Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

People Break Down Which Animals May Look Innocent But Are Actually Quite Vicious

Don't pet the platypus.

It looks cute (and a little weird, which is probably why you want to pet it in the first place).

But I implore you to resist the urge!

Did you know that the platypus has a poisonous kick?

That's right. The platypus has venom glands that are connected to hollow spurs on its hind legs. It's one of the few mammals to produce venom. While it's not lethal to humans, it can cause excruciating pain.

People told us about other animals with deceiving appearances after Redditor [deleted] asked the online community,

"What animal looks innocent but isn't?"

"My mom was attacked..."

"Otters. My mom was attacked by one while she was swimming in a lake and she got 10 deep cuts on her legs that left gnarly scars. Some of the deeper cuts were infected so she had to go through months of antibiotic and IV treatment all because of a water rat."

nahif11954

That's pretty terrifying.

Aaaaaaand this is why I'm a city boy who steers far away from wildlife.

"Like what could possibly go wrong..."

"Jellyfish, specifically box jellyfish. Like what could possibly go wrong if I touch this little box shaped piece of jewelry with strings on it? Aaaaand I'm dying."

ficey9450

I was stung by a jellyfish once. Thankfully not the lethal kind. But it was terrible. I thought it was a plastic bag!

"Australia has too many..."

"Australia has too many… The platypus has 'excruciatingly painful' stingers on the back of their heels. Blue ringed octopuses can make you die. The cassowaries have a dagger as a beak. There's even this microscopic jellyfish that, if you are stung, literally makes you suicidal. Irukandji Jellyfish."

Catask

See?! What did I tell you? The platypus is one of nature's more deceptive and scary creatures!

"I used to love..."

"I used to love chipmunks and squirrels. So cute. Then some got into one of my coworker's attic. $15,000 of damages. Yeah. I now see them for the vermin with fluffy tails that they are."

Condex

I don't know what people see in them... yes, I have chipmunk prejudice.

"They look like..."

"Cone snails.

They look like empty shells on the beach. Then they spear you with a venomous barb when you pick them up."

Aussieboy393

"Don't be fooled by..."

"Hippos. Don't be fooled by how the cartoons and folktales are portrayed. They are dangerous and unpredictable. They are the animals crocs are afraid of."

LordCoke-16

I once stayed up all night reading about hippo attacks. Wikipedia can take you down some rabbit holes.

"They are more aggressive..."

"Geese.

Especially Canada Geese.

They are more aggressive than wasps, attack more people than the scariest-looking animals do, and have teeth on their tongues."

Boss_Pigeon

"Because of their endangered status..."

"Pandas. Because of their endangered status and how they are portrayed in media people seem to forget they are still a f****** bear."

theearthhasnoedges

"One of the most terrifying facts..."

"Golden Poison Frog.

One of the most terrifying facts about the Golden Poison Dart Frog's toxins is that they can kill nearly any species in under ten minutes, and there is no cure for the toxin."

Back2Bach

Another reason why I don't want to be in the jungle anytime soon!

"Nothin' innocent..."

"Raccoons. Nothin' innocent about rabies, or the other diseases they can carry, including an infection in your eyes!"

ral365

Nature is terrifying, isn't it?

If you're looking to enjoy it, remember that it's best to keep a safe distance.

Have some opinions of your own? Feel free to tell us in the comments below!

Want to "know" more? Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again. Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.

More from Trending/best-of-reddit

Michael Fishman
@reelmfishman/Instagram

'Roseanne' Star Urges 'Compassion' With Wake-Up Call Video About Who Actually Uses SNAP Benefits

Michael Fishman, the 44-year-old actor, writer, producer, and director who started playing the character of DJ Connor on the 1980s sitcom Roseanne at just 6 years old, took to his social media recently to counter the narrative being pushed by conservative talking heads like Matt Walsh about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Drawing on his own on-screen and real life experiences, Fishman called for compassion instead of judgment.

Keep ReadingShow less
Zohran Mamdani; Screenshot of Elon Musk
Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images; The Joe Rogan Experience

Elon Musk Roasted For His Sputtering Explanation For Why Zohran Mamdani Is A 'Swindler'

Billionaire Elon Musk was widely mocked after he couldn't explain why he believes New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is a "charismatic swindler" and struggled to form a coherent sentence during an appearance on conservative pundit Joe Rogan's podcast.

Musk appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience just before Tuesday's election result, which saw Mamdani, a democratic socialist, beat back the establishment despite months of racist and Islamophobic attacks from the right-wing.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tomi Lahren
Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Tomi Lahren Just Warned Democrats Not To Flee To 'Great Red Cities'—And Everyone Had The Same Question

People are raising their eyebrows after conservative influencer Tomi Lahren went viral with a warning for Democrats not to flee to "our great red cities."

Lahren's post came in response to the significant losses Republicans faced around the country following Tuesday's elections.

Keep ReadingShow less

People Explain What Happened To Significant Others Who Cheated And Then Dated Their Affair Partner

Whether we've been cheated on before, most of us hold pretty strong opinions about the people of the world who choose to cheat instead of simply ending the relationship.

But there's a particular ring of treachery reserved for the people who not only get caught having an affair, but who then choose their affair partner over the person they committed to.

Keep ReadingShow less