but then cats are exotic creatures and we did promise to show you unusual cats you’ve never heard of before.  The Khao Manee is an exotic breed also known as the Diamond Eye Cat. Believe it or not, but this is no ordinary cat, it is a rare breed with origins in Thailand. The breed is hundreds of years old dating back centuries. In fact, they were cats that were often kept by ancient rulers of Siam.

The Khao Manee looks elegant and sophisticated because of its pure white appearance.  That’s what makes it very adorable and a great house kitty. It is playful too as you can see in the video. Wouldn’t you just love to cuddle one?

3- Highlander Cat

Now this is one beautiful little kitty who just loves getting into mischief. A perfect cat for a family home, the Highlander cat is simply adorable. This is another experimental breed of cats and like the Savannah, it is a cross between a lynx and other jungle curl breeds. This is why the Highlander has a short bobtail and a very wide nose.  Don’t even think twice of keeping a Highlander cat, because they are lovely playful kitties and they even love water.

They have pretty neat markings too that give them that jungle look.

Because of their feral characteristics, highlanders are muscular bundles of energy which is why they will be great for the kids. Let a highlander play all day along and they are in their element.

2- Egyptian Mau

The Egyptian Mau is the most interesting and mysterious cat of all. NO! It won’t turn you into cat woman or cat man. It can’t bring you back to life, and hey you don’t want a pet sematary situation so don’t believe those weird things about Egyptian Maus. But, on the other hand, they are a breed that dates back centuries and really old.

Obviously, the Mau is an Egyptian breed but what’s really special about this unique rare breed is its lovely calm temperament making it a perfect house cat. Egyptian Maus are also very agile making them exceptionally nimble on their feet.

1- Munchkin Cat

We finally get to something that is bound to give you an overdose of sweetness.  The munchkin kitten is exactly what it sounds like, a really adorable, lovely furball munchkin. This has got to be the number 1 on this list because looking at this video; it would be too difficult to go past it wouldn’t it? Have you ever seen something this cute?? 

The Munchkin cat is also called a sausage cat or dwarf cat because of its short legs. A playful kitty, the munchkin does not mind being handled by humans and just loves all the attention.  It is playful too and those cute short-legs are not an obstacle for leaping and running.

Which one of these cat breeds has fascinated you the most? Let me know in the comments below a

The post Unusual Cat Breeds You Need To Pet appeared first on Blind Side.

15-  Frilled Shark

I don’t know about you, but the very thought of meeting up with a shark keeps me out of the ocean. With thoughts of their razor-sharp teeth racing through my head, I’ll happily leave these encounters to someone else thanks!

Aside from its frightening appearance, the Frilled Shark is known as a ‘living fossil’. 

It lives in the deep, dark depths of the ocean floor, and closely resembles Lord Voldemort’s deadly snake companion Nagini from the Harry Potter series. With a head like a lizard and a body like an eel, this thing is ugly!

Not much is known about the Frilled Shark, even why it is called one.

At first glance, you wouldn’t think it was a shark, however, it is recommended as one because of its internal structure.

Gills around its throat make it look more like a sea serpent, and the red fringe around them is what led to its name.

A monster of a creature, it has 300 teeth, aligned in 25 rows. And if that’s not weird enough, they all face backwards! It must make eating difficult.

Not only that, but they also lack fins, meaning they hover, rather than swim. Now that I would love to see – from a safe distance of course.

 “Even though Frilled Sharks aren’t the biggest animals in the world, do consider the size of it in this picture! Compare the kid to this horrifying looking thing. It’s pretty gigantic if you ask me. If I ever see one while swimming, then considered me gone…

14- Giant Squid

With so many supernatural monsters, spirits, and demons in Japanese folklore, a surprise visitor on Christmas Eve, 2015 had residents wondering if their eyes were deceiving them.

A real-life sea monster was spotted by visitors chilling out on a pier overlooking the water in Toyama Bay in Central Japan.

Measuring 12-foot-long, the ‘monster’ was a giant red-and-white squid taking a quick dip in the bay, much to the visitor’s surprise.

It turns out that, although, giant, the little chap was merely a juvenile squid and at almost 4 meters, quite small considering they can grow up to 13 meters!

Giant squids normally spend their lives in the depts of the open ocean, so to be able to get up close and personal to one was more of a treat than a terrifying experience.

In fact, they are normally found washed up on the shore, after they have died.

In 2004 and 2012, Japanese researchers were able to get images of these live giants, by luring them up to the camera. However, the researchers had to make the journey several thousand feet below the surface.

One of the Toyama Bay visitors was diver Akinobu Kimura. He simply jumped in the water with his submersible camera and obtained video footage that has been described as the most detailed and up-close viewing of a live giant squid yet!

A bold move, Kimura lived to tell the tale, saying his curiosity was way bigger than his fear.

Luckily it all turned out well for both diver and squid, with the giant fellow disappearing out to see not long after the encounter.

13- The Chinese giant salamander

What looks like an oversized Mexican walking fish, the Chinese giant salamander is so critically endangered it’s facing extinction.

The largest amphibian in the world, they grow up to 2 meters long and are very rare in the wild.

Millions are kept in captivity, but they’re not the easiest creature to look after.

There are three species, with the South China being the largest.

Each requires targeted and separate conservation management to save them from dying out altogether.

According to Zoologist Samuel Turvey of London, UK and his colleagues, those left in the wild must be located, and species-specific breeding programs introduced.

They have analyzed DNA taken from liver, muscle and bone samples of 41 of the salamanders to help them find out more about the mysterious species.

This genetic analysis showed that the three species were separated between 3.1 and 2.4 million years ago.

This period coincides with the rising up of the Tibetan Plateau which could have isolated the giant salamander population.

Today they are extensively moved around by Chinese farmers, making it difficult to determine their origin.

Of those caught in the wild, some may have escaped from farms or been deliberately released, but it is believed that the original population has been almost completely wiped out.

12- Nomura’s Jellyfish

Measuring almost 2 meters across and as heavy as a male lion, it’s hard to believe this jellyfish is just six months old!

The size of a child’s palm at first, the Nomura Jellyfish is now larger than an adult human.

With no bones to nourish, no complex organs to maintain and very little energy wasted on swimming, the Nomura Jellyfish’s sole purpose is to grow.

Drifting with the currents and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake, this deadly creature prefers plankton to people, and is only responsible for the loss of eight human lives.

Because of their size, humans are not on the Nomura’s menu.

Although large, they have tiny mouths. And that’s plural, yes, these jellyfish have hundreds of mouths. Mouths so tiny, they’re virtually invisible to the naked eye. 

Imagine how handy that would be at an all you can eat buffet!

Well known for their greed, the species costs Japanese fisheries serious damage each year, with many looking at ways to turn this invasion into a resource.

And the bad news is, these guys are multiplying. Their sudden population explosion has been linked to climate change and overfishing.

11- Blue Whale

The fact that these giant mammals are larger than dinosaurs doesn’t mean much really, considering none of us were alive to see the comparison, so let’s talk numbers instead.

An adult Blue Whale can weigh up to 190 ton and measure just over 30 meters long!

To put that into perspective, the largest mammal on earth is bigger than 25 elephants or 115 giraffes!

Today there are between 10,000 and 25,000 blue whales left in the ocean. This may sound a lot, but it is not enough to save them from extinction.

Until the end of the 19^th century, Blue whales were abundant in nearly all the oceans on Earth. Unfortunately, they were almost hunted to extinction by whalers until the practice was banned by the International Whaling Commission in 1967. The Commission estimates that between 1868 and 1967, almost 400,000 blue whales had been caught in whalers’ nets.

Between the male and female, the female is the larger of the two. Their bodies, however, are long and slender, and instead of blue, as you would expect, they are a slighter darker shade of grayish blue on the top and somewhat lighter underneath.

With a diet that consists almost entirely of krill, the Blue whale obviously isn’t a fussy eater.

10- Giant Sea Lizard

With countless razor-sharp teeth and dull green eyes, this deep-sea predator would make a great addition to any horror movie!

Forget our mechanical shark friend Bruce from Jaws, this bottom-dwelling lizard fish has a reputation for making almost anything in its path, dinner.

The ocean is home to many spectacular sea urchins, including the beautiful purple orb, glowing UFO jellyfish and googly-eyed squid, but the giant sea lizard doesn’t care.

Not fussy, it devours them all and starts looking for more.

A rather bizarre species, at home in Australia’s eastern abyss, the sea lizard is an ambush predator, lying in wait for its unsuspecting prey.

Hunting at depths of between 3,000 to over 8,500 feet, this terrifying monster of the deep is largely just a mouth with a tail! And one bite from its razor-sharp hinged teeth, and there is no escape. 

It eats anything and everything it comes across, including other lizard fish. Fortunately, they have both male and female reproductive organs so there are no issues when it comes to reproduction.

Whether this is good news or not, I will leave that up to you to decide.

9-  Dragonfish 

To be honest, this fish doesn’t even look real! Not only is it extremely long, but it’s also really flat. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to navigate its own body, let alone the ocean!

This giant oarfish washed up in the Philippines in 2016, with many residents very excited by its beaching in Albay.

In fact, the locals were ecstatic, as it’s very rare to see an Oarfish because they don’t pop up very often.

These strange creatures resemble sea serpents, but much about them remains a true mystery of the deep.

The dead fish measured 4 meters long and weighed 50 kilograms, and while it is the longest Oarfish to hit Philippines shores, it is by no means the biggest ever seen.

In 2013, California’s Catalina Island played host to a 5.5-meter specimen that washed up dead on the beach, but the record stands at a whopping 11 meters!

Speculation is rife as to why they sporadically wash up dead on the shore. Some believe their unusual body shape means they are easily injured, where others suggest changing currents and the shifting distribution of their food source is to blame for forcing them to spend more time in the shallows.

8-  World’s Biggest Bat

No, you’re not watching a scene from Hotel Transylvania, this is real life, and as scary as they appear, these bats are completely harmless.

The largest bat species in the world with a wingspan of a massive 1.5 meters across, the flying fox can be identified by their foxlike faces, long wings, large strong claws, and unique behavior.

Because they don’t wear deodorant like us humans, these bats have a distinctive body odor. But, unlike ours, there’s has a purpose. The special odor allows them to communicate with each other during the mating season. 

When pregnant, the females form their own colony. They give birth after 40 days and in two to three months their pups are fully developed and left to fend for themselves.

They make parenting sound so easy!

Masters of disguise, the bats contrasting colors help them mingle with the environment, unseen by predators prying eyes, while they sleep throughout the day.

Mainly nocturnal, these enormous bats spend their evenings travelling, with most able to cover over 40 kilometers a night! They don’t spend the whole time flying, however, as they occasionally stop to find food.

The Flying Fox is mostly found in the tropical rain forests of the Philippines and East Asia, usually seeking the shelter of tall leafless trees and deep caves.

7-  World’s Largest Eagle

Eagles are gracious birds of prey known for their strength, power, and persistence. Used as national symbols in many countries such as the United States and Japan, eagles can be found at the very top of the food chain. No surprises there!

Experts at hunting prey and surviving the harshest weather conditions, these heavily built birds have had scientists and researchers fascinated for years.

Now extinct, the Haast’s eagle was the biggest eagle in the world, with a wingspan of 3 meters.

It once lived in the southern islands of New Zealand and was one of the most ferocious predators of its time, preying on flightless birds like the Moa, which was up to 15 times its weight.

In fact, the continuous decline of these birds, led to the Haast’s extinction.

The giant eagle weighed up to 17.8 kg and was considered one of the largest known true raptors.

Today, the largest living eagle is the Golden Eagle that has a wingspan of up to 220 centimeters or 2.2 meters, considerably smaller than its giant ancestor.

6- World’s Biggest Dog

The alabai, and not the type that gets you out of a sticky situation, but the canine type, is a loyal friend and companion.

No real surprises there, but what you might not know, is that this special breed is one of the world’s biggest.

Weighing in at a whopping 120kg and standing at over 2 meters on its hind legs, this dog is larger than the average adult man!

With a history that dates back many thousands of years, the Alabai has adopted many traits from its ancestors, including its height and weight. 

With a powerful physique, broad, well developed chest and large fangs, this dog presents an imposing figure. But don’t be fooled, it’s really just a big softie at heart.

Fiercely protective of their owners, they’re also patient and calm and don’t act rashly.

Popular guard dogs and working dogs, the Alabai is strong and fast, and has a keen eye that can accurately analyze a situation, making them perfect for protective duties.

5-  The Redtail Catfish 

With its only similarity to a cat, being the whisker-type features on its head, the catfish is a delicious-tasting river fish, mainly found in the Amazon.

In 2013, a Redtail Catfish was caught in the Illinois River, during the annual Hamm’s Breading & AAD Welding catfish tournament.

Fisherman Allen Hamm Jr. was at first confused by his unusual catch, texting one of the organizers asking, “What the heck is this?”

A fish expert was consulted and an ‘Amazon red-tailed catfish’ was the reply.

Said to reach weights of up to 180 pounds, the fish are easily recognized by the bright red markings on their tails and fins.

Believed to have come from somebody’s aquarium, the red-tailed catfish was a rare find, but it’s not the only time one of these big cats has been found in the U.S.

Others have been found in Florida, Nebraska, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas, but the Amazon is considered the catfish capital of the world, with more turning up there than anywhere else.

In fact, there are over 3000 different species of fish that occur in the Amazon and almost half of them are catfish!

With 15 families, including over 1300 species, some Amazon catfish are bottom dwellers, some nocturnal. Some are parasites and some are roving predators, with the biggest caught, weighing a massive 134 kilograms!

Now that’s one big cat, even if it’s not of the four-legged variety.

4- Big Ben

A majestic creature with a mind of its own, there is nothing quite like the freedom owning a horse can provide. Simply saddle up, if you so choose, and ride off into the sunset.

But, imagine if our horse weighed 3,000 pounds. You would be hoping it was a docile chap, wouldn’t you?

Well this 6-year-old lad, co-owned by Sherrie Van Tassel and Charles Haddad, perfectly fits the bill.

Not only is he well loved by his owners, but he is also gentle and patient with children.

Big Ben lives at Haddad Farm in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. In 2008 Sherrie and Charles took him to a plant in Canaan, Conn., where there is a platform, they weigh concrete trucks on.

Up steps Big Ben, and his owners were overjoyed with the result, joking they were trying to make him into a body builder.

At 3,000 pounds or 1360 kilograms, there is no mistaking this boy is big.

The Belgian gelding stands 19.2 hands at the shoulder, slightly shorter than the world’s tallest horse Radar, who at 10-years-old stands 19.3 hands, or 6-feet, 7-inches tall. Radar is, however, quite a lot lighter than Big Ben, weighing in at just 2,400 pounds.

The heaviest horse on record, however, is a Belgian stallion named Brooklyn Supreme, who topped the scales at 3,200 pounds. 

No matter. Big Ben, with his gleaming reddish coat and blazing flaxen mane, is a stunning specimen, and the pride and joy of his owners who offer ‘Big Ben of the Berkshires’ tours at their farm.

3-  Bulls With HORNS – the Ankole-Watusi

One can only imagine how difficult it is to carry around the head gear that these poor bulls do each day. It would be like wearing a crown, but without the title and the life of privilege that goes with it!

Best known for the very large horns that adorn their heads, the Ankole-Watusi is believed to have ancestral origins dating back as far as 4000BC.

The long-horned cattle first established themselves in the Nile Valley in Ancient Egypt. In fact, they even appear in photos of Egyptian pyramids.

This Egyptian descendant migrated to Ethiopia and then further down the continent, breeding with the Longhorn Zebu, to eventually form the Ankole-Watusi we see today throughout India, Pakistan, Africa, America and Europe.

The first herd in America was recorded in 1960, and an international registry was set up in 1983. At last count in 2016, there was approximately 1,500 head of the breed, with 80% of these farmed in the United States.

Considered the showstoppers of the bovine world, these elegant and graceful cattle are usually red in color, with cows weighing up to 545 kilograms and bulls as much as 730 kilograms.

And if you think that’s heavy, spare a thought for the poor mother giving birth to a calf that can weigh anywhere up to 22 kilograms! That’s a decent size calf.

The entire herd are very protective of new calves, with the adult’s horns serving as weapons against intruders.

I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t be keen to take one on, that’s for sure.

2-  Blosom

In May 2015, a cow that made it into the Guinness World Records sadly passed away. 

The adorable Blosom, owned by American Patty Meads-Hanson, had injured her leg and it was decided to put her out of her misery.

The female Holstein will live on in the record books, however, as the world’s tallest cow in history.

She towered over most American adults at a staggering height of 1.9 meters, over 6 feet tall and was measured at her home in Orangeville, Illinois, for the record books in early 2015.

Meads-Hanson was emotional on learning Blosom had claimed the coveted record of the tallest cow, but said her beloved cow was unaffected by all the attention that once surrounded her.

She said as long as she could count on her oats, and daily chin rubs and ear scratches, she was happy.

Having owned Blosom from just eight weeks old, Meads-Hanson said she was born to two normal sized cows, both of whom she quickly outgrew.

Meads-Hanson’s late father suggested she have the cow measured, however, he died before the record was officially confirmed.

1- Giant White Shark 

Over the years the ocean has played host to thousands of pretty oversized sharks and their sizes continue to differ and increase throughout history.

These predators are pretty dangerous and vicious when prompted, and you’d imagine with increased size comes increased risk. However, for some strange reason many people seem to enjoy the thought of coming face to face with these creatures. 

Obviously, there is a cage between them, but let’s face it, you’ve all seen what happens on ‘Jaws’, cage or no cage!

In Australia there is a special week-long dive event hosted by Andrew Fox, a renowned ocean enthusiast. 

The days are spent shark diving as well as getting up close with some of Australia’s finest sea lions.

These dives have seen sharks in great numbers, including many larger sharks, obviously not on a megalodon scale but certainly larger than your average great white.

It is an experience that all ocean and shark lovers should give a try, even just once.

I mean, how many people can say they’ve come face-to-face with a Great White roaming the Great Barrier Reef and the Pacific Ocean, and lived to tell the tale?

Not many, I bet.

When dealing with gigantic mammals and animals, it pays to do your homework before any encounter, particularly if it’s of the planned variety. Although large, some are docile, whereas others should be kept at arm’s length, to ensure you don’t lose a limb or two, or maybe even your life.  Like the world’s biggest dog, for example, it may be cute, but at 120kg and with a name like Bulldozer, you can’t be too careful!

The post 15 GIANT Animals You Didn’t Know Existed appeared first on Blind Side.

15. Red-Headed Krait 

The color red means danger and nature wasn’t lying when it decided to give the red-headed krait its dramatic red head. It really does mean danger. Not only is this snake one of the rarest in the world, but it’s also exceptionally venomous. Fortunately, bites are rare, so not all too many people have had to succumb to the paralysis and eventually death by asphyxiation that its venom can cause.

The red-headed krait grows up to seven feet long and lives in lowland rainforests in southeast Asia. It has a black body, vibrant red head, and a blue and white stripe. As far as snakes go, it’s the Picasso of many species.

It’s nocturnal, partially aquatic, and eats small mammals and reptiles like frogs, skinks, and lizards.  This snake is also not one that you will find in too many human-populated areas, for it tends to stay away from people. That might be a good thing, for not only can its numbers improve without human interference, but it can have less of a chance or opportunity to inflict its deadly bite! 

14. Rainbow Snake 

Rainbow snakes may not be rare on the population scale, but sightings of this beautiful reptile certainly are. Its secretive habits mean that very few people will have the pleasure to spot this serpent in real life.

Rainbow snakes grow up to around six feet long and are found in the coastal plains of the US – from Virginia to Louisiana. Being given the name of rainbow snake is also entirely accurate because they really do look like they’ve just been snatched from the sky at the end of a pot of gold.  

They have a glossy black back, red stripes, a red or pink belly, yellow patches on their sides and heads, and black spots. Basically, they look like someone has thrown them into a painting easel. 

Rainbow snakes mainly live in swamps, rivers, streams, and creeks, and they spend most of their life hidden in debris and aquatic vegetation. As a result, stumbling across one is not very common. They used to also live in southern Florida, but none have been found there for decades. However, their numbers are relatively stable throughout other parts of the country, and they remain protected in Georgia. 

13. Green Tree Snake 

The green tree snake is pretty confusing. It’s called the green tree snake, but you’re just as likely to see a blue, yellow, or black one as you would a green one. Thanks for confusing us, scientists, we appreciate it.

The green tree snake is not all that rare and is a pretty common species, but it’s rare to stumble across in your garden. It’s only found in subcoastal and coastal parts of northern and eastern Australia and tends to prefer forests, rainforests, farmland, and the odd back yard.

The green tree snake grows to around six feet long and is active during the day. Many snakes prefer to find something to eat at night, but not this guy! This snake will slither around in daylight, devouring any frog, fish, or reptile that gets in its way. Fortunately, humans are off the menu, and a bite may be painful but not venomous.  

During the breeding season, the green tree snake also lays a surprising number of eggs. Between three and 16 hatchlings are born, all of which begin life at around 9.5 inches long. 

12. Ball Python 

The ball python is a beautiful snake that many people also call the royal python. While its population is listed on the IUCN Red List of ‘least concern,’ that doesn’t mean this snake isn’t rare. Thanks to the pet trade and meat demand, it’s continually under threat.

The ball python is native to Central and West Africa and prefers to live in shrublands and grasslands. It grows to around six feet long and is dark brown or black with blotches on its back and sides. Given its size and coloring, it’s not hard to identify what the ball python is when you see it in person. It’s also one of the smallest African pythons and is non-venomous (phew). 

If you’re wondering how it got its name of a ball python, the answer might surprise you. No, it’s not some fandangled science-y name. It refers to how when it’s under stress or feels fearful; it will curl up in a ball. It will tuck its head and neck into itself and can literally roll away. This defense strategy is pretty crazy when you see it for yourself. 

So, what’s on the menu for this slithery serpent? Ball pythons enjoy dining on mice, birds, gerbils, and small birds. Females prefer mammals, while males are more partial to a feathery feast. 

11. White Cobra

If you stumble across a white cobra, then you’ve just found one of the rarest snakes in the world. You may not even realize that what you’ve discovered is even a snake! A white cobra isn’t so much a species of a serpent, but a regular cobra with a health condition. A white cobra, or any white snake, has leucism or albinism. 

If it’s leucistic, then it loses its pigmentation but can retain a few areas of its standard color. If it has a patch of leucism over its eye, then the eye of the snake (not the tiger), tends to be blue. On the other hand, if the snake is albino, then it’s entirely white with red or pink eyes that show the blood vessels underneath the skin. 

White snakes are rare for two reasons: there aren’t many of them born, and barely any make it to adulthood. They can’t protect themselves with camouflage from their predators, and the sun causes them to burn. White snakes also can’t easily regulate their body temperature. 

If you stumble across one, wish it luck for its future because it’s going to need it. 

10. Double-Headed Snake 

A snake with one head can be terrifying enough for someone who squirms at the sight of reptiles. But imagine if you came across one with two? In 2011, a zoo in Southern Ukraine put a two-headed Albino California Kingsnake on display for thousands of visitors to see and gawk at. 

You’d be forgiven for thinking that one of the heads is just a growth and has no “mind” of its own, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Zookeepers have found that the two heads try to operate as two different snakes. 

One head is more passive than the other, but they think, eat, and react separately. They even compete for food, which means that the workers at the zoo have to put a barrier between them while they eat. 

The snake was kept on display from July until September in 2011, and it was a popular attraction for those three months. We’re not surprised, either, for two-headed snakes only appear once every fifty years. That might be a good thing, though, as it’s not something you’d want to find lurking in your backyard while you dabble in a little afternoon gardening. 

9. Dream Snake 

If you’re a snake lover, then you’re going to love the dream snake. It could even be your idea of a dream snake. Professional reptile breeder Justin Kobylka has been working on ball python morphs and combinations for over 15 years. He takes the best features of one python, joins it with another, then creates a Picasso of the snake world. The orange dream yellow belly dreamsicle is one such Picasso.

Justin took an orange dream ball python, a regular dreamsicle ball python, and a yellow belly dreamsicle to create a snake that was the epitome of beauty. It had all the pixilation of the yellow belly, the orange of the orange dream python, and the vibrancy of the orange from the dreamsicle ball python. 

The creation of the ‘dream’ snake is not Justin’s first rodeo. He has a dedicated facility for ball python combinations and also travels around the world lecturing on them and helping hobbyists. 

What was also impressive about the dream snake is how docile they are. Taking three generally calm snake types and morphing them into one has resulted in a beautiful pet for the avid snake lover. 

8. Saharan Horned Viper 

Are you looking for an animal to invade your dreams, cause nightmares, and offer sleepless nights? The Saharan Horned Viper can be the answer. This satanic-looking serpent is as fear-evoking as they come. It’s a snake with an anvil-shaped head, eyes like a cat, and horns like the devil himself. If that’s not enough to send you running in fear, then nothing will.

The Saharan Horned Viper lives in the deserts in the north of Africa through to the Middle East. Legend has it that it was the same species that caused Cleopatra’s death, or at least provided the means for her to end her own life in 31 BC. 

The Desert Horned Viper also appears throughout Egyptian history in hieroglyphs, not to mention as mummies in the ancient city of Thebes and along the River Nile. Even after all this time, though, the snake continues to exist and cause chaos. 

Its venomous bite can cause pain, bleeding, sweating, kidney failure, abdominal pain, and sometimes death. It also grows to around two feet long and has hinged, hollow fangs that quickly snap into a biting position before you’ve had a chance to run or hide. 

The population of the Saharan Horned Viper is not threatened, but fortunately, they are rare to come across on your daily errands in the desert. 

7. Malagasy Leaf-Nosed Snake 

On the rarity scale, the Malagasy leaf-nosed snake is of the least concern, but its unique shape and secretive habits mean it’s not a snake you’ll often come across on your regular outings around town. It’s also pretty different when you compare it to other snakes! 

The Malagasy leaf-nosed snake is around three feet long and has a flat, leaf-shaped snout. The male’s one tends to taper a little more than that of the female. 

The male leaf-nosed snake is brown and yellow, while the female is more likely to be a mottled gray color. As per usual, the male is the more attractive of the species. 

Unlike other snakes, this one operates on a “sit and wait” basis when it comes to food. It will hang down from branches and rest in plain sight, but waits for lizards and other delicious critters to get close before it acts. It’s also quite a calm snake, so it is unlikely to attack humans if you do happen to come across one. The bite of a Malagasy leaf-nosed snake will hurt, but it won’t kill you. 

6. Green Vine Snake  

The green vine snake is an intriguing little critter from South and Central America. It lives in tropical rainforests and dense branches and grows up to around 79 inches long. It’s bright green on the top, yellowy-green on the bottom, and with gold eyes and a long, green tongue. 

If that’s not a rare or unique sight on its own, then the shape of its head – which is pointed with a large mouth that will likely clinch the deal. Everything about this snake is just that little bit quirky. 

The green vine snake is also active during the day but spends much of its life in trees. If it does trouble itself to get down and cause chaos with humans, then its bite can hurt. It’s also a little bit venomous, and people may feel tingling and numbness. Fortunately, the bite of a green vine snake is not fatal – even if the angry little guy wishes it was. 

Most snakes have eyes that work separately, which is quite disturbing to see, but this species is more ‘normal’. Its eyes work together and focus on one thing at a time, which is more in line with humans than other reptiles. 

When this slithering serpent isn’t lounging around in the trees, it’s chowing down on frogs, lizards, and birds. It even enjoys the odd snack of hummingbird. 

5. Tentacled Snake 

If the sight of a standard snake doesn’t gross you out or give you the heeby-jeebies, then the sight of the tentacled snake will. This aquatic snake with two short appendages at the front of its head is found in south-eastern parts of Asia, as well as Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia. 

Rather than live in trees and on the ground, the tentacled snake prefers to lounge in ponds, canals, lakes, and other stagnant bodies of water. When it’s dry, it’s also more than happy to take cover in mud or try its luck in saltwater instead. 

Numbers of this snake are stable, but that’s not to say they will always be that way. Because their meat is quite desirable for hunters, they are threatened. It’s best they work on their camouflage before they’re wiped out for good. 

In the meantime, they continue to go about their daily life, living the snakey dream. They wait in underwater roots and weeds to attack prey, and they tend to survive on fish. They can even hunt in complete darkness without seeing a thing. 

4. Elephant Trunk Snake 

If you’ve been tossing up between getting a goldfish or a snake, then why not get the best of both worlds – a snake that lives in water like a goldfish? The elephant trunk snake is a non-venomous aquatic snake found in Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia. It grows to nearly eight feet long and tends to live in estuaries, rivers, canals, and streams. 

This unusual snake is not only targeted by hunters for its delicate meat to satisfy the Asian food market, but for its skin, too. Its leathery skin is more like an elephant’s than you might think! Even though its numbers are stable, the hunting and habit loss will inevitably take its toll in the future. 

If you are going to be on the lookout for an elephant trunk snake, then it helps if you know what they look like. They have loose skin with rough scales, brown coloring, and a light yellow belly. They are also a meat-eater that hunts for amphibians and fish under the cover of darkness. 

While they spend a lot of time underwater, they still need air to survive. They will cruise around under the water for about 40 minutes but will expose their nostrils to get some much-needed fresh air for around 20 seconds.

3. Nose-Horned Viper 

The nose-horned viper may not be on the rare list yet, but the overcollection of its venom and persecution by people means it’s only a matter of time before that happens.

The nose-horned viper is a venomous snake from southern Europe and the Middle East. It grows to around three feet long and has a single horn on its head that sets it apart from other snakes. Comparing a male and female nose-horned viper is also like comparing two different snakes.

The male has a dark brown and dark gray head with black markings and stripes from its eye to its jaw. It also has a colored block on the back of its head and shades of pink, gray, and yellow. The coloring of the female is less jarring and contrasting, with browns, bronzes, and grays blending into one. 

The nose-horned viper is thought to be one of the most dangerous snakes in Europe because of its toxic venom. Even though they don’t bite without provocation, their bite can be quite nasty.

Those who have been bitten can find themselves with pain, blistering, bleeding, swollen lymph nodes, sweating, tissue death, low blood pressure, unconsciousness, and many other life-threatening symptoms. Even though you might want to see this rare snake in person, it’s best that you keep your distance. 

2. Tiger Keelback Snake 

A venomous snake is not rare, but to find one that’s both venomous and poisonous? Well, that is. The tiger keelback snake is the only snake species in the world that ticks both those boxes, which means it doesn’t make many friends outside its own species.

Because they eat poisonous toads, they ooze the toads’ toxins from their glands and onto their necks. Therefore, if you’re going to get bitten by a tiger keelback snack, then you are also going to get poisoned. And you won’t be having a great day. 

These snakes, which are found in Japan, Russia, China, Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam, can become your worst nightmare. Fortunately, though, unlike other snakes that lunge to bite, the tiger keelback snake will produce a few cues to let you know it’s not happy. At that point, you can retreat to a safe distance.

To know you’ve stumbled across a tiger keelback, you just need to pay attention to its appearance. It grows up to 39 inches long and is olive green with orange and black crossbars. Its white belly is also a dead giveaway of what it is. 

Think you’ve found one? Run, no one has time for a tiger keelback snake to ruin their day. 

1. Dragon Snake 

What do you get when you cross a snake with a crocodile? This joke has no punch line. You get a Dragon Snake, which is both confusing to look at and intriguing to learn more about. The dragon snake is a snake with three rows of giant scales on its back. It has an elongated tail, a large head, and it grows up to around 30 inches long. It’s also gray in color, which is a unique shade for a snake. 

The dragon snake lives around forests, rice fields, streams, and other bodies of water in Southeast Asia, and there have been very limited sightings of them. As they tend to live underground for a lot of time and hunt at night, there have only been a handful of mentions of them since the 1960s. 

They live on frogs and fish and don’t tend to bother with humans all that much. Humans don’t tend to bother with them all that much either, for its population is managing to sustain itself thanks to limited or no hunting for meat and skin. 

These rare snakes have some pretty unusual quirks, and some may be closer to your home than you might think. Are you scared of snakes? Have you seen any of these in person?

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