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.”
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.
Wikipedia Commons / Tobias von AnhaltAnother 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!
Phil Donahue, incredible moderator, dead at 88
Phil Donahue, the incredible daytime moderator, is dead. He was 88.
Donahue passed on “calmly” at his home Sunday, August 18, following a long disease. He was encircled by his significant other of 44 years, Marlo Thomas, as well as “his sister, his youngsters, grandkids and his darling brilliant retriever, Charlie,” as indicated by a proclamation imparted to The present time.
Brought into the world in 1935, Donahue started his vocation in media in the last part of the 1950s. In the wake of filling in as a neighborhood correspondent in his local Ohio, Donahue sent off his eponymous television show. It at first circulated on a neighborhood CBS subsidiary prior to changing to a nearby NBC partner in Dayton, Ohio in 1967. After three years it was gotten for partnership and circulated around the country.
His television show was known for covering disputable subjects from youngster maltreatment in the Catholic Church to the previous great wizard of the Knights of the KKK.
The Phil Donahue Show, later different to Donahue, made ready for future daytime syndicated programs.
Donahue’s show was quick to permit crowd individuals to address visitors.
“At some point, I just went out in the crowd, and it’s reasonable there would be no Donahue show on the off chance that I hadn’t some way or another coincidentally gotten the crowd,” Donahue told WGN in a meeting.
As well as making ready for other daytime has, for example, Oprah Winfrey and Sally Jesse Raphael, Donahue won 20 Emmy Grants and most as of late was granted the Official Decoration of Opportunity by President Biden.
Donahue’s family mentioned in lieu of blossoms gifts be made to St. Jude Kids’ Exploration Medical clinic or the Phil Donahue/Notre Woman Grant Asset.
Phil Donahue, we will miss you. Much thanks to you for every one of your commitments to daytime TV. May you find happiness in the hereafter.
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