The animal world is full of surprises, with some creatures being more eye-catching than others because of their strange looks or unusual nature.
When I first saw a picture of this weird “penis snake,” I thought it was a joke. But, to my surprise, it turned out to be a real animal. So, let’s dive into the story behind the viral image that has left thousands of people in shock.
Throughout history, anything shaped like a phallus has grabbed attention and sparked curiosity. A few years ago, images of a strange-looking creature started making the rounds online, leaving many people scratching their heads in disbelief.
With its unique appearance, this mysterious animal quickly earned nicknames like the “penis snake,” “blind snake,” or the “man-aconda.”
But no, it’s not what you think.
Even though it looks a lot like a snake, this creature is actually called *Atretochoana eiselti*. It’s not a snake at all, but an amphibian, more closely related to a salamander. It’s also the largest known lungless tetrapod, which means it breathes through its skin instead of lungs.
This rare animal lives in the waters of the Amazon in Brazil and was hard to find for a long time. It was first discovered by Sir Graham Hales during an expedition with Sir Brian Doll in the late 1800s.
However, it wasn’t officially described until 1968. After more research, scientists reclassified it in 1996, giving it its own unique genus, *Atretochoana*.
In 2011, this species was rediscovered in the Amazon region. It lives only in the Amazon River and its largest tributary, the Madeira River in Brazil. The “penis snake” has only been found in this area and nowhere else in the world.
The viral pictures that blew up the internet a few years ago actually came from 2011. That’s when a whole family of these phallic-shaped creatures was found at the bottom of the Madeira River in Brazil. They were discovered when the river was drained during work on a hydroelectric dam.
Julian Tupan, a biologist working with the Santo Antonio Energy company on the dam, explained that not much is known about these lungless, limbless amphibians.
“Out of the six we collected, one died, three were released back into the wild, and two were kept for study,” he told *Estadao*, according to the U.K.’s *The Sun*.
Tupan pointed out that these “snakes” aren’t dangerous and are unlikely to show any aggressive behavior.
“Even though they look like snakes, they’re not reptiles; they’re more closely related to salamanders and frogs. We think the animal breathes through its skin and probably eats small fish and worms, but that hasn’t been proven yet.
“The Amazon is full of surprises when it comes to reptiles and amphibians. There’s still a lot more to discover.”
According to a paper published in the Brazilian scientific journal *Boletim do Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi: Ciências Naturais*, one of these creatures found in the riverbed was photographed extensively. Some of the animals were released back into the Madeira River, while others were sent to the Emilio Goeldi Paraense Museum in Belem, Brazil.
The most popular photo, which Julian Tupan shared on Instagram, shows an adult female *A. eiselti* that’s just under 40 inches long.
Even though these creatures are fascinating, there’s still a lot we don’t know about them. One mystery that puzzles researchers is their diet. Scientists think these phallic-shaped animals might eat small fish, worms, and other aquatic invertebrates, but more research is needed to confirm this.
Another mystery about these creatures is how they breathe, as scientists haven’t confirmed the method yet. When the six specimens were discovered in 2011, it made things even more puzzling. What’s especially interesting is where they were found— in cold, fast-flowing water with limited oxygen. Since warmer water holds less oxygen, their ability to live without lungs is even more remarkable.
Based on these findings, scientists believe this species might be widespread across the Brazilian Amazon and could even extend into Bolivia.
Nature constantly surprises us with its endless wonders. From the deepest oceans to the tallest mountains, the natural world is full of amazing things waiting to be discovered.
Share this incredible story on Facebook with your friends and family to spark their curiosity and get them talking about the wonders of nature!
Bus driver found dogs freezing in thunderstorm, breaks rules and puts them on bus
Many people are afraid of cold weather and what it brings, let alone animals. Some animals live a beautiful life. They have owners, a home, food and everything they need. On the other hand, there are those animals that suffer. They spend every day fighting for survival. In addition to being able to remain traumatized after terrible storms and thunderstorms, it can also physically affect them.
Fortunately for these dogs, the bus driver has a big heart. In Buenos Aires, this story happened. The bus driver, regardless of the rules that were set for him, opened the door and let the dogs inside. He did that so they would not freeze. He gave them something they never had, security and warmth.
This event, very touching for all of us, happened when the bus driver took pity on two wet dogs, which were shaking abnormally due to bad weather. Although he subconsciously had all the rules related to his job, including that the city does not allow dogs and other animals to be brought into their transports, the bus driver decided to take this step.
He consciously risked his job and everything he has, to help the dogs feel nice and happy at least for a moment. Man thinks in a way that it is worth losing a job for two living beings. It cannot be compared in any way.
As is obvious, the passengers noticed all this and recorded it on their mobile phones. Pictures and footage were quickly shared on social media, and other people were asked to find homes for these dogs, if they could. Many people witnessed the kindness and kindness of the man who drove the bus, so he has a clear conscience.
Due to the fact that the pictures and footage were shared incredibly fast, so did the gentlemen of this gentleman. A statement from the city confirming that they do not want animals in public transport has been confirmed. But this time they made an exception and did not punish the man for his kindness.
A work not seen every day. Given that you, too, have now witnessed this amazing endeavor of bus drivers, we would be glad if you would send this to all dog lovers you know.
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