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!
Zendaya Revealed She Regretted Wearing Her Viral Armor Look, See Why
A premiere that left everyone talking.
The press tour for Dune: Part Two has turned into a showcase of high-fashion ensembles, particularly from Zendaya, whose bold fashion choices consistently astonish onlookers.
During the movie’s premiere in London, Zendaya, at 27, surpassed expectations yet again. Dressed by her trusted stylist, Law Roach, Zendaya made a striking appearance in a vintage Mugler robot suit.
The vintage couture outfit, first seen at the Paris Fashion Week in 1995, is crafted from silver fabric designed to mimic robotic armor, featuring PVC-covered cutouts, including those on the breasts and the back.
Zendaya offered a bold glimpse of the design’s revealing back as she struck poses on the carpet. Her rendition of the outfit was styled remarkably close to the original, complete with metallic pumps. Yet, she opted out of wearing the headpiece, choosing instead a sleek bun with side bangs and enhancing the look with a statement jewel necklace.
Her outfit choice gained mixed reactions online.
Despite the outfit’s glam, Zendaya’s look received mixed reactions online with some people calling it ’ridiculous’.
- «I love her and all, but no, this is ridiculous,» one user wrote.
- «Celebrities can wear trash bags these days and get praised for it,» another added.
- «Dressing up like this, showing the body, and then asking for privacy and respect? How?» asked one person.
However, some fans praised the actress for her fashion choices: - «This is a 1995 Robot suit by Mugler, it’s a piece of art and fashion history, I think Zendaya did amazing wearing this,» one said.
- «I do not get why everyone is hating. Not all famous women have to wear those Cinderella dresses. This is awesome!» another wrote, and we couldn’t agree more!
Zendaya’s behind-the-scenes decision.
Zendaya recently shared that her famous red carpet moment nearly didn’t happen. In a recent video for Vogue’s Life in Looks series, the 26-year-old star shared the behind-the-scenes story of her daring fashion choice.
Despite her enthusiasm for the idea, Zendaya’s stylist, Law Roach, initially had reservations. Concerned that Zendaya might back out at the last minute, Roach questioned whether she was serious about wearing such a bold ensemble. Zendaya remained committed to the vision.
Securing the archival design was just the beginning of the journey. One of the original creators of the suit from the ’90s even attended the fitting, and Zendaya described the experience as unexpected —the armor fit her like a glove, solidifying her belief that this fashion moment was meant to be.
She recently revealed she regretted her outfit choice.
However, as the premiere approached, doubts crept in. Zendaya admitted to second-guessing her decision, fearing that the outfit might be a «bad idea.» These doubts intensified when she faced physical discomfort when wearing the metal armor.
Zendaya revealed that within minutes of putting on the bodysuit, she began to feel lightheaded. The metal material quickly absorbed and trapped heat, causing discomfort exacerbated by the complete bodysuit and barrier between her skin and the metal.
Yet, the metal bodysuit proved to be too uncomfortable to endure for an extended period. Zendaya later changed into a more conventional yet equally stunning black cowl neck Mugler gown, adorned with vintage Bulgari earrings and an emerald ring.
Actually, in 2019 Zendaya tried a Cinderella dress too. Check out this article to decide which style suits her more.
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