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.

10- Smuggling Cow Patties onto Planes

Some people are light packers and some seem to pack entirely too much crap, and that is just what another traveler bound for New Zealand did. It is worth noting that this particular passenger was leaving India where cow poo is routinely burned ceremonially, the use of cow dung is so prevalent there that you can actually purchase commercially packed cow patties, specifically for this purpose. Unfortunately, due to the risk that the dung could contain foreign seeds, parasites, or diseases that could obstruct the local ecosystem, officials seized and destroyed the contraband immediately. 

9- Smuggling Human Remains 

A pair of young women were returning to the United States from Cuba when they have questioned about 2 ornamental pots they had purchased. As it turned out the pots contained human bone and skull fragments, while not unique in Cuba where they are used in religious ceremonies, the pots were strictly prohibited from entering the United States. 

8- Smuggling Lemons

Yea, that’s right, lemons, life gave one traveler lemons and she decided to transport them from Hong Kong to New Zealand, as most people probably know, traveling internationally with fruit is never a good idea. Unfortunately, the woman was allowed to board the plane but when she landed a contraband sniffing dog located the six citrus fruits tucked in the lady’s trousers. This was no laughing matter for authorities who seized the fruit and deported the woman back to Hong Kong.    

7- Smuggling Snakes and Turtles

Despite the efforts of animal control and customs agents, the illegal exotic pet trade continues to be a blemish on the transportation industry. Surprisingly, many of these animals are smuggled via air travel, which might raise the question, if it’s so hard to get a bottle of shampoo on the flight, how are people flying with prohibited animals? Well, it’s alot of work as one man flying from Miami to Brazil learned when he tried to smuggle 7 snakes and 3 tortoises… wait for it …. in his pants! The animals were confiscated and the man received a fine and jail time.

6- Smuggling Cocaine 

Alright, bear with me here, Cocaine definitely isn’t a unique thing to smuggle, by most means, however one woman, traveling from Columbia to Spain took drug smuggling to an entirely new level when officials in Spain noticed that she was bleeding from her breasts, upon closer examination they found out that the woman’s breasts had been surgically packed with 1 and a half kilos of Columbian cocaine. 

5- Foul Traveller

Australia has become quite well known for the wide range of deadly creatures that reside there, from snakes to spiders, most people generally consider the continent’s wildlife to be nightmare fuel. But you don’t often hear about people trying to bring new animals in. That is except for this 23-year-old traveler who was found with a bag of bird eggs and 2 birds in padded envelopes taped to his legs. The man who was returning from Dubai, had the animals confiscated and he was placed into quarantine. 

4- Smuggling Spiders

Spiders on a Plane probably conjures up images of the world’s most unnecessary sequel, but it became a reality for customs agents at a german airport when they searched luggage belonging to a couple returning from Peru. Inside their suitcase, amongst their clothes and shoes, were 200 live tarantulas, along with hundreds of millipedes, crickets, and grasshoppers.

3- Smuggling Monkey in Girdle 

Another traveler leaving Peru, this time bound for Mexico City, was found with 18 round socks attached to a specialized girdle. To the astonishment of security officials, each of the socks contained a tiny, living monkey. 

2- Smuggling A Tiger

Sure people seem willing to try smuggling just about anything, but a whole tiger!?!?! Palestinian airport security became suspicious of a traveler’s luggage after x-raying it. This is when they looked inside, only to discover a 2-month-old tiger cub who had been sedated and stuffed into the suitcase with a bunch of stuffed animals, ironically, they were all tigers. 

1- A Grenade 

When Bruno Mars catches that grenade, someone should tell him not to travel with it, if he does he may wind up like a soldier at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport who accidentally left a military issued  40-millimeter grenade in his luggage. The situation was eventually sorted out and the grenade, which is designed specifically for use in grenade launchers, was seized and destroyed. 

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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 here on the Blind Side will be looking at the most expensive monster machines in the world. Make sure to stay until the end of the video and check out our number 1 pick because I am pretty sure you didn’t know that thing even existed. 

10. Bagger 293

What better way to start a video than with the Guinness World Record holder. Bagger 293 holds the current record for being the biggest land-based vehicle in the world. I mean look at this thing. It’s 315 feet tall, 740 feet long and weighs more than 15,500 tons. Wow, what an absolute monstrosity. To put it into perspective, it’s as tall as a 30-story building, longer than two professional football fields, and its weight is equal to that of 2,000 adult elephants. 

Bagger 293 was built in Germany in 1995 and is a bucket-wheel excavator used to move more than 8.5 million cubic feet of earth per day in a coal mine. Yes, 8.5 million, I am not kidding. So how does this thing work anyway?

Well, its 70-foot long rotating wheel carves earth from the ground and transports it on a series of buckets and conveyors to the other end of the machine for it to be transported away by trucks. Each bucket can pick up over 15,000 pounds in one scoop. Can you imagine?

Although this giant extracts enough coal to provide electric energy to several million homes, it’s run by only five people.

9. Sherp ATV

This Russian-made machine called Sherp ATV can tackle just about anything. It can even swim. Yup, you heard that right. I mean, take a look at the video and see it for yourself. Seriously, how awesome is that. It can even move from water to ice with ease. You really can’t make this stuff up. This awesome vehicle can go about 28 miles per hour on land and 4 miles per hour on water. 

Sherp ATV can even climb obstacles over 27 inches. And if you are wondering how is this possible, then you should know that it’s all thanks to the tubeless low-pressure tire system.  

Judging by this video, it definitely looks like nothing can stop this thing. Would you like to drive it? I know I would.

8. Argo Atv Frontier Scout

Ever wanted to ride on the edge, push your limits and go to places you’ve never been before? Then Argo Atv Frontier Scout is your vehicle of choice. After all, it’s the most comprehensive vehicle in its class or within its competition. If you are a hunter, angler and off-road excursions are your thing, then this amazing vehicle is a perfect fit for you. 

The compact Scouts 6×6 travels light and lean with a 23 horsepower EFI engine. The 8×8 Scout steps it up with a 26 horsepower EFI Kohler engine and includes an entry-level side step and extra storage capacity. 

Legendary Argo high ground clearance, incomparable capability, and rugged exterior let you explore seemingly impassable terrain other ROVs can only dream about. 

7. Shaman 8 Wheeler

At 20 feet 8 inches long and 8 feet 2 inches wide, this enormous vehicle called Avtoros Shaman is about the size of two Range Rovers SUVs. From snow, swamps to deep waters, this 8-wheeler will tackle any terrain known to mankind. After all, Russia’s harsh environments influenced this beast, so you get the point. 

The interesting thing about Shaman 8 Wheeler, apart from being enormous, is the fact that it has 3 different steering systems. This allows the driver to switch between On-Road mode which uses 4 wheels, Off-Road with active rear-wheel steering and Crab Mode, which turns all 8 wheels to move sideways. In case zombies start roaming around, just make sure to have this beast by your side and you’ll be just fine.

6. Ripsaw EV 

Want the wildest driving experience of your life? Then look no further than Ripsaw EV. Created by engineers over at Howe and Howe, the Ripsaw is the fastest dual tracked vehicle on the planet. It features the perfect combination of speed, strength and luxurious finishing. 

Ripsaw EV drives incredibly smoothly for such a large and fast vehicle. It was created to tread delicately over a variety of landscapes be it ice, snow or mud. This incredible vehicle can travel at a top speed of 74 miles per hour.  

It’s also worth noting that Ripsaw EV is produced in three seating configurations: the single-seat EV3-F1, the two-seater EV3-F2, and the four-seater EV3-Ff4. The Ripsaw EV offers options in seating as well as the range of uses with each unit possessing high strength and durability granted by aerospace-grade steel and aluminum composites.

5. Ghe-O Rescue

The Ghe-O Rescue is an incredibly versatile vehicle that can cope with any extreme situation. It serves as medical transportation and fire rescue vehicle. One look at it will tell you that Ghe-O rescue is an absolute champion of those in need. It operates in all weather conditions and terrain types. Thanks to its huge wheels and superb weight distribution, Ghe-O rescue is able to outperform every vehicle in is class. It can hold up to 11 people without anyone feeling crowded. 

Ghe-O Rescue weighs a whopping 3.2 tonnes, and can even carry water pumps that are able to store up to 620 liters of water. Pneumatic Pillows on its wheels allow it to float across water or power through deep snow. 

Added to all of this is foldable on top cargo rack and a medical stretch with side door access. Further accessories include a snowplow system and GPS. This is all powered by a capable engine that kicks out 500 brake horsepower. The military variant also allows for extra electromagnetic and water protection with even more customizable options available if necessary. 

4. LeTourneau L-2350 Wheel Loader

To say that LeTourneau L-2350 is big would be a bit of an understatement. In fact, according to the Gunness World Records, LeTourneau L 2350 is the biggest earthmover in the world. It has an operating capacity of about 160,000 pounds. To put it into perspective, that’s about 30 cars. Incredible. The tires on this beast are also enormous. They are 13 feet tall and 5 feet wide. Can you imagine? 

Its bucket is quite large as well. It can hold the weight of 5 standard dumptrucks. Yup, you heard that right. LeTourneau L-2350 has a 16 cylinder 65-liter diesel engine that puts around 2,300 horsepower.  

3. Kobelco SK3500D

The SK 3500 D model excavator by Japanese company Kobelco operates at a height of 215 feet. As such, it earned a Guinness World Record for the tallest demolition machine in the world. 

The equipment is designed for the demolition of skyscrapers and other high-rise buildings. It has a lifting capacity of 200 tons. 

The SK 3500 D is equipped with a 315 horsepower diesel engine. On the three-section boom, special equipment can be mounted such as nozzles for cutting, crushing and dismantling structures. At the arrowhead, there is a video camera for the operator who directs the process of working from the cab as well as a spray hose for spraying water to prevent dust from rising.

2. Mars rover concept vehicle

You are looking at the Mars rover concept vehicle, created by brothers Shanon and Mark Parker. Shanon designed the vehicle, while Mark and his team constructed the whole thing in less than 5 months. Can you believe it? Well done guys.

The Parker brothers consulted with astronauts while building the machine. However, this vehicle won’t go to Mars. Instead, it’s used for educating future young scientists about the red planet.  

1.The Yacht Express

Owned by the Fort Lauderdale based company Dockwise yacht transport or DYT the Yacht Express is the largest yacht transport vessel in the world and has provided the fastest available yacht delivery between Florida and the Mediterranean.  

The Yacht Express is 685.7 feet long, 106 feet wide it has 55060 square feet of deck space and a carrying capacity of 4,536 tons. 

This powerful yacht carrier has a semi-submersible dock bay and can accommodate yachts of any class. 

The yacht Express cut the previous 15-day transport journey between Florida and the Mediterranean to just ten days. During the transatlantic voyage yacht owners and their guests have access to the carrier’s state-of-the-art facilities including a conference room, fitness center, swimming pool, laundry facilities complimentary cabins, and an atrium with a lounge.

Which one of these monster machines has impressed you the most? Let me know in the comments below.

The post Most Expensive Monster Machines in the World appeared first on Blind Side.

we here on Blind Side will be looking at Scientifically Impossible Places That Actually Exist. Better stay tuned for number 1 as I am pretty sure you’ve never seen anything like that in your life. 

9. Rama Setu, India

Rama Setu or Rama’s bridge also known as Adam’s bridge is a rather mysterious causeway that connects India’s Pamban Island in Tamil Nadu to Mannar Island in Sri Lanka. Scientists believe that Rama Setu is a natural bridge formed by limestone shoals. There’s, however, another, far more interesting, explanation as to how this bridge was created. 

You see, according to the Indian legend, this causeway was built by none other than Lord Rama himself with the help of Vanara, the monkey army. Yes, the monkey army, you heard that right. Rama had to construct this bridge in order to save his wife Sita who was trapped in Sri Lanka.

Think this is silly? Well, then you should know that the time of Ramayana which is 5000 BCE perfectly aligns with the urban dating analysis of the bridge. Coincidence? I think not. Ramayana also mentions that this bridge was constructed with floating stones. Interestingly, such floating stones are scattered across the area to this day. Okay, this is weird.

But who do you think built this bridge? Humans or Lord Rama and his monkey army? If you think it’s man-made, then how do you explain the whole floating stones mystery? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

8. Gates of Hell, Turkmenistan

When a place is called Gates of Hell, you know the story is about to get devilishly interesting. Located in Turkmenistan, the Darvaza gas crater is quite literally a hell on earth, hence the nickname Gates of Hell. I mean look at all this fire and tell me the hell isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. It’s terrifying. So what’s the deal with this place?

Well, back in 1971, Soviet geologists were drilling around the site when they stumbled upon some methane gas. So in order to keep the gas from spreading, they intentionally lit the fire as a part of a normal procedure called flaring. However, what happened next was everything but normal. The fire caused the earth to crumble taking the drilling equipment down with it. Geologists expected the gas to burn out within a few weeks. So what happened?

Well, let’s just say they were wrong as the fire still burns to this day. That’s almost 50 years. Can you believe it?

7. Deadvlei and Sossusvlei, Namibia

This amazing footage was filmed at Namibia and it shows us a white clay pan named Deadvlei or “dead marsh” and the more famous salt pan of Sossusvlei. Other than being hauntingly beautiful, Deadvlei is also surrounded by the world’s highest sand dunes reaching as far as 1,400 feet. Wow, imagine that. Sossusvlei is also pretty interesting. When dry, this salt pan is hard, and when wet it gets sticky and plastic, thus earning the nickname “place of no return.” Spooky. All in all, the blue sky, surrounding sand dunes, and white pans, make a rather striking vision, don’t you think?

6. Great Salt Lake, Utah

This stunning drone footage shows us the Great Salt Lake in Utah divided in two by the causeway railroad track. While one side is blue, the other is bright pink. Wow. Just wow. There’s something incredibly satisfying in watching this amazing video. It’s definitely one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. Can you imagine seeing it in person? I don’t know about you, but I would definitely swim there. And, in case you are wondering, the pink side of the lake is actually the result of microbes that feed on the salt, which can reach near 10 times the salinity of the ocean.

5. Angel Falls, Venezuela

And now we have something straight out of a fairytale. You are looking at Angel Falls, ladies, and gentlemen, the world’s highest waterfall. Its waters drop unbroken for an incredible 3,212 feet. The height figure also includes about 1,300 feet of sloped cascade and rapids below the drop and 98-feet high plunge downstream of the talus rapids. Just look at it. The falls look breathtakingly unreal. It’s like heaven on earth. 

This stunning waterfall located in Venezuela is named after US aviator Jimmy Angel, the first person to fly over the falls in the mid-20th century. What a lucky guy.

4. Underwater Waterfall, Mauritius

I think we can all agree that waterfalls are some of the most impressive sights on our planet. But do you know what’s even more impressive? Underwater Waterfall. Yep. You heard that right. I mean just look at the video and tell me it isn’t the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen. 

This natural wonder is located just off the southern tip of Mauritius, a tiny island about 1,240 miles off from Africa’s southeastern mainland coast.  And while looking at it from the shores doesn’t really do this stunning underwater waterfall a justice, looking at it from bird’s eye perspective is a whole new dimension of beautiful. I mean look at this thing. It is as if the water is legitimately cascading to the depths of the ocean floor. 

However, the truth is that it’s all a bit of an optical illusion. What do I mean? Well, you see, the dramatic underwater drop isn’t a drop at all. It’s just the natural flow of the underwater currents moving the sand and silt from the ocean floor in directions that make it seem that way. Well, it doesn’t make it any less interesting, does it?

3. Giant Crystal Cave, Mexico

While crystal caves are not a rare phenomenon, the one discovered under the city of Naica in Mexico, is one of the most impressive places on the planet. And before you ask. No, this isn’t photoshop, it’s not an illusion, this cave is really full of giant crystals. Is it just me or they look like a shark’s mouth? No?

In any case, these are the largest selenite crystals on the planet.For example, the largest of the crystals found reaches 36 feet at length 13 in diameter andweighs about 55 tons. Can you imagine?  

The cave is extremely difficult to explore because of the extreme conditions, constant 90 to 100 percent humidity and extremely high temperatures so that an ordinary person can’t stay here more than 10 minutes without a special protective suit.

2. Antelope Canyon, Arizona

Antelope Canyon in Arizona is a constant reminder of just how powerful nature can be. It’s really satisfying to even watch this place on a video. I can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like to see it in person. This one’s definitely going on my bucket list. Just look at the rocks. They are so finely whipped and curved that they almost look like a mousse or an ice cream. 

This was all carved out by the wind, water and the passing of the years. I mean come on. It’s so beautiful that it looks like some kind of a Hollywood special effect.

A narrow passageway allows tourists a route through the canyon where they’ll be surrounded by smooth sandstone that stands 120 feet high. There’s a constant flood risk in this area which is why it’s recommended to go with a qualified tour guide. I get that this place is beautiful and all, but I wouldn’t want to get trapped here.

1. Fresh Water meets seawater

This incredible footage was filmed just in front of Vancouver, Canada, where the Fraser River enters the Strait Of Georgia. You can see the freshwater of the Fraser River which is full of silt meeting the denser, clear blue saltwater of the ocean, making it look like there are two separate bodies of water not mixing. It’s a truly remarkable sight.

It definitely seems as though the freshwater is pushing back the seawater and creating the visible boundary between the two waters. But that’s not what’s happening here. It may not seem like it, but the freshwater and seawater are actually mixing. Let’s explain how.

You see, the line of freshwater rises up and over the denser saltwater creating a boundary under the surface where the particles are binding together and dropping down forming a sediment layer and mixing the two waters together.

The mixing of freshwater streams with ocean seawater is very common but not allrivers produce this amazing boundary effect as the Fraser River.

Which one of these amazing places did you find the most fascinating? Let me know in the comments below.

The post Scientifically Impossible Places That Actually Exist appeared first on Blind Side.

15. Eagle Lake Trains

If you find yourself in Maine for whatever reason, and you consider yourself a bit of an adventurer, then why not start the hunt for the Eagle Lake locomotives? Sitting abandoned where they were last used, it makes for the perfect photo opportunity and outdoor adventure. 

The Eagle Lake and West Branch Railroad replaced the tramway system back in 1926. Locomotives would run from Eagle Lake 13 miles up to Umbazooksus Lake, connecting the Penobscot River’s west branch via Chesuncook Lake. 

While locomotive journeys went off without a hitch, they were abruptly stopped in the 1930s, within a few short years of their initial runs. By then, locomotives were somewhat obsolete – to the point where no one could even be bothered removing them from their resting place. Instead, they were left in a shed by Eagle Lake, where they still remain. 

If you want to go see them, you have to be somewhat experienced in the outdoors, for they are in the middle of the woods and only accessible on foot or by snowmobile in the winter. Coordinates are available online, and don’t forget your camera! 

14. Perm Region

These trains will no longer take you on a trip, but they can certainly take you on a journey back through time! If you’re a locomotive lover and a bit of a history buff, then it might be time to make your way to the central Perm region of Russia, near a village called Shumkovo. 

A little off the beaten track, it’s hard not to notice the dozens of steam locomotives sitting idly on rusty rails with vegetation growing all through and around them. The oldest dates back to 1936, while the youngest of the lot is from 1956. 

You might be wondering how all these beautiful specimens came to be in the one place, and, no, it wasn’t a cemetery for the retired and tired trains that were no longer fit for purpose. Instead, the area where the trains are used to be a backup railway base during the Soviet era, which existed just in case a nuclear war were to happen. At that time, about 140 trains were lined up, ready for action. 

When power replaced steam, they were pretty much obsolete, and maintenance stopped. Some trains were purchased for use in China, and others were restored and put in museums. The dozens that remain will be left to rot under the watchful eye of Grigoriy Gordeyev who manages the site. 

13. Georgia Train Bridge 

The building of a bridge is not something that governments and local councils like to do all too often. After all, it can take months of planning, hundreds of thousands of dollars, and plenty of logistics. So, if you can get away with not building a bridge, then wouldn’t you? In Georgia, (not our Georgia, another one), that’s precisely what happened. 

Anyone that has ever found themselves on Route 11, around nine miles from Khertvisi to Akhalkalaki, has most likely stumbled across a long train carriage that appears to blister the landscape unexpectedly. After all, who expects to find a train so far from a train track? 

Instead of sitting on a train track, this passenger carriage sits on one end of a river and reaches over to the other side, forming a type of pedestrian bridge. 

The train is old and rusted, and the inside is not exactly in peak condition. In fact, there is a massive gaping hole where palings to form flooring once lay, and missing boards right the way through. Still, the train continues to be a popular attraction, with many braving the threat of rushing water below just to get their photo with the absurd locomotive. 

12. France UK Abandoned Train 

When Parisian Adrien Adcaz discovered an abandoned train on Google Maps, and signs that other urban explorers had visited it, he knew he had to see it for himself. After all, how often does one get the opportunity to explore a modern Eurostar train without dozens of passengers on board? Not often, which is probably why the footage he took of his experience gained upward of 460,000 views on YouTube. 

Adrien visited the London-to-Paris train to discover it had 13 carriages, including two restaurant carriages, and was in the company of another train nearby. 

The tables were littered with dusty old magazines, while all the engine and driver controls were intact. It was almost as if the train completed its last run for the day, then never went again. Now, it’s covered in graffiti with broken windows, broken walls, and damaged front panels. 

The train ran between 1994 and 2014 but became obsolete with the introduction of the e320 train. Instead of being sent to a scrapyard, it stayed where it lay until Eurostar arranged for it to be dismantled and recycled in 2018. 

11. Aldwych Station

If you’ve seen the film V for Vendetta, then you’ve seen Aldwych Station, and you can even view it in person if the fancy takes you. Aldwych Station is an old, abandoned tube station in London that has been used as a film location on many occasions. 

Be on the lookout for glimpses of it in Sherlock, The Good Shepherd, Battle of Britain, and 28 Weeks Later, just to name a few. Now, it is open for tours, should you be willing to pay money to visit an abandoned old tunnel.

Aldwych Station was largely used by shuttle trains, but it always had low passenger numbers. As a result, it was closed in 1994 after having only operated during peak hours on weekdays since 1962. While it now sits abandoned, don’t let that detract from its once rich history. 

It was once used to shelter precious artwork from galleries and museums during both World Wars and had been the subject of many an expansion proposal over the years. Even after several threats of closure, it continued to hold its own until its eventual cull from the train timetable. 

Extra source from writer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldwych_tube_station 

10. Abandoned in Scotland 

On a forum called Derelict Places – Documenting Decay, a user by the name of Laurenlee87 posted photos from her recent adventure into the great outdoors around Fife, Scotland, with her eight-year-old child. First on the list of places to visit was a fever hospital and old hotel, but the trip got really interesting when the pair stumbled across an old, abandoned train in some local woods. 

Laurenlee87 said that the train had 12 carriages in total and was sitting on an old line. While some of the carriages had been burnt out, the majority were in decent condition. Of course, “decent” basically means better than burnt, for vandals had smashed windows and caused chaos and destruction as they often do. 

The exterior of the train was entirely covered in rust, only broken up by the bright colors of graffiti sprayed on by wannabe artists. Most tables and chairs appeared to be intact, with greenery growing through to offer the illusion of al fresco dining.  

Aside from shattered glass throughout from broken windows, even the carpet appeared to be in good nick. While you wouldn’t be able to start this train up in a hurry, you can at least say that as far as abandoned ones go, it’s not in the worst shape. 

9. Last Train to Nowhere 

♫♪♪ Just a small-town girl, livin’ in a lonely world, she took the midnight train going aaanywhere…♫♪♪ 

But if she took this train, she’s definitely going nowhere. Aptly dubbed The Last Train to Nowhere, all that remains of the Council City and Solomon River Railroad on the Seward Peninsula is a few old rusty steam locomotives and some broken dreams. 

In the early 1900s, grand plans were in place to build a railroad called the Council City and Solomon River Railroad to link major mining centers together during the gold rush. However, as the gold rush faded, debt levels grew. 

Eventually, after five years of construction, the railroad only spanned 35 miles and was abandoned in 1907. The steam locomotives and rolling stock now lie permanently across the Bonanza Bridge, slowly sinking into the water-logged tundra beneath. 

Even though the railroad was never finished or used for its intended purpose, it’s not entirely useless. Locomotive lovers appear in their droves to see the sight, and there are even viewing platforms to allow them to do so safely. Why not go check it out for yourself? 

8. From Manchester to the World  

This one is not so much a single abandoned train, as it is the abandonment of an entire type of train. Beyer, Peacock & Co. Lt was a company that built around 8,000 steam locomotives that they shipped all over the world. Their trains were so versatile and durable that they even suited underdeveloped countries who up until 1976, still used steam locomotives from the company. 

It would seem like Beyer, Peacock & Co were thriving, but technology is a blasted thing. Tramways and electric railways were on the up and up, and the company had to diversify to keep up. They dabbled in a few electric locos and road steam wagons, but steam locomotives were still their bread and butter. 

When British Rail decided to use diesel, many other companies around the world followed suit, which meant there was no longer any demand for their steam product. 

By the time 1966 rolled around, the company was all but closed. However, those who are interested in their locomotive production can view over 2,500 photos and 4,000 engineering drawings at the Science and Industry Museum in the UK. 

7. Abandoned NYC Subway Station

Did you know that underneath New York City Hall, there’s an abandoned, closed subway station? You might not, but you do now. 

New York has one of the largest subway systems in North America, but it’s also home to one of the first-ever underground stations, which is now only available to view by special tour. 

It first opened in 1904 and had gilded chandeliers and electric lights, not to mention skylights that allowed sunlight to filter through. It was a sight to behold. 

On its first day of operation, around 15,000 people shelled out a nickel to be one of the first to ride the first subway outside of Europe. 

It seemed like one of the best things to ever happen to New Yorkers, but it didn’t take long until it no longer suited people’s needs – or safety requirements. 

When train cars became longer, the gap between the train platform and the doors was too wide. The station also didn’t offer express service, but the nearby Brooklyn Bridge Station nearby did. Therefore, people would often prefer to walk from that station. Due to these issues, the station saw its final trains through it in 1945. 

Extra source from writer: https://www.businessinsider.com.au/abandoned-nyc-city-hall-subway-station-tour-2019-1?r=US&IR=T 

6. Maglev Train

In 2006, the first test journey of a Transrapid Maglev train ended in disaster, when it collided with a maintenance vehicle at a little over 100 miles per hour. Many human errors contributed to the accident, which claimed 23 lives and saw two engineers convicted of manslaughter. 

The maglev train, which stands for magnetic levitation, was a revolutionary development in the railway world which saw the train hovering above the tracks, rather than gliding along on them. At the time, it was thought to be one of the safest forms of transport. Yeah, that’s what they said about the Titanic. 

The test site where the train traveled had been considered a positive development for the area, and Transrapid were seen as leading the way. After the accident, though, that all changed. By 2011, the test track that spanned nearly 20 miles had been abandoned, and the area has become a memorial site for the victims onboard the train. 

While the train and test track were abandoned, so too was the entire site. Millions of Euros had been and needed to be injected into the demolition of it, which was made challenging by pillar supports being buried 50 feet in the ground. 

Extra source from writer: https://www.thelocal.de/20160922/10-years-since-magnet-train-crash-emsland-transrapid 

5. Trans Europ Express 

The Trans Europ Express (TEE) was the epitome of luxury and the Rolls Royce of the train world. It was a long-distance rail passenger train that served customers’ needs from 1957 until 1987 from Austria to Switzerland. 

TEE trains had to be reserved in advance, and surcharges applied. If you were fortunate enough to travel for business, you could even make the most of train secretarial sections so you could work on the road. 

The TEE trains were as classy as they come, and could reach speeds of up to 87 miles per hour with an 18-ton load. They also had 120 seats in rows of no more than three, a galley, and a beautiful wine and beige color scheme that screamed elegance and royalty.

But all good things must come to an end. Technology changes, needs change, people change, and the TEE train was no longer the best that train manufacturers had to offer. What’s more, with engine upgrades, including gas turbine helicopters to accommodate additional speed, the high fuel costs made this train no longer economical. Therefore, it was abandoned. 

Extra source from writer: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans-Europ-Express

4. Abandoned Maine Steam Engines 

If you find yourself in the Maine Woods, northwest of Chamberlain Lake, then you won’t be able to help but stumble across the rusted remains of two steam locomotives. Believe it or not, they are leftover from the industrial revolution, and boy do they have a story to tell.

These two locomotives were used to transport logs and pulpwood to local mills to be turned into lumber. Because of the watershed problem, the most effective solution for transport was trains. 

A lumber baron called Edouard Lacroix went to New York City and purchased the two trains before having them delivered to Quebec. They were disassembled, moved over ice roads of Eagle and Churchill Lakes, and a new train track was formed to put them to use. Bringing two 100-ton trains into the middle of nowhere was no mean feat, but they made it happen. 

The trains made their first successful trip in 1927 and shifted around 6,500 cords of pulpwood per week. That meant that the Great Northern Paper Mill was able to manufacture around 20 percent of the country’s annual paper supplies. After they carried one million cords to the mill, the Great Depression hit, and they were parked in a shed, never to move wood again. 

3. Tram Graveyard 

When a car, tram, or bus is retired, has an accident, or is no longer needed, where do you think it goes? Well, most likely to Volochaevskaya Street in Moscow, Russia, by the looks of it. 

Take a peek over the fence of a tram repair factory on this street, and you will likely see what looks like a scene from the Walking Dead. Old, abandoned, overgrown, and rusted vehicles that will not likely make their way back onto any roads ever again. 

Rows and rows of old trams, buses, trucks, cars, and more, have been left to rot away, even after some show signs of care at some point. Owners have made an effort to cover many cars with plastic or board up windows to prevent the elements from getting inside. 

Others, though, are nearly rusted through, with trees growing from rear windows and flat tires that show they will never move again. Wooden-roofed trams have seen the best years they ever will, too. 

While the tram graveyard makes for a beautiful photo opportunity, it’s quite sad to see all the abandonment in a single photo. 

2. Trolley Central Pennsylvania 

Some people have lived in Pennsylvania their entire life and still never knew about this place. So, there’s every reason to think you might not have, either. Dubbed the Abandoned Trolley Graveyard, an area south of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, is home to around 40 vintage trolleys that are lying in wait for restoration or as parts trolleys for other trolleys to be restored. For now, they are rotting away. 

The trolleys are owned by the Vintage Electric Streetcar Company, and Ed Metka. Ed started collecting streetcars in 1986 and stored them on a track he rented in Maryland. After outgrowing the space, he moved them to the former Berwind Coal Company Railroad Shop site. 

Ed’s goal is to preserve the trolleys as more and more become lost to scrap. He believes all of them can be used as parts or bodies, with most of them dating back to the 1940s. 

The site where they are held used to be open for tours by appointment, but that might not be the case anymore. The tours would begin at the front of the building, with nice streetcars housed in a shed for restoration efforts. The rest were kept on tracks in the woods behind the building. 

1. Jacumba, CA 

How far are you willing to walk to see some of the best abandoned trains in the world? Let’s say 14 miles, that should do it. On a series of railroads in Jacumba, several abandoned trains span a seven-mile distance. 

Once you navigate your way through bushes near the DeAnza Springs Resort, you can find yourself face to face with some of the most spectacular abandoned trains you will ever see. The best part? Most are in surprisingly good condition.

One of the first trains that explorers will come across is a unique double-decker. It has two floors and dozens of rows of seats to fit in as many passengers as possible. Most of these seats look as pristine as the day the last passengers left.

While birds are the only passengers on board these trains now, it’s not hard to imagine what they had been like while in service. 

Rust has taken hold of a few along the tracks, and graffiti is a common sight on pretty much all of them, but you’ll be able to see past those imperfections. These trains are indeed something any loco lover will enjoy. 

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