Life in the Animal World Can Get Weird

Nature is fantastic and life-affirming. It can also be extremely grotesque and disturbing at times.

A Giant Salamander Out of Water

Normally, the giant salamander steers clear of daytime activities and people.

The Japanese giant salamander is the second largest salamander in the world. Their preferred habitat is in rivers, where they can move a little more gracefully underwater. They are an impressive two meters (6.5 feet) in length.

This salamander was found enjoying the sun during a slow-paced stroll. However, he scared some folks and required a police escort back to his home in the Kamogawa River.

A Hermit Crab With a Creepy Doll Head Shell

This is exactly what nightmares are made of.

Crabs have soft abdomens which make them vulnerable to predators. So, in order to protect themselves, they search for a surrogate shell if they lose their own.

This hermit crab was spotted on a remote Pacific island hiding in a severed doll’s head. The crab was just in the process of hanging up its ‘Home Sweet Home’ sign.

Even though it is expected to see a crab following its natural survival instinct, it’s a little unsettling to see the claw/head combo on display here.