The mata mata is a peculiar sedentary turtle with a long leaf-like head that hardly moves, snorkels for air, and vacuums up food. Mata mata turtles are endemic to freshwater streams in South America, primarily found within the Amazon and Orinoco River Basins. This strange, bony reptile is the only remaining species of its genus. Its most peculiar characteristic is a … [Read more...] about Meet the Mata Mata, the Weirdest Turtle in the World
This Fungus is Known As ‘Dead Man’s Fingers,’ And It Is Quite Disturbing
Regan Daniels of North Carolina posted a couple photos of a fungus that resembled a dead man's toes to the Facebook group Mushroomcore, and it's simple to understand why. Look at that! Take a closer look… Naturally, a few people immediately cried ‘fake’, but Daniels reassured people it wasn’t the case. And, well, looking at the shrooms from another angle that … [Read more...] about This Fungus is Known As ‘Dead Man’s Fingers,’ And It Is Quite Disturbing
The French Have Been Building Castle Using Medieval Techniques For 20 Years, And The Result Is Incredible
If you're interested in medieval life, you don't need a time machine to travel back in time. Guedelon Fortress in Burgundy, France, is a one-of-a-kind initiative in which volunteers and researchers are constructing an original 13th century castle using exclusively medieval techniques and materials. Michel Guyot and Maryline Martin began work on the Guedelon Castle project in … [Read more...] about The French Have Been Building Castle Using Medieval Techniques For 20 Years, And The Result Is Incredible
In Pictures: 50 Years of Wildlife Photographer of the Year
The Natural History Museum's new book, issued on Wednesday, commemorates five decades of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, which celebrates the art of wildlife photography. Started in the 1960s, the 160 prize-winning and commended photographs span 50 years of varying times, styles, and specialisms, showing some of the most famous images of wildlife on the … [Read more...] about In Pictures: 50 Years of Wildlife Photographer of the Year
This Massive Dust Storm Was Captured by a Fleeing News Helicopter
Photographer Jerry Ferguson was flying in a news helicopter this week to photograph periodic monsoon weather in Phoenix, Arizona, when a gigantic dust cloud appeared on the horizon. Ferguson managed to catch this image of the dust wall blowing across the field as they flew away to outrun it. Ferguson, who has been shooting professionally for 20+ years and from helicopters … [Read more...] about This Massive Dust Storm Was Captured by a Fleeing News Helicopter