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Even though we are way past Halloween and should be focused on all that Christmas cheer, it’s hard to avoid having some chills going down our spines every now and then. And no, not because of the cold winter nights crawling on us, we mean real creepy stuff.

The internet is famous for its random and disturbing content, so we cannot help but spread the most interesting bits we find! So let’s plunge into the subreddit r/oddlyterrifying, a place that, as you might have guessed, is dedicated to sharing strangely terrifying images. It has 2.5M members, which isn’t that surprising considering the pictures there are weirdly enticing to look at.

Scroll down through the newest stack of tingly scenes and don’t forget to check out our previous posts here, here and here.

#2

The More I Learn About Mushrooms The Less Comfortable I Am With The Idea Of Mushrooms

The More I Learn About Mushrooms The Less Comfortable I Am With The Idea Of Mushrooms

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Glancing at these images, we experience a paradox. It’s terrifying to look at them, however, it’s also hard to look away. To find out what fascinates people about the unsettling photos, Bored Panda spoke with Francis McAndrew, Cornelia H. Dudley Professor of Psychology at Knox College and Coltan Scrivner, behavioral scientist and expert on the science of horror and morbid curiosity.

#5

Instead Of Carving The Jack-O-Lantern Myself This Year

Instead Of Carving The Jack-O-Lantern Myself This Year

I poked a bunch of small holes in a pumpkin and stuffed the holes with peanut butter. I then let the squirrels go at it for two days. The result is something truly disturbingly.

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Prof. McAndrew told that there are different types of creepiness, but they all have one thing in common: ambiguity. "In its most extreme form, it is about the uncertainty of threat or danger. We can get creeped out by a spooky place because it is uncertain if the place contains hidden things like predators, ghosts, or badly intentioned people who mean to do us harm. Similarly, we can be creeped out by a person who is behaving strangely and not obeying the usual rules for interacting with a stranger. Our uncertainty about whether the person is dangerous or just awkward leaves us wallowing in discomfort and feeling 'creeped out.'

Sometimes, we can get creeped out by things that we know are not dangerous, but they still make us uncomfortable because we do not know how to categorize them or react to them. For example, dolls or robots that are too lifelike trigger responses that we would make to an actual human being, but the fact that we know they are not human creates an uncomfortable tension that we need to resolve. We do not like uncertainty."

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#7

These Bathroom Tiles

These Bathroom Tiles

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#8

If We Drew Modern Animals The Way We Draw Dinosaurs, Based On Bones Alone

If We Drew Modern Animals The Way We Draw Dinosaurs, Based On Bones Alone

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C. Scrivner explains creepiness as the feeling that something might be dangerous. “When we are sure we are facing something dangerous, we feel afraid. When we are facing something that is more ambiguous, we feel creeped out.”

People are attracted to learning about danger, particularly when they can safely learn about danger (in this case, looking at these oddly terrifying images). C. Scrivener explained that things that are unsettling are creepy, which means we aren't sure if they're dangerous or not. “This uncertain danger is particularly attractive for our minds. We want to learn more about the unsettling thing so that we can know if it's dangerous or not.”

#10

Signature Evolution In Alzheimer’s Disease

Signature Evolution In Alzheimer’s Disease

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Sonia Ward
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mum has alzheimers. Her writing is still fine but she used to be an English teacher and every time I see her spelling, crossing outs and grammar it breaks my heart. This is one of the very small ways the disease has effected her. She is now delusional and paranoid most of the time; nearly always terrified and anxious.

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#11

A Sweet Potato Dug Up From A Garden

A Sweet Potato Dug Up From A Garden

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C. Scrivener continued: “Creepiness differs a bit from individual to individual, just like fears. However, just like there are some things that are more likely to be feared (e.g. heights, snakes), there are probably some things that are more likely to be creepy. Things that have both elements of danger and safety might be more likely to be creepy, like a life-like doll or an abandoned house. Dolls are cute and safe, but maybe not if they're alive. Houses are places of refuge, but maybe not if they're abandoned.”

#13

Appears I Had A Visitor While Working Alone In A Large Abandoned Basement…

Appears I Had A Visitor While Working Alone In A Large Abandoned Basement…

ssweigart1029 Report

#14

Why Even Need This Is What Scares Me

Why Even Need This Is What Scares Me

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#16

Lake Mead 1983 vs. 2021

Lake Mead 1983 vs. 2021

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According to prof. McAndrew, things that are novel or strange automatically attract our attention. "For good evolutionary reasons, we need to figure out new things we encounter in case they are a threat to us or possibly a good thing that we can take advantage of. That is why we can't look away until we have figured them out."

"Some people are more comfortable with uncertainty and ambiguity than others, and the people who are least comfortable with it are the people who will be most easily creeped out."

#17

Mother Centipede Cradling Her Children

Mother Centipede Cradling Her Children

Acetosedactylis73 Report

#18

A 4-Year-Old Boy Named Bobby Dunbar Disappeared While On A Trip With His Family

A 4-Year-Old Boy Named Bobby Dunbar Disappeared While On A Trip With His Family

8 months later, they found him and reunited him with his family, and they lived out the rest of their lives together. Nearly 100 years later, DNA evidence proved that the boy they rescued was not Bobby Dunbar.

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What changes in us when we are creeped out? According to C. Scrivener, feeling creeped out has similar effects to anxiety. “Our mind prepares the senses for information gathering and we are more on alert than usual. This helps us efficiently learn about the potential danger. In the case of images, there is no actual danger. There are likely no long-term negative effects of viewing unsettling images.”

Prof. McAndrew added that they raise our arousal levels and focus our attention. "They create an uncomfortable emotion that will keep us motivated to keep processing information about the images until we resolve them, much the same way hunger or thirst (unpleasant feelings) motivate us to engage in behaviors (eating and drinking) that will eradicate the feeling."

#21

Meanwhile, In Australia

Meanwhile, In Australia

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XenoMurph
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd open a shop just down the road, with a bigger sign, and better snacks.

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#22

Civilians Taking Care Of Zoo Animals In Their Own Homes During Wwii

Civilians Taking Care Of Zoo Animals In Their Own Homes During Wwii

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#23

Lighthouse By The Coast Of Iceland

Lighthouse By The Coast Of Iceland

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#24

This Is Point Nemo, The Spot Farthest Away From Any Land In The World. You Are Closer To Astronauts Aboard The Iss Than Humanity

This Is Point Nemo, The Spot Farthest Away From Any Land In The World. You Are Closer To Astronauts Aboard The Iss Than Humanity

SabsWithR Report

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Sergy Yeltsen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If only you could get some solid land (volcanic island?), internet and food delivery there, I'd move in a heartbeat.

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#25

Woman’s Neighbor Sprays Raid, Peeks Through The Slits In The Fence…

Woman’s Neighbor Sprays Raid, Peeks Through The Slits In The Fence…

14thCenturyHood Report

#26

Walking Home 4 Miles In Abandoned Railroad Tracks

Walking Home 4 Miles In Abandoned Railroad Tracks

No other way to get home unless I want to walk through gang run drug areas. that's the scary part, this is safer.

0asisfan2 Report

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Yayheterogeneity
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So sorry, you have to deal with that and have no safer way to get home.

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#27

Antheraea Polyphemus... Basically A Tarantula With Wings

Antheraea Polyphemus... Basically A Tarantula With Wings

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#29

Imagine Going To Explore Your Ski Resort On Holiday And Running Into This

Imagine Going To Explore Your Ski Resort On Holiday And Running Into This

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Powerful Katrinka
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My family owns a ski area in Colorado, and we have quite a few signs like this. People stop, read it, and duck under the ropes anyway. Then my brother and his crew find the bodies when the snow melts.

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#30

My Spine. I Went In For Surgery At 5'10", Came Out 6'2", I'm Supposed To Be 6'7"

My Spine. I Went In For Surgery At 5'10", Came Out 6'2", I'm Supposed To Be 6'7"

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#31

Bugs Escaping From A Flood

Bugs Escaping From A Flood

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#33

Every Single Frog Is Looking Eerily In The Same Direction

Every Single Frog Is Looking Eerily In The Same Direction

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#34

Known Locations Of Bodies On Mt. Everest

Known Locations Of Bodies On Mt. Everest

SomeoneFromGalar Report

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Mayra
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I read somewhere they have to leave the bodies up there because it’s super dangerous to try and recover them, so sad

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#36

Stevn King In The 70's vs. Steven King In His 70's

Stevn King In The 70's vs. Steven King In His 70's

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#38

This Amazon Warehouse In Tijuana, Mexico

This Amazon Warehouse In Tijuana, Mexico

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#39

This Is The Last Source Of Light For 600 Miles

This Is The Last Source Of Light For 600 Miles

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#40

This Past Thursday Marked The 13th Anniversary Of John Jones Death In Nutty Putty Cave

This Past Thursday Marked The 13th Anniversary Of John Jones Death In Nutty Putty Cave

Jones found himself in a situation no man could help him and after being stuck upside down for 26 hours he died of cardiac arrest while his wife and daughter stood hundreds of feet above.

0asisfan2 Report

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And i was like WTF!!
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I understand curiosity, but what makes you go like "Hmmm i think i will go in this narrow cannal in this part that is not explored where i can barely squeesse and pass, that seems like a smart idea"

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#43

Ponte City Apartments In Johannesburg, South Africa. The Tallest Residential Building On The African Continent

Ponte City Apartments In Johannesburg, South Africa. The Tallest Residential Building On The African Continent

fyflate89 Report

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Rachknits
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Apparently they were built like this due to building regulation requiring kitchens and bathrooms to have a window so they have windows on the outside and inside.

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#44

My Wife Found This Trail-Cam Pointed At The Back Door Of The Restaurant She Manages

My Wife Found This Trail-Cam Pointed At The Back Door Of The Restaurant She Manages

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#45

This Warning Sign

This Warning Sign

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#46

We Hired A Chimney Specialist Today And They Found This. They Said “Well, This Is A First”

We Hired A Chimney Specialist Today And They Found This. They Said “Well, This Is A First”

TheClarkes Report

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TKA
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OP said it still had a charge but wasn’t turned on. Previous tenant/owner was going through nasty divorce.

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#47

My Father In Their Home Right Now During Ian

My Father In Their Home Right Now During Ian

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Groundcontroltomajortom
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I didn't even see the water till I read the comments, just thought it was a really tall guy standing in a really messy room lol

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#48

My Friend Went Into A Fugue State And Wandered Into The Countryside At 3am

My Friend Went Into A Fugue State And Wandered Into The Countryside At 3am

Phoned me at around 5am explaining that he had no idea where he was, soaking wet to the bone and covered in cuts, bruises and this bite(?)

Mighty_Cunnus Report

#49

This Statue Of The Devil Defeating The Archangel Michael On Top Of A Tomb That Is Caged Off

This Statue Of The Devil Defeating The Archangel Michael On Top Of A Tomb That Is Caged Off

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SupaCab
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

From Atlas Obscura: The man buried in the tomb is Don Simeon Bernardo. According to historical accounts, Bernardo was a very religious man. He wanted the statue built as a reminder to all of society of the evil and darkness constantly engulfing the world.

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#50

Chinese Ghost City. Huge Skyscraper Areas That No One Lives In

Chinese Ghost City. Huge Skyscraper Areas That No One Lives In

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Firstname Lastname
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Copied from Reddit, because this is important: "I hate to break everyones party here. But this area is called: Meixi Lake park right outside Changsha. This picture was from 2015 when these buildings were new. This area is populated with its own metro system and a new mall. Type the area on youtube and you can see multiple videos of the area to get a gauge on how many people have since moved in and live there. HERe https://youtu.be/YPvjPllLp5o"

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Note: this post originally had 115 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

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