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Nature can be far more bizarre than you might expect. What animals get up to when there are no human beings around would remain a complete mystery if not for the existence of trail cameras.

As autumn sets in and the days get shorter, we thought that it might be time to get you all in a spooky mood. That’s why the Bored Panda team has scoured the far corners of the internet to bring you the creepiest and most unnerving photos ever captured by trail cams. Scroll down for the eeriest pics. But keep in mind, it’s not just animals that ended up in the frame…

#1

Possum Pulling Ticks Off A Deer's Face. Tick Infestations Are Serious In The Dry Months And Have Even Killed Young Ones. Possums Love To Eat Ticks. This Trail Cam Photo Shows How Nature In Balance Works

Possum Pulling Ticks Off A Deer's Face. Tick Infestations Are Serious In The Dry Months And Have Even Killed Young Ones. Possums Love To Eat Ticks. This Trail Cam Photo Shows How Nature In Balance Works

GallowBoob Report

#2

Trail Cam. Raccoons Stack Up For The Feeder

Trail Cam. Raccoons Stack Up For The Feeder

Randomized007 Report

Trail cameras are incredibly versatile tools. They allow researchers, conservationists, and photographers to take pictures without disturbing the local wildlife or ecosystem. Though some wildlife photographers prefer lying in wait for the perfect shot, in some cases, that might be impractical, so they rely on trail cams.

#3

Curious Ancient Puppers Cautiously Inspect A Trail Cam

Curious Ancient Puppers Cautiously Inspect A Trail Cam

mattjh Report

#4

Bald Eagle Size vs. Grey Wolf, Caught On Trail Cam

Bald Eagle Size vs. Grey Wolf, Caught On Trail Cam

Enzo_Gorlahh_mi Report

Generally, trail cams are motion-activated, weatherproof, and have infrared capabilities for taking pics in the dark. These tools are also known by a variety of different names, including wildlife cameras, remote cameras, game cameras, and even camera traps. The very earliest cameras of this type actually used tripwires to trigger the tool.

#5

Black Panther Caught On Trail Cam In Georgia

Black Panther Caught On Trail Cam In Georgia

reddit.com Report

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LakotaWolf (she/her)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s cute, but it’s not a “black panther” from “Georgia”. Both melanistic leopards and jaguars can (and are) called “black panthers”, but NEITHER are native to Georgia. This is a black leopard from South Africa, specifically.

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

What the hell is a black panther going in Georgia??? Who abandons such an animal in the wild? What happened to the poor thing?

Roan The Demon Kitty
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because it was never in Georgia (neither the state or country). this image has been doing the rounds for years now, it's actually a photo taken in South Africa of a melanistic leopard that lives in captivity. It's name is/was Cole.

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

aaaaannnnd this is how I die! "Who's a good kitty kitty!"

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

In Georgia? These big cats are not found in Georgia, usually one bobcats. Someone pulling a fast one over on us?

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

There have been sightings of them in the mountains up north (nearly to Murphy) for many years. I always thought it hilarious that folks would not accept the possibility of them (panthers) but will absolutely believe that Bigfoot roams the mountains.

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

It's funny that there are so many people who deny the existence of these big cats in the Georgia mountains, then one of these pics surfaces. This is beautiful.

Roan The Demon Kitty
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The photo was never taken in Georgia (state or country), it's from a black leopard living in captivity in south africa.

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Rainbreeze
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a black panther therian, so i'm really happy I saw this!

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

Georgia? Whether the state or the country, it seems an odd place for a black panther...

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

Why are these types of wildlife can be bought in the states, have you no laws about detaining such animals. This is horrible the poor beast will be shoot down. How stupid and selfish are these nitwits just to show off.

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

My daughter will feel redeemed by this. For years, she swore she saw a black panther in Georgia woods near our house. I believed her, but most people did not.

TheUndeadOfNight726
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So sleek and elegant, but a panther could probably bite your arm off in 10 seconds

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

Jag are North American. It's just a black jaguar. Panther always confuses people.

Skp2MyLou
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seeing these on trail cams is an exciting thing for our ecology. Panthers of any color were nearly extinct due to over hunting and loss of habitat. They are currently under federal protection, listed and endangered and threatened.

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

So, it turns out, North America (specifically Floridian)black panthers aren't like typical African or Asian panthers. Since they don't have a roar, they're not considered a big cat. Panther is a descriptive term. It's either a jaguar, leopard or a very rare black pigmented cougar/mountain lion. Anyway, it's a cool picture and now I know more about cats, which is always a good thing IMHO.

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#6

Not Sure Wtf That Thing Is But It Was Caught On A Trail Cam Riding A Boar

Not Sure Wtf That Thing Is But It Was Caught On A Trail Cam Riding A Boar

hunter_williams_ Report

Trail cams can help gather visual data about the animal population in a given area and track their habits. For instance, you can use the photos and the time they were taken to track what animals feed when, how large their social groups are, and how different species interact with each other. 

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For example, by tracking the local wildlife you might learn about some rather unusual but wholesome cross-species cooperation. Badgers and coyotes, both the top predators in their own respective food chains, actually hunt together for small animals in the American West. It’s the type of camaraderie that you’re likely to see in a Disney animation.

#9

My Uncle Has A Trail Cam At My Old Grandparents House Which Are Both Dead And The House Is Abandoned. The Camera Takes 3 Pics Every Time A Motion Is Detected.this Thing Only Appears In 1 Out Of 3 Of The Photos. No Idea. Not Saying Is A Ghost Cause I Don’t Really Believe Them

My Uncle Has A Trail Cam At My Old Grandparents House Which Are Both Dead And The House Is Abandoned. The Camera Takes 3 Pics Every Time A Motion Is Detected.this Thing Only Appears In 1 Out Of 3 Of The Photos. No Idea. Not Saying Is A Ghost Cause I Don’t Really Believe Them

LOvEisEvOLxanax Report

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As National Geographic points out, coyotes and badgers don’t just have a transactional relationship either. They’re friendly with each other: they’re actual partners and suddenly friendship doesn’t seem like a ‘human-only’ trait anymore. Many of us wouldn’t have known about this without nighttime footage taken by the Peninsula Open Space Trust, a nonprofit group.

#12

Fresno Nightcrawler - Caught On Yosemite Trailcam

Fresno Nightcrawler - Caught On Yosemite Trailcam

RocketMaN_28 Report

However, it’s not just animals that can activate trail cams. Any significant or sudden movement can trigger the motion sensors. That means that these cameras can pick up people walking around the forest in the middle of the night and spooky, blurred objects that you can’t quite make out. Naturally, our minds go wild when looking at these photos, with our imaginations filling in the gaps and weaving theories about what exactly happened out there.

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#13

Moved Into A New Development On An Old Farm And Set My Trail Cam Up

Moved Into A New Development On An Old Farm And Set My Trail Cam Up

Outrageous-Sector-67 Report

#14

What The Hell Is This.. Trail Cam Ghost?

What The Hell Is This.. Trail Cam Ghost?

Life-Hacking Report

Body heat can also activate these cams, when within a certain range of the detectors. This is a practical design decision. Trail cams don’t take photos or videos continuously because that would drain their batteries incredibly quickly. Some cams come with the ability to connect them to an external power source or even solar panels, so this gives them extra longevity.

#15

Taken On Friends Property Says He Feels Uneasy When He's Near This Spot

Taken On Friends Property Says He Feels Uneasy When He's Near This Spot

lamehoney Report

While some cameras store all the photos on internal memory cards, others can transmit all the data to you, wherever you might be. That means that, depending on the gear that you’ve bought, you could watch what’s happening in nature live, from the comfort of your office or home.

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#17

10.19.19 My Trail Camera Captured A Strange Image. The Previous Owner’s Ashes Were Spread On Our Property

10.19.19 My Trail Camera Captured A Strange Image. The Previous Owner’s Ashes Were Spread On Our Property

u/native_meraki Report

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

I scattered my husband's ashes in my garden. I sincerely hope he doesn't visit bc it would p**s me off !

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#18

Taken On My Elder Family Members Trail Camera In Ky

Taken On My Elder Family Members Trail Camera In Ky

Tempoffroad Report

It’s perfectly all right to feel creeped out or unnerved by some of these pics. However, most of the photos featured in this list (probably) have a logical explanation about what’s going on. Faults with the motion detectors, infrared tech, flash, and the memory cards themselves can mean that some photos get taken when there are only harmless shadows around or that the image gets corrupted somehow.

Meanwhile, dirt on the lens, weird angles, the wind, animals too small or too quick to be noticed, or even random people passing by can make the entire scene seem creepier than it actually is.

#19

This Was Taken By A Trail Cam On My Dads Property, Other Than Et What Is This?

This Was Taken By A Trail Cam On My Dads Property, Other Than Et What Is This?

yotesmygoats Report

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#20

Trail Cam Photo Captured After Lake Was Dug. Ghost Hunter Type Team Called Them Tree People

Trail Cam Photo Captured After Lake Was Dug. Ghost Hunter Type Team Called Them Tree People

adrn916 Report

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

Why are these so called paranormal footages so blurred while the animal ones are clear? 🤨

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Which of these photos spooked you the most, Pandas? Were there any shots that genuinely made your skin crawl and sent your imagination into overdrive? Have you ever set up a trail cam yourself? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic, so be sure to swing by the comment section and share your opinions.

#21

My Game/Trail Camera Captured This Under My House. Should I Pack My Things Up And Move Away?

My Game/Trail Camera Captured This Under My House. Should I Pack My Things Up And Move Away?

pajavasarakomuka Report

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

That's a squirrel .. jumping away from the camera .. it's back legs and fuzzy tail??

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#22

Uncle’s Trailcam, Landowner Stated A Tragic Loss Happened Here. Thoughts?

Uncle’s Trailcam, Landowner Stated A Tragic Loss Happened Here. Thoughts?

PhaseBlade01 Report

#23

Here Are Some Photos From The Trail Cam That Was Ripped Down In Reference To My Last Post For All You Crypto Zoologists To Debunk

Here Are Some Photos From The Trail Cam That Was Ripped Down In Reference To My Last Post For All You Crypto Zoologists To Debunk

rosssettti Report