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Mother Nature continues to amaze us every day, even when we fail to treat her with the love and respect she deserves. There are too many dreamy landscapes and mind-boggling animals that exist right outside our urban surroundings, just waiting to be appreciated. But be careful though — if you get too close, things can go from mesmerizing to straight-up terrifying in mere seconds.

You see, not all wildlife surprises are pleasant. They sometimes crawl into the comfort of our homes to remind us that nature is not to be messed with. In fact, there are plenty of horrified poor souls that have experienced these unsettling terrors firsthand. Before running to the hills, they managed to snap a photo and share their horror stories with everyone online.

We at Bored Panda scoured the internet and found plenty of cases where nature provided our world with alien-like creatures to scare the heck out of everyone who crosses them. Continue scrolling and let us know which ones made you say 'nope' the loudest! And if by some chance you think you can handle even more creepy and spooky examples, check out our earlier compilations of this feature here, here, and here.

#1

Caught This Storm Above A Bowing Field Of Sunflowers

Caught This Storm Above A Bowing Field Of Sunflowers

Valuablegemphoto Report

#2

Due To The Low Temperature, Lake Michigan Shattered Into Countless Pieces Of Ice

Due To The Low Temperature, Lake Michigan Shattered Into Countless Pieces Of Ice

bissell2300 Report

To learn more about our fear of the natural world, especially insects, we reached out to Robert Bixler, emeritus associate professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management at Clemson University. He told Bored Panda that if we were to grab several hundred children’s books right now, we would find invertebrates such as butterflies, ladybugs, and snails disproportionately used there.

"People who hate bugs love butterflies. Butterflies are insects but are perceived differently from all other insects and small invertebrates," he said. This does beg the question, why do we respond positively to the story-like creatures yet feel annoyance and disgust when it comes to the creepy-crawly ones?

#3

This Is A Wasp Nest That Has Grown Around The Floodlights On A Garage

This Is A Wasp Nest That Has Grown Around The Floodlights On A Garage

John Sharp Report

#4

I Share A New Jaguar Photo With You, Earlier Than I Wanted. Hopefully, You Will Like This Striking Image

I Share A New Jaguar Photo With You, Earlier Than I Wanted. Hopefully, You Will Like This Striking Image

brookimage Report

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The professor explained that people often look at insects in fear because some of them use us as a source of food. "Mosquitoes, horse flies, and gnats, along with pest beetles and moths that get into our food. These insects come around repeatedly to feed on us and annoy us. These repetitive and annoying experiences convince us that we hate bugs," he added.

Another factor to take in is the startle effect. "A vast majority of the million-plus species of insects stay hidden to avoid being eaten. We have never seen them and are surprised when we actually do see these strange creatures" Bixler continued. "[Insects] are perceptually so different than vertebrate animals. They move differently, they make unmusical vibration-like sounds to communicate (e.g., cicadas and katydids all summer long in trees), and eye contact is difficult. From a threat potential perspective, we know that some are harmful and stinging. Yet we know nothing about the other million species. Better to assume the worst," he said.

#6

Started Work This Morning, Put My Headset On, Felt Something Furry In My Ear, Looked And There Is A Bat In My Headset

Started Work This Morning, Put My Headset On, Felt Something Furry In My Ear, Looked And There Is A Bat In My Headset

soulhacler Report

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Jeffrey A. Lockwood, professor of Natural Sciences and Humanities at the University of Wyoming and author of The Infested Mind, told us that at least 6 percent of Americans suffer from entomophobia (fear of insects). "Some studies report that as many as one-in-five women experience this condition in any given year. Conservatively, 20 million people live with an irrational fear of insects and their kin," he added.

"Fear is the heart-pounding response to present danger and anxiety is the disquiet that comes with anticipating danger. In clinical terms, the patient experiencing fear is highly aroused and seeks to escape the situation," Lockwood said. "On the other hand, the anxious patient is worried and focuses attention on possible sources of impending harm."

#7

Moose In Fog

Moose In Fog

Coral Cartwright Report

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Miss Frankfurter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful actually. Hope it was taken with a long lense, otherwise, they probably found this picture in the camera beside the body!

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#8

Stygian Owl Is Known For The Red Reflection Of Their Eyes That Are Often Associated With The Devil

Stygian Owl Is Known For The Red Reflection Of Their Eyes That Are Often Associated With The Devil

massimo_bragi Report

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Lockwood mentioned another study of more than 1000 households that revealed that 38 percent of the respondents disliked arthropods in their yards, and 84 percent didn’t want them in their homes: "So an aversion toward insects, if not full-blown entomophobia, is extremely common in our society."

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The strong dislike of insects is rooted in six "fear-evoking perceptual properties", Lockwood said. According to him, insects can:

  • Invade our homes and bodies,
  • Evade us via quick, unpredictable movements, to which it might be added that the furtive skittering of a cockroach, for example, with its head lowered as if slinking out of the room, evokes a sense that the creature is guilty or ashamed,
  • Undergo rapid population growth and reach staggeringly large numbers which threaten our sense of individuality,
  • Harm us both directly (bite and sting) and indirectly (transmit disease, as well as destroy woodwork, carpets, book bindings, electrical wiring, and food stores),
  • Instill a disturbing sense of otherness via their alien bodies — they are real-world monsters associated with madness (e.g., Going Bugs by James Hillman),
  • Defy our will and control via a kind of radical, mindless or amoral autonomy. 
#10

Man Finds Huge Spider Hiding Inside Ear Muffs After Feeling Tickle In His Ear

Man Finds Huge Spider Hiding Inside Ear Muffs After Feeling Tickle In His Ear

olsta05 Report

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#12

Hickory Horned Devil. Largest Caterpillar In The World. Turns Into A Regal Moth. Can Grow 6 Inches Long And Is Completely Harmless Except Visually Terrifying

Hickory Horned Devil. Largest Caterpillar In The World. Turns Into A Regal Moth. Can Grow 6 Inches Long And Is Completely Harmless Except Visually Terrifying

Berdarien Report

According to Lockwood, researchers have found three mechanisms through which early experiences can spawn phobias: "Direct experience (e.g., a cockroach runs up a kid’s pant leg), modeling (e.g., a kid sees his mother scream in terror at cockroaches), and instruction (a kid’s father tells her a story about cockroaches burrowing into children’s ears)."

Although most of us developed negative feelings towards these sci-fi-like creatures we call insects, some people find them fascinating. "[They] can become an interest for children and adults. The late Harvard biologist E. O. Wilson has often remarked that children had a 'bug period' and that I never got over mine," Robert Bixler told us.

#13

This Looks Like A Scene From A Movie. Six Waterspouts Simultaneously In The Gulf Of Mexico

This Looks Like A Scene From A Movie. Six Waterspouts Simultaneously In The Gulf Of Mexico

frank.leday Report

#14

Well There Is A Water Snake Living In My Toilet Somehow

Well There Is A Water Snake Living In My Toilet Somehow

TheEerieZeroQueen Report

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Mama Penguin
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

See? And I'm the weird one for checking my toilet bowl before I sit.

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#15

A Huntsman Spider Stealing My Cousin's Bacon

A Huntsman Spider Stealing My Cousin's Bacon

Maerdoch Report

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"[We] probably share childhood experiences of playing outside a lot in wild and semi-wild locations. Children have great eyesight and find, observe and play with lots of different insects that adults otherwise would miss," Bixler added. "Some local nature centers that have the job of helping people develop an interest in nearby nature are starting to create BUGket Lists — 90 insects every kid needs to find before they reach the age of 12."

#16

Infested Spider Tent

Infested Spider Tent

AKE.Theeranan Report

#17

Found In A Harpy Eagle's Nest

Found In A Harpy Eagle's Nest

Jack Hoopia Report

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Friday
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What kind of animal did the tiny skulls come from? Anybody know?

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#18

The Giant Devil’s Flower Mantis Looks Like Something That Crawled Out Of Hell

The Giant Devil’s Flower Mantis Looks Like Something That Crawled Out Of Hell

bugsandnaturethings Report

Even those alarmed by the strange and terrifying power insects have can fight their fear of the natural world by identifying the creatures they see. "People who are frightened by insects and spiders can find web pages showing the common stinging, biting insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates (centipedes) found in their area," Bixler explained.

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Another way would be to learn about their weird shapes and colorations. To be fair, we often fail to grasp the reason for all those horns and spines and long jaws. Bixler said that, for example, the female ichneumon wasp has what looks like a two to four-inch-long stinger. "Scares the hell out of people when they first see it. [But it] cannot sting at all. That 'stinger' is an egg-laying device (ovipositor) she inserts into tunnels made by beetles to lay eggs on the beetle larva," he explained.

#19

Was Playing Video Games When I Heard Sounds To My Left. Looked Over And Saw This

Was Playing Video Games When I Heard Sounds To My Left. Looked Over And Saw This

JulesGirth Report

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Friday
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don’t understand why people think Australia has all the scary animals. I find this image absolutely terrifying!

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#20

The Creatonotos Gangis Moth Unfurling Its “Hair-Pencils” To Spread Pheromones

The Creatonotos Gangis Moth Unfurling Its “Hair-Pencils” To Spread Pheromones

BoredPanda26 Report

#21

Went Into My Attic Looking For A Water Leak Coming Into My Living Room And It Appears That I'm Also In Quarantine With This Whatever Monstrosity Left This Behind

Went Into My Attic Looking For A Water Leak Coming Into My Living Room And It Appears That I'm Also In Quarantine With This Whatever Monstrosity Left This Behind

It's soft to the touch so I'm assuming it's still around.

lvnwk Report

"Once people get over their fear of insects, going on an insect safari can be full of fascinating surprises. Going out to look for ant lions and tiger beetles in your neighboring parks is much cheaper than a wildlife safari to some distant continent to see lions and tigers. The incredible variety of shapes, behaviors, and colorations of insects make them an excellent focus for nature photographers — you simply need to go looking for them in the right places — they will not come to you," Bixler concluded.

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#22

This Cluster Of Fossilised Creatures Look Like They Came From Another Planet

This Cluster Of Fossilised Creatures Look Like They Came From Another Planet

AeliosZero Report

#25

Snapdragon Seed Pods Are Kind Of Creepy

Snapdragon Seed Pods Are Kind Of Creepy

Jub_Jub710 Report

#26

Found This In My Apartment While Living In Japan. They Are Fast

Found This In My Apartment While Living In Japan. They Are Fast

Saucy_Lemur Report

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Susie Elle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The one creature I may actually find more terrifying that spiders. It's the legs.

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#27

Angler Fish Washed Ashore

Angler Fish Washed Ashore

Ben Estes Report

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Kasey Mauro
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow! Must have come a long way since they typically live deeper in the ocean!

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#28

This Moray Tried To Swallow A Pufferfish. Said Puffer Took Her With Him

This Moray Tried To Swallow A Pufferfish. Said Puffer Took Her With Him

Dr-David-XIII Report

#29

Heron Likes A Bit Of Crocodilian Dinner

Heron Likes A Bit Of Crocodilian Dinner

ArtofFlaneur Report

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Jaguarundi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

'Later gator. I see that pretty often this time of year in the bypass canals.

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#32

I Freaked Out A Little When I Met This While Cross Country Skiing

I Freaked Out A Little When I Met This While Cross Country Skiing

Dronas Report

#34

All The Brown You Can See Is Spiders

All The Brown You Can See Is Spiders

aloofwatermelon Report

#35

Apparently, A Species Of Guarana Plant Looks Like A Large Cluster Of Eyeballs

Apparently, A Species Of Guarana Plant Looks Like A Large Cluster Of Eyeballs

Babayagamyalgia Report

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Ritchat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And that's why they never make it onto the energy drink can design. I once had to design a new energy drink ad. Thought I might add some of the ingredients to the design. Quickly ditched that idea after a short google search.

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#37

It's The Legs For Me

It's The Legs For Me

gynoceros Report

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Adrian
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now that is a neat trick: gliding through the air while breastfeeding the young.

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#39

This Is A Wolf Eel, Pure Oceanic Nightmare Fuel

This Is A Wolf Eel, Pure Oceanic Nightmare Fuel

Nate Ethan Iszac Report

#40

Mouth Of A Emerald Boa

Mouth Of A Emerald Boa

Ultimategrid Report

#41

Sigh. This Is My Bathroom Ceiling, That Is A Brush-Tailed Possum Foot

Sigh. This Is My Bathroom Ceiling, That Is A Brush-Tailed Possum Foot

Sabrina Raven Report

#44

Australian Problems

Australian Problems

Christine Jones Report

#45

These Button Plants (Conophytum Wittebergense) Look Like Creepy Bloodshot Eyes

These Button Plants (Conophytum Wittebergense) Look Like Creepy Bloodshot Eyes

sunny_spot_mayo Report

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#46

For All The Naysayers Who Think The Rest Of Us Are Paranoid

For All The Naysayers Who Think The Rest Of Us Are Paranoid

xtremixtprime Report

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Mama Penguin
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I turn my shoes upside down and bang them on the floor beforehand. Traumatized by squeezing a cockroach inside my shoe when I was a child.

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#48

The Foot Of A Kangaroo

The Foot Of A Kangaroo

mati98 Report

#49

I Have Been Losing My Mind Over How My Work Shoes Are Always Spotless In The Morning After Being Out On My Porch Overnight

I Have Been Losing My Mind Over How My Work Shoes Are Always Spotless In The Morning After Being Out On My Porch Overnight

I wore different shoes to work last night and I found out why when I came home. There were about 50 and they only exist because of flour on my shoes.

megawaveoven Report

#50

Just Here To Ruin Your Day

Just Here To Ruin Your Day

D0NW0N Report

Note: this post originally had 174 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.