Nature’s Red Flags You Shouldn’t Ignore

Bright Side

Nature is beautiful… but it can also be dangerously deceptive. In this video, we’re revealing the biggest natural warning signs you should never ignore — because sometimes, your survival depends on it.  From animal behavior to strange weather patterns and hidden environmental clues, these red flags could mean danger is closer than you think.  👀 If you ever see these signs in the wild — don’t hesitate. RUN.  🎥 Watch now and stay one step ahead of what nature might throw your way!  Animation is created by Bright Side.  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Music from TheSoul Sound: https://thesoul-sound.com/   Check our Bright Side podcast on Spotify and leave a positive review! https://open.spotify.com/show/0hUkPxD34jRLrMrJux4VxV  Subscribe to Bright Side: https://goo.gl/rQTJZz  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Our Social Media:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brightplanet/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brightside.official  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brightside.official?lang=en   Stock materials (photos, footages and other):  https://www.depositphotos.com  https://www.shutterstock.com  https://www.eastnews.ru  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  For more videos and articles visit: http://www.brightside.me  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  This video is made for entertainment purposes. We do not make any warranties about the completeness, safety and reliability. Any action you take upon the information in this video is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any damages or losses. It is the viewer's responsibility to use judgement, care and precaution if you plan to replicate.

Transcript

00:00:00One day, the hand of Ross McPherson, a teenager from Scotland, suddenly turned red and started

00:00:07hurting badly. Soon, a painful blister appeared. It was the size of an orange. This made it hard

00:00:13for Ross to even dress himself. The discomfort was unbearable, and he needed doctor's help to

00:00:19get rid of this nightmare. Turned out, he accidentally brushed his hand against the

00:00:24harmless-looking plant while riding his bike near his home. All this nightmare was caused by one

00:00:31very dangerous plant, the giant hogweed. The giant hogweed is a group of toxic lookalike plants that

00:00:39are known as Britain's most dangerous plant. Surprisingly, this plant is a member of the

00:00:46carrot family. It was originally hanging out in the Caucasus. People really liked it for its

00:00:52impressive height of over 16 feet and pleasant appearance. They started planting it in gardens,

00:00:57and then suddenly, it turned out that the plant was highly toxic. By the 80s, it was officially

00:01:04banned from gardens in England. Giant hogweed hangs out near rivers and canals. Recently,

00:01:10it started popping up in gardens and parks, too. People have spotted it all over the UK.

00:01:16This plant got even more attention during the recent years when everyone started spending more time

00:01:21in their gardens. It looks like a taller, more dangerous cousin of cow parsley or hemlock.

00:01:29It also has long stems and a bunch of white leaves, but its stem is pretty wide with a big,

00:01:35white, umbrella-shaped flower on top. To see the difference, watch out for its leaves.

00:01:41They look sharp and divided, around 6 feet in width. The stems are thick and bristly with stiff

00:01:47white hairs and hollow ridges. You might notice purple blotches on the stems, like hemlock,

00:01:53but this plant grows much taller and has fewer fern leaves. Its flower heads can stretch up to 2 feet.

00:02:00This plant's sap can really hurt you. It contains a chemical called furacumarin, which makes your skin

00:02:06super sensitive to sunlight. It can also cause a long-term problem called sensitization, which means

00:02:13that even years later, your skin can still react badly to sunlight. So if you get it on you and you

00:02:19go out in the sun, you'll end up with severe burns that blister and take forever to heal. People are often

00:02:26left with scars that stick around for life. And it's not just skin burns you have to worry about. If the sap gets in

00:02:32your eyes, it could even make you go blind. You should be especially careful in summer when it's most active.

00:02:39Remember that you can get affected by it even if you wear clothes or shoes. So just try to stay away

00:02:45from anything suspicious looking. Symptoms can include a rash, itching, and painful blisters. If you

00:02:53realize that you accidentally got hurt by this plant, go to the doctor immediately, especially if you see

00:02:59the blisters. First aid includes washing the area with soap and water and covering it up.

00:03:07There are other very toxic plants that could be hiding in your garden or local area looking harmless

00:03:13and pretty. Don't be tricked by foxglove's beauty. This plant contains digitoxin, which is used in medicine

00:03:21to stimulate the heart. All parts of the foxglove plant are toxic. If you eat the leaves, you could end up

00:03:28with a stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, or worse. In serious cases, it can even mess up with your

00:03:33vision and cause problems with your heart and kidneys. Nightshade is another one of the most

00:03:39poisonous plants. Don't eat it! Just a couple of its berries contain tropane alkaloids, which can be fatal

00:03:45to a person. This plant is a member of the tomato family. It can be found in woodlands, although it's not

00:03:52as common as it used to be. Its family is quite extensive, including tomatoes, potatoes, chilies,

00:03:59aubergines, peppers, and henbane. Despite its scary nature, we can extract an antidote for nerve gas from

00:04:07this plant. So while it's dangerous, it also holds a unique quality with potential medicinal uses.

00:04:14And finally, there's the hemlock water dropwort, also known as poison parsnip. It's a very common

00:04:21plant around rivers and lakes. As you can guess from the name, it's related to hemlock,

00:04:26another toxic plant. Hemlock is a very dangerous plant on its own. It can be fatal if eaten,

00:04:33and it contains five different alkaloids that can lead to severe paralysis of the nervous system.

00:04:39What's even worse is that it's often found in the wild around pretty populated areas. These two plants,

00:04:46however, live in different places and have different toxins. Every part of the hemlock water dropwort,

00:04:52including its tubers, stems, and leaves, contains a powerful poison called enanthotoxin. This poison

00:04:59targets the central nervous system and can cause serious convulsions. So both of these plants are

00:05:06not to be messed with. These are just relatively toxic plants, but there are also those that are

00:05:12considered the most dangerous ones in the world. Aconite, also known as monk's hood or devil's helmet,

00:05:21is one of Europe's most poisonous. Just touching it can be harmful because of its potent neurotoxin.

00:05:27Manchineal tree is found in both Americas. This tree's sap can burn your skin. Its leaves and fruit are

00:05:34lethal. Castor bean is native to Africa. This shrub's seeds contain ricin, a toxin that's said to be

00:05:436,000 times more poisonous than cyanide. But it also has an upside. Castor oil can be extracted from these

00:05:51seeds. The seeds of Jaquerody bean are used in jewelry, but they contain a toxin called abrid,

00:05:58which is extremely poisonous. So be careful with these accessories. Oleander is a common ornamental plant.

00:06:07However, it contains toxins that make it poisonous. While poisonings are common, luckily, the plant is

00:06:13so bitter that no one wants to eat it in large quantities. So fatal cases are rare. Gimpy Gimpy is a

00:06:21plant from Australasia, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The plant has a funny name, but its stinging hairs cause

00:06:29extreme discomfort lasting for months or even years. And finally, the potato plant. Though not as toxic as

00:06:37others, can be harmful if eaten. The green parts of the potato plant contain toxins like solanine and

00:06:44chaconine. Getting rid of toxic plants around your garden is crucial, even though it's not legally

00:06:52required. Especially because they could spread in the wild and you could get in trouble with the law

00:06:58for that. Here's what you can do to remove them safely. First, wear protective gear like gloves and

00:07:05face masks. Cover your skin completely and make sure that nothing can touch it. Make sure to dispose of the

00:07:11gear later or wash it immediately, very carefully. Be careful not to let toxic plants flower. Try to

00:07:19dispose of them when they're small and pull them out when the soil is wet. For bigger plants, you might

00:07:25need to loosen the roots with a fork. It's best to leave this to professionals if it's a large area.

00:07:31Finally, make sure to dispose of the plant carefully. Don't just throw it anywhere as it can spread and

00:07:37cause more problems. And stay on your guard in the future as it can produce a lot of seeds that stick

00:07:44around for a long time. There's no need to panic if you see them in your garden. Just be careful and

00:07:51take action if you find it on your property. If you see them in your area, call the professionals to remove

00:07:56them. Luckily, fatal cases are very rare and even if you accidentally touch the plant, you should be fine if

00:08:05you go to the doctor as soon as possible. But why are some plants so dangerous? It's all about chemistry

00:08:12and how plants have evolved over time. Plants develop toxins to protect themselves from being eaten by

00:08:19animals. If a plant is slightly more toxic than its neighbors, it has a better chance of surviving because

00:08:25animals will avoid it. Interestingly, most of the plants became dangerous to scare away large ancient

00:08:31animals like woolly mammoths or aurochs, not humans. Because of that, these toxins often aren't fatal.

00:08:39The plants only wanted to make those who ate it feel unwell so animals would stop eating the plant.

00:08:45Now, these large animals are extinct and nobody touches these guys. Unfortunately,

00:08:51they've already evolved to stay paranoid, so all we can do is stay as far away from them as possible.

00:09:03Hollywood studios and game developers hire professional artists to create fantastic monsters

00:09:09and creatures from other planets. The things they paint on computers are stunning and frightening,

00:09:15but all these works pale compared to the art of the most powerful artist in the world.

00:09:20And this artist is nature. We're not talking about the beauty of animals and fish,

00:09:27but about animals whose existence is hard to believe. It seems they are literally guests from

00:09:33another planet here. One of these guests is the Brazilian treehopper. What you see now is a real

00:09:40creature living in the forests of Brazil. This insect belongs to the family of cicadas, some of the most

00:09:46mysterious creatures on Earth. But this species stands out strongly even among them. The size of a

00:09:53pea, the Brazilian treehopper has grown futuristic creepy balls on its back, similar to helicopter blades.

00:10:00Is that an antenna? Or something for fighting with enemies? Scientists still don't know. There are only

00:10:07hypothetical versions. According to one of them, the insect uses this thing to demonstrate its genetic

00:10:14strength in front of females. Peacocks use their beautiful tails similarly. In addition to scaring off

00:10:21predators, they show off their plumage and propose their candidacy for starting a family. This theory was

00:10:27quickly refuted because not only males, but also females of the Brazilian treehopper have this thing.

00:10:33Maybe these balls are like a false target. Some predator sees them and attacks them,

00:10:40and at that moment, the insect unhooks this thing and runs away. However, researchers have never seen

00:10:46such actions while observing the treehopper. Another theory says that this thing helps the cicada pretend

00:10:52to be a cordyceps fungus. Remember the parasites that invade an ant's body, turn it into a zombie,

00:10:59and then a huge mushroom sprouts from out of their bodies? Some believe the Brazilian treehopper imitates

00:11:05this fungus so that enemies are afraid to attack it. Yes, animals in the forest also know what can be

00:11:13touched and what is better off not to mess with. Or this hat may send signals to outer space or another

00:11:20planet, reporting information about Earth. Another fantastic feature of the Brazilian treehopper

00:11:27is its way of communicating. These insects talk to each other through vibrations. When one treehopper

00:11:33sits on a tree and feeds on juicy leaves, it can send vibrating signals along the trunk and,

00:11:39thus, invite its friends to have a snack. Or it uses this ability to warn about predators.

00:11:47In general, cicadas are pretty strange creatures. Those species that look like ordinary insects

00:11:53are still a mystery to all scientists. When cicadas hatch from eggs, they hide underground,

00:11:59feeding on liquid from the roots of trees and plants while growing. They build underground tunnels and

00:12:05hang out there for 13 or 17 years. And then, after molting, they come out all at the same time,

00:12:14several hundred or even thousands of insects at once. They fly into the air in a huge swarm,

00:12:20chirping loudly and terrifying all the animals around. People living nearby claim that the clicks

00:12:26of cicadas prevent them from sleeping. But why do cicadas come out only once every 13 to 17 years?

00:12:34What are they doing underground all this time? Scientists have no idea. Their sudden appearance

00:12:40may be associated with predatory animals. Cicadas are defenseless and nutritious creatures.

00:12:47Foxes and owls like to eat them. If cicadas got out of the ground once a year,

00:12:52predators would get used to it and soon destroy these creatures.

00:12:57Therefore, cicadas wait for a long enough time so that their enemies don't know when they will appear.

00:13:03In addition, insects choose the moment to show up when the populations of their enemies are at their lowest.

00:13:09So, imagine a strawberry of white color from which 20 long tentacles spread out.

00:13:23It's as if a Lovecraft monster has opened a portal to our dimension inside a strawberry and is now

00:13:28trying to break out. The good news is that you are unlikely to see this monster near humans.

00:13:35The Antarctic strawberry feather lives in the icy depths of the Antarctic Ocean.

00:13:40These creatures are one of four types of crinoids,

00:13:43geometrically symmetrical animals that attach themselves to the seabed like a plant stem.

00:13:49Then, when they reach adulthood, they unhook themselves and set sail on the ocean.

00:13:54They use their tentacles to make beautiful rhythmic movements while swimming.

00:13:58And they also hung plankton using their hands. Each tentacle of the strawberry is covered with

00:14:05thousands of tiny slimy threads that capture prey like a spiderweb.

00:14:10In addition to white species, scientists have observed purple and even dark red creatures.

00:14:16Looking at them, you start to suspect that many artists have stolen the image of crinoids

00:14:21to create monsters in their sci-fi movies and video games.

00:14:26Now, what do you think is the longest animal on the planet?

00:14:30This is not a giraffe or even some giant anaconda from the Amazon jungle.

00:14:35See this glowing long whip floating in the ocean? This is it.

00:14:39This creature is called a siphonophore. Its length can reach up to 130 feet,

00:14:45more than the size of a blue whale, the largest mammal on the planet.

00:14:49But if you look closer, you'll see it's not some sea snake.

00:14:53It resembles a long jellyfish with a transparent body and a light bulb head.

00:14:59Along its entire length, creepy threads stretch from the siphonophore.

00:15:04It looks like a mutant centipede from the depth of the sea.

00:15:07In any case, don't approach it. Its hairs are venomous.

00:15:11It uses them to fight off enemies and to capture prey.

00:15:14This slug is actually a species of jawless fish. You may have seen this creature in social networks

00:15:32when people put it on their hands. When it senses danger, it spits out mucus resembling tree roots

00:15:38or a nervous system. The goo gets into the eyes and gills of enemies and stops them while the

00:15:44hagfish swims away. These animals are also among the most ancient creatures on the planet.

00:15:51They appeared about 500 million years ago and have been leading a scavenger lifestyle ever since.

00:15:58Even if you look at this tree for a few minutes, you may not understand what is wrong with it.

00:16:04But one of the branches is a live great potu bird that has mastered the skill of disguise better

00:16:10than anyone. Not only does its plumage allow it to merge with the environment,

00:16:15but it's also very patient and enduring. The great potu can stand motionless for hours,

00:16:22waiting for its prey. It even closes its eyes to be more inconspicuous. But that doesn't mean it

00:16:28doesn't see you. The bird has tiny holes under the eyelids that allow it to closely monitor the

00:16:35situation around it. Scientists spend millions of dollars to create expensive equipment to study

00:16:42seismological activity. But this mole that lives in swamps can detect seismic vibrations thanks to its

00:16:49strange nose. The star-nosed mole has more than 20,000 sensory receptors on its star that can also catch

00:16:57electrical signals emitted by its prey. It's one of those rare animals that can smell underwater.

00:17:04It releases tiny bubbles from its nose, then pulls them back in to understand the smell.

00:17:11And it's also a fast eater that spends less than a quarter of a second to swallow food.

00:17:19Piranhas look creepy with their jaws and razor-sharp teeth. But how about a fish that has

00:17:24rectangular human-like teeth? Meet the potu fish, and it seems it has a false jaw.

00:17:30These creepy creatures eat plants and meat, but their favorite dish is fruits and nuts. Evolution

00:17:37has created such a shape of teeth so that potu can grind fruits that fall from the trees growing

00:17:43along the Amazon streams. Many people confuse these creatures with piranhas and try to stay away from

00:17:49them. And this is the right decision, because these rectangular teeth can cause severe damage to

00:17:55non-food items, like you and me, too.

00:18:02Texas is home to some of the oddest, creepiest, and most unusual animals you've ever heard of.

00:18:08It might come as a surprise, but this state is full of creatures you'll hardly see in other places.

00:18:13So, let's have a look at the most amazing ones.

00:18:20This truly beautiful bright blue creature is called the Blue Sea Dragon.

00:18:25Despite such an imposing name, the critter is actually tiny. Usually no bigger than a grape.

00:18:32You may find it on the beach or floating beside you in the water.

00:18:35Now, you need to remember one thing. However pretty this little slug may look,

00:18:41never ever touch it. One tourist spotted a few of these pretty dragons on the shore of

00:18:47Mustang Island. He scooped one of the creatures up. He wanted to film it. Luckily, he put it back

00:18:54into the water before it could sting him. Otherwise, it would have ended badly since the Blue Sea Dragon

00:19:00is venomous. Despite their tiny size, their sting can pack a punch. All because of their diet.

00:19:07Their favorite dish is the Portuguese Manowar, a jellyfish that has enough venom to paralyze small

00:19:14fish and crustaceans. The Blue Dragons first use mucus to neutralize the jellyfish's infamous stinging

00:19:21cells. And then, they steal these cells from the Manowar's tentacles and store and concentrate them

00:19:27within their own tissues. Then, they release these stinging cells on contact, which makes their own sting

00:19:34more powerful. Even worse than that of the Manowar itself. These awesome creatures are also extremely

00:19:42sneaky. Even though their appearance is bright, to say the least, they're well-known masters of disguise.

00:19:48You see that vibrant blue coloring is actually on their bellies. And when they float on their backs,

00:19:54they simply blend with the water. As for their backs, they're great to camouflage these animals on the

00:19:59sea floor. Now, how about a funny fact? A group of tiny dragons floating together is called a Blue

00:20:07Fleet. And another fact, Blue Dragons normally lay a string of around 16 eggs. And it takes them three

00:20:15days or so to hatch into larvae. Blue Sea Dragons rarely make it to the shore. They're soft-bodied,

00:20:22so when the animals finally get through the surf zone and are deposited on the shore,

00:20:27they're already broken apart. And still, watch out! Even in this case, the venom in their bodies

00:20:33doesn't dissipate. But of course, Blue Sea Dragons aren't the only unusual animals inhabiting Texas.

00:20:41Have a look at this nightmarish creature. Poisonous, slimy, and kinda immortal. Meet the Hammerhead Worm.

00:20:49The worst thing? It might be lurking in your garden while you're watching this video.

00:20:56You can easily recognize this worm by its creepy, spade-shaped head. It doesn't look like any other

00:21:02invertebrate you've ever seen. Or any other creature, that is. At first, it was only found in East Texas.

00:21:09But later, researchers spotted these spine-chilling creatures in North, Central, and South Texas.

00:21:16Basically everywhere but the arid areas of West Texas. One of the most terrifying things about

00:21:24this worm might be its length. This creature can grow as long as one foot. Luckily, such giants

00:21:31aren't very common. Most hammerhead worms only reach six inches in length. You can come across two

00:21:37species of these worms in Texas, and both of them will have a dark stripe down the middle.

00:21:43The larger of these two species munches on earthworms, which is actually a big problem.

00:21:49You might know that earthworms play an important role in keeping the soil rich in minerals and overall

00:21:55healthy. If earthworms disappear, plants in such areas won't be getting the nutrients they need.

00:22:01Even for humans and pets, meeting a hammerhead worm isn't the most pleasant experience either.

00:22:09Hammerheads are the only terrestrial invertebrates that secrete a very dangerous neurotoxin,

00:22:15the same as pufferfish produce. Thanks to the sheer size of the human body,

00:22:20touching a hammerhead worm won't hurt you too much, but it may still cause your hand to start tingling,

00:22:25or even go numb. It's much more dangerous for pets. There have been cases when dogs ate hammerheads,

00:22:32which left them feeling sick for the whole day. Interestingly, these worms are native to Southeast

00:22:39Asia. But they must have mastered the art of hitchhiking, since in the early 1900s they were

00:22:45already found in the US. Keep in mind that if you want to get rid of a hammerhead worm,

00:22:53which is the best course of action, the worst thing you can do is chop it with a shovel.

00:22:58The thing is, flatworms reproduce by ripping themselves in half. So by cutting it,

00:23:03you actually help the populations of the worms, turning one into two. That's the reason why

00:23:09hammerheads are sometimes described as immortal, which is a bit of a stretch since these creatures

00:23:14can't survive in vinegar or salt. Now even though you're safe from the hammerhead worm in West Texas,

00:23:22it doesn't mean you can't come across another dangerous animal, such as the land lobster from

00:23:28hell. These creatures are also known as vinegar runes, and they're not real crustaceans. They're

00:23:35arachnids! Huh? Who would have guessed? Anyway, these eight-legged critters have a really nasty bite,

00:23:42but it's not the worst thing about them. Land lobsters, brace yourself, spray vinegar-like 85%

00:23:50acid from their tails. Mostly they do it to protect themselves, but it still sounds like an unfriendly

00:23:56thing to do, right? A land lobster can also pinch a finger that's gotten too close with its heavy mouth

00:24:03parts. At the base of their abdomens, vinegar runes have long whip-like tails. That's why these arachnids are

00:24:11often called whip scorpions, even though they're neither related to scorpions nor have stingers.

00:24:18Summer rains lure these arachnids out of their burrows in search of food and love. Luckily,

00:24:24experts claim that land lobsters aren't poisonous to humans, but they're very likely to leave a mark

00:24:29with their large pinchers, which they use to capture insects. Vinegar runes can be considered useful

00:24:36since they eat millipedes, crickets, scorpions, and cockroaches. They hunt by sensing the vibrations of

00:24:43their prey with those long front legs of theirs. Since land lobsters prefer to come out after dark,

00:24:50you aren't likely to see one in the daylight. But if you stumble upon one, check it out.

00:24:56If it's a female, it may be carrying her hatchlings on her back.

00:25:00Now, imagine it's the middle of spring and you're walking among blooming flowers and greenery.

00:25:08Suddenly, you spot something extremely bizarre on the ground. The animal looks cute, fluffy,

00:25:15and soft-looking. The desire to touch it is irresistible. Watch out! The sting of the hairy

00:25:22caterpillar can pack a serious punch. This one is called the pus moth caterpillar, or asp.

00:25:28There are several stinging caterpillar species in Texas. The buck moth caterpillar, spiny oak slug

00:25:35caterpillar, saddleback caterpillar, and eo moth caterpillar. And touching any of them can lead to

00:25:43unpleasant consequences. If you had touched that pretty hairy thing in the park, you'd most likely

00:25:48start feeling a burning sensation and develop an itchy rash. In the worst case scenario, you'd even have to

00:25:55go to the emergency room. The main problem is that people react very differently to caterpillar toxins.

00:26:03Some may develop more severe reactions than others. Plus, how bad the consequences are also depends on

00:26:10the thickness of the skin in the affected area. In most cases, the unpleasant sensation and rash go away in

00:26:17a few hours or sometimes days. On the bright side, such caterpillars later turn into moths and butterflies

00:26:24that help pollinate flowers and trees. Getting rid of these critters means doing a massive disservice to

00:26:30the area where you live. Specialists are sure that coming across a stinging caterpillar won't lead to

00:26:36anything bad if you keep in mind the rule of thumb. If a caterpillar looks fuzzy, don't touch it. And the

00:26:44best solution to dealing with such creatures is educating people on what such caterpillars are,

00:26:50what they look like, and why it's dangerous to touch them with unprotected hands.

00:26:55Something interesting has recently happened in South Dakota. It was all over the internet. So,

00:27:03perhaps you already know about it. In July of 2022, the sky in this state suddenly turned green. So,

00:27:11what happened there? Was it caused by a human or by nature? Let's find out.

00:27:17Tuesday, July 5th, 2022. Shortly after a heavy storm, the sky over South Dakota in the US was

00:27:26still overcast. Locals finally went outside and saw that the sky had an intense dark green hue,

00:27:33and they'd never seen anything like that before. People said that it looked like something straight

00:27:38up from science fiction, or even a horror movie. Unsurprisingly, South Dakotans immediately started

00:27:46spreading the news all over social media. People shared their beautiful, yet very eerie,

00:27:52pictures on Twitter. They showed the sky over the city of Sioux Falls and a few other towns.

00:27:59Even though it may look like something supernatural, in reality, this is not a terrifying phenomenon at

00:28:05all. It's a simple play of the light and the atmosphere. Something like this happens quite

00:28:11rarely, and usually means that really bad weather is approaching. And that's also true to what

00:28:18happened in South Dakota. Just before people started sharing photos, a thunderstorm swept

00:28:23through the town of Sioux Falls. This was confirmed by the US Weather Service. This hurricane was terrible.

00:28:30The wind speed was about 100 miles per hour. According to the Buford Scale on Wind Speeds,

00:28:35this is the fastest and most destructive storm. There are only 12 numbers on this scale, and the

00:28:41maximum wind strength starts at 73 miles per hour. But why isn't this all over the news then? Well,

00:28:49because it's kind of a usual thing for the residents. Thunderstorms occur very often in the United States,

00:28:57especially in the warmer months. And 1 out of 10 such thunderstorms can become something serious,

00:29:03like a tornado. This one wasn't an exception. It was the so-called Doraco storm.

00:29:12Doraco is very widespread and long-lived. It's actually a combination of a fast-moving group of

00:29:18severe thunderstorms and downpours. People often say that a Doraco is as strong as a tornado. Still, there's

00:29:26a difference between them. A tornado is a vortex, a rotating column of air. It's usually about 500

00:29:33feet in diameter. Although sometimes its width can reach up to 2.5 miles. I don't envy those who

00:29:40would stumble upon that. But the main point is that they rotate. The wind moves very fast in a circle,

00:29:47near some invisible center. A Doraco is a strong thunderstorm, or a system of strong thunderstorms,

00:29:55with straight-line winds. In other words, it doesn't spin. Instead, the Doraco chooses a point

00:30:03somewhere and simply runs to it, like a very motivated marathon runner.

00:30:10If we compare a Doraco to an ordinary tornado, the latter has six levels of strength, from 40 to 380

00:30:17miles per hour. So, a Doraco is kind of like a small, average-level 1 to 2 tornado. Usually,

00:30:25its speed is within the range of 73 to 113 miles per hour. And, in both cases, they can be accompanied

00:30:33by severe thunderstorms, lightning, and rain. But still, these are different things.

00:30:39A storm becomes a Doraco if the damaged trail left by it exceeds 240 miles, and if the wind speed is at

00:30:48least 58 miles per hour. It's quite difficult to predict. It can form even on a clear day,

00:30:56when meteorologists don't even anticipate any storms. And then, the winds appear suddenly. It's so

00:31:03surprising that they may even feel explosive. But the National Weather Service tries to warn people

00:31:09at least half an hour or an hour before this happens, so that residents have time to prepare and hide.

00:31:17It wasn't any different this time. The storm swept through almost all of South Dakota,

00:31:23as well as the states of Minnesota and Iowa. The consequences were quite serious. More than 30,000

00:31:29people were left without electricity. Fortunately, people were fine. That's because the locals are

00:31:37pretty used to Doracos. However, the green sky is something different. It became a very unusual

00:31:45sight for the locals. Everyone was wondering why it happened. Was it a bad sign or a normal weather

00:31:51phenomenon? Well, to be honest, scientists don't have an exact explanation. But, although

00:31:59there are only assumptions, they sound pretty convincing. A green sky is a very rare phenomenon.

00:32:07Most scientists think that this happens when a powerful storm approaches the area

00:32:12before sunset or sunrise. Then, the sky will turn green in this area.

00:32:19NBC meteorologist Bill Karens, who once faced a similar event himself, suggests that the green sky

00:32:26sky appeared because of the huge hail before the storm. First, let's talk about why the sky looks blue,

00:32:33or any other shade, depending on its mood. In short, the sun simultaneously carries all the rays of the

00:32:40color spectrum. It may seem white to us in total, but it actually has all the colors at the same time.

00:32:47However, these color waves all have different lengths. For example, blue rays are shorter

00:32:55than the other ones. They jump away from the air molecules better than the red waves, so they reach

00:33:02us faster. Because of this, on a regular clear day, the sky seems blue. At the same time, red and orange

00:33:11color waves are very long, so they're usually left behind. But when the sun goes below the horizon, or rises,

00:33:21the rays directions change, and these waves reach us better.

00:33:26It all means that even if the sunrises and sunsets seem red and orange to us, in fact, there are still

00:33:34blue and green waves among them. But they have to bounce off something to reach us faster, and become stronger

00:33:40than the red rays. Have you guessed what I'm getting at?

00:33:47This is where the water comes into play. Clouds are made up of water droplets. When they become

00:33:52large enough, but don't fall yet, for example, due to strong winds, they affect how the light behaves in

00:33:59the sky. Large heavy storms mostly consist of water and hail, and water reflects blue and green rays best of

00:34:08all. That's exactly the reason why the water in rivers and lakes seems bluish-green to us. Although

00:34:15in reality, it's transparent. And yeah, algae matter too. So, there are a couple of key factors why the sky

00:34:25may turn green. First off, the sun should be at the horizon level. Another factor is that while the storm

00:34:32clouds are approaching, they shouldn't cover the sky completely. There still must be a little room for

00:34:38the sun rays. Then, barely noticeable blue rays jump up to storm clouds. They're repelled by water droplets

00:34:45and hail. Mixing with the red sunset, they turn into a bright green light. And this green light is spreading

00:34:53all over the sky. That's why in most of these cases, when the sky turns green, people can only see it in

00:35:01the evenings. Yeah, it can also happen in the middle of the day. But since the conditions are already quite

00:35:07specific, seeing something like that during the day is even rarer. Still, if you see a green sky, you don't

00:35:16need to panic. It doesn't necessarily mean that a terrible storm is approaching. The chances are high

00:35:23though. But still, it's not a rule. It can be just heavy rain or a heavy hail. In other words, if you see

00:35:31a green sky, then you'd better hide. And hide your car. However, if you were lucky enough to see the

00:35:38stunning sky from the comfort of your own home, it's indeed very exciting. If you get a glimpse of something

00:35:44like that, just know that you had a chance to experience something very rare and special.

00:35:51Some people said it was the most incredible thing they had ever seen.

00:35:57Hi there! Have you ever wondered why birds tend to fly in circles? It's because of thermals. Now,

00:36:02a thermal is like a big bubble of warm air that rises up from the ground. Have you ever flown a kite on

00:36:08a windy day and watch it go up and down? Well, imagine if the wind was warm instead of cold,

00:36:15and instead of a kite, you were a bird or a glider. So yeah, that warm wind would be a thermal. Thermals

00:36:21occur when the sun heats up the earth, and the air close to the ground gets warm and starts to rise.

00:36:27This creates a column of rising air that birds and gliders can ride on to go up into the sky.

00:36:34Just like how you use the wind to fly a kite, birds can use thermals to soar without flapping their

00:36:40wings too much. They can circle inside the thermal and go higher and higher without using up too much

00:36:46energy. Those that especially tend to use this flying in circles mode are large raptors such as

00:36:52hawks, vultures, and eagles. When these birds circle in the sky, it looks like they're just hanging

00:36:58there. But nope, it's all about thermals again. It helps them because as they go higher without

00:37:04getting tired, they can look for food more easily or watch out for predators from a good position in

00:37:10the sky. Thermals are important for some other animals that fly too, like insects. You may see

00:37:16lots of birds flying in circles together. Sticking together helps them save even more energy. Some birds,

00:37:23like geese and ducks, tend to fly in a V formation to save their strength. What's interesting is that

00:37:29all the birds in the flock take turns leading the V. As they fly, the birds at the front get tired,

00:37:35so they fall back, and another bird takes their place as the leader. This way, every bird gets a

00:37:41chance to rest and save energy. Thermals can also create powerful storms, like thunderstorms.

00:37:47And sometimes, when you see birds flying in circles or a V shape, it's because they sense

00:37:54a storm is coming. This happens because bad weather comes hand in hand with low pressure.

00:38:00Low pressure systems are areas in the atmosphere where the air pressure is lower than the surrounding

00:38:05areas. When the pressure drops, it can cause the air to move and create wind. If there's enough

00:38:11moisture in the air, the low pressure can even cause thunderstorms, heavy rains, or even hurricanes.

00:38:18Migratory birds are often those who use their keen sense of hearing and vision to detect changes in

00:38:24weather conditions. When a storm is approaching, there can be changes in air pressure, wind speed,

00:38:30and temperature, which can affect their behavior. Some other animals have interesting types of behavior

00:38:36when the bad weather is coming too. Cows and other livestock may huddle together in a group for warmth and

00:38:42protection during a storm. Also, cows are known to lie down in a field before a storm as a way to

00:38:49ease this discomfort. Or at least, that may be something you've heard. So, what have you heard

00:38:55about this herd? Well, the belief is that cows predict the weather and lie down because they can

00:39:00feel a drop in air pressure that comes with an approaching storm. But science hasn't confirmed it

00:39:06yet, since there's not enough evidence to support this idea. Cows do like to lie down from time to time,

00:39:12but they do it for a variety of reasons, such as to rest or ruminate. So, when you see one lying down,

00:39:19you can't be sure it's because bad weather is coming. Different studies show different results.

00:39:25One found out cows didn't show any significant changes in behavior before the rain. Well,

00:39:30another study found that cows stood up more often as the rain was coming. Apparently, no one has

00:39:36actually asked the cows about this. But the cows aren't talking, which is why this point is moot.

00:39:43Amphibians, such as frogs and toads, can give us information about natural phenomena.

00:39:49When you hear frogs croaking louder and longer than usual,

00:39:52it might indicate that a storm is approaching. Frogs are sensitive to changes in humidity and air

00:39:58pressure, and they tend to become more active and vocal just before a storm. And when it comes to

00:40:04toads, research says they might even predict earthquakes. This is because before an earthquake,

00:40:10there are changes in the chemistry of the ponds where toads live. The shifts in the ground causes

00:40:16these changes, which in turn causes the toads to flee their homes. Scientists believe we should study

00:40:22these patterns to predict earthquakes more accurately. Meanwhile, dogs can sense storms and

00:40:28thunder too. They feel changes in the air pressure in the atmosphere. Plus, they have a way better sense

00:40:34of hearing and smell than humans. When a storm is approaching, you can spot certain things in their

00:40:39behavior. For instance, they may become more restless or clingy. They may pant excessively or pace back and

00:40:47forth, and they may try to hide in a safe place. This is because dogs can feel the static electricity

00:40:53that builds up in the air before a storm. And they may become anxious or frightened by the loud noises

00:40:59and bright flashes of lightning. There were stories that dogs can predict earthquakes too.

00:41:05But there's no firm evidence of that. But who cares? Dogs are our heroes even without that.

00:41:12Now, honeybees can sense changes in pressure and humidity levels as well. So, they use this

00:41:18information to predict when a storm is coming. These are social insects that live in large groups in

00:41:24hives or colonies. That's why predicting weather is so important for them. They need to protect their

00:41:29hives and forage for food before the storm hits. So, for bees, bad weather may come like a real vacation

00:41:36they've wanted for so long. Just some chilling and eating all the food they've gathered before.

00:41:42Just like me in the sand. Spiders have superpowers when it comes to weather too.

00:41:47Well, they can't exactly predict the weather, but their behavior can give us a clue about temperature

00:41:53outside. When it's going to get colder, spiders might seek shelter indoors. So, if you see many spiders in

00:42:00your home, it could be a sign that colder weather is on the way. You may have heard snakes can predict

00:42:06earthquakes. The legend where this belief started actually dates back to 373 BCE, when snakes and

00:42:14other creatures are said to have left the area before a major earthquake in Greece. Cool story,

00:42:20but there's little firm evidence to support the theory. Scientists do acknowledge that snakes and other

00:42:27animals can sense earthquakes a few seconds before people do, because they can feel the initial wave

00:42:33better. But it's still not clear if they can detect it days in advance. How about sheep and their sixth

00:42:40sense? It allows them to predict rain or snow. They huddle together tightly before a storm, which could be a

00:42:47way to keep warm or protect themselves from the weather. But this theory needs to be yet appropriately

00:42:53tested and proven. Bad. You will hear wolves howling during big storms as well. Many people

00:43:00think wolves do it when a full moon is outside. But some experts believe the change in air pressure

00:43:06that comes with a big storm may cause discomfort in sensitive canine ears. And this is what makes them

00:43:13howl. But again, it's hard to tell precisely because wolves howl for many reasons. They do it to signal

00:43:20danger, attract a mate, and communicate with their pack. There's also no evidence the full moon

00:43:26fascinates them so much that they feel the urge to howl when they see it. But it's good for the

00:43:31movies, though. Sharks have ears sensitive to changes in air and water pressure that usually occur

00:43:38during hurricanes and tropical storms. Some experts believe they can detect these and quickly dive into

00:43:44deeper waters to stay safe. Studies show sharks behave like this many times before storms.

00:43:51Again, no one's sure 100% about this. But like many other animals, they do have a special ability

00:43:58to detect changes in their environment and use it to survive and thrive over time.

00:44:03You're walking down the beach toward the water. But something feels different today. The water is

00:44:13bright green, and your nose gets filled with a recognizable pungent stench of rotting eggs. Should

00:44:19you probably come closer to check this unusual phenomenon? Stop right now until it's too late.

00:44:26What you see is called a harmful algal bloom, also called algae bloom. And approaching it is a very bad

00:44:33idea. This bloom contains algae that can produce dangerous toxic gases. That's what makes previously

00:44:39popular touristy places deserted and outright treacherous. You can come to a sea or lake beach

00:44:45and spot something that looks like blue-green foam floating on or just beneath the surface of the water.

00:44:51Or it may resemble streaks of bright green paint. Some blooms, called red tides, can color the water

00:44:57brown or red. Anyway, once you notice something like that, try to stay away, keep in check that

00:45:03curiosity of yours, and don't go exploring. When algae decompose, pockets of toxic hydrogen sulfide gas

00:45:11are trapped under the crust. If you unknowingly step on such a pocket, you'll set the gas free and can

00:45:17accidentally inhale it, it's enough to say that this is likely to end tragically.

00:45:23On some beaches, bulldozers pile up the algae into dump trucks and bring it to special centers.

00:45:29There, workers dry the seaweed and get rid of it. But sometimes, these centers have to be temporarily

00:45:35closed. Algae mixed with sand and mud smell so awful that local people can't sleep at night because of

00:45:42the stench. There are three types of dangerous algae that can gather into harmful algal blooms.

00:45:48Cyanobacteria, dinoflagellates, and diatoms. All of them are made up of minuscule floating

00:45:54life forms that use sunlight to create their own food. The blue-green algal blooms are caused by

00:46:00cyanobacteria. They produce dangerous toxins that destroy nerve tissue. They can get so bad that water

00:46:07treatment plants might be unable to get rid of the toxin. Then, local people are recommended

00:46:12not to use tap water. Dinoflagellates and one diatom species are responsible for creating red

00:46:19tides. They occur mostly in ocean bays. For a red algal bloom to form, the water has to be warm,

00:46:26salty, and rich in nutrients. Such blooms release a huge amount of different toxins. In Texas, red tides

00:46:33used to happen once in a decade. Now, they occur every three years. In Florida, red algal blooms

00:46:40appear every year. Long, skinny diatoms can also produce toxic substances harmful to people. Even

00:46:46worse, if some shellfish, like razor clams, eat a lot of this plankton, they become toxic too. That's

00:46:53why cooking them for dinner can lead to a disaster. It's one of the reasons why marine waters are usually

00:46:59monitored. If toxin levels become too high, beaches get closed for shellfish harvesting.

00:47:05Harmful algal blooms can last for several days to a couple of months. They rid the water of oxygen,

00:47:11causing marine life to disappear. But it gets even worse when microbes start to decompose the algae at

00:47:17the end of the bloom. They consume even more oxygen in the process, and no fish can survive it. This

00:47:24creates huge areas of water almost totally devoid of oxygen and any kind of plant or animal life.

00:47:31Harmful algal blooms appear in the regions with too many nutrients in the water. And the most common

00:47:36of these nutrients comes from agriculture and other industries. Plus, winter monsoons have become warmer

00:47:43and now carry more moisture. This allows algae to gather in huge blooms. Some of them get so gigantic

00:47:50that the thick green swirls can be seen from space. Not all algal blooms are harmful though. Some of them

00:47:56just add a terrible taste to the water, change its color, or produce revolting smells. Unfortunately,

00:48:03you won't be able to tell toxic algae from totally harmless kinds, judging only by their appearance.

00:48:09Algae aren't the only organisms that look deceitfully harmless. Here are other marine

00:48:14inhabitants you should never ever touch. The Urukandji jellyfish, found in Australia,

00:48:20looks tiny and totally innocent. But appearances are deceitful. And this baby, the size of a human

00:48:26thumbnail, is actually lethal. During stinger season, which lasts from November to May, tons of beaches get

00:48:33closed because of these itsy bitsy creatures. What makes the jellyfish particularly dangerous is their

00:48:39miniature size. You will simply fail to notice one while swimming. Oops.

00:48:45The blue-ringed octopus looks not just harmless, it's breathtakingly beautiful. But don't let the

00:48:51looks fool you. You wouldn't want to disturb this relatively small 8-inch-long creature. It carries

00:48:56enough venom to bring down 26 adults within mere minutes. And once the animal feels threatened, well,

00:49:03you can probably guess the outcome. At the same time, when left alone, the octopus is absolutely

00:49:09docile. The infamous box jellyfish, named for its cubic body shape, lives in the Indian and Pacific

00:49:16Oceans. Stay clear from a creature with a squarish bell and long, dangling tentacles. And even if you

00:49:23see only a single tentacle, without the jellyfish attached to it, don't come close or touch it. The box

00:49:29jellyfish can grow up to 10 feet, and each of its tentacles has about 500,000 microscopic harpoons to

00:49:36inject venom. Unlike other jellyfish, box jellyfish are hunters. They can latch onto you by wrapping

00:49:42their slender tentacles around your limb or body. With how dangerous their venom is, it won't be a

00:49:48pleasant experience. The crown-of-thorn starfish got its name because of the venomous spines covering

00:49:55its entire body. The second-largest starfish in the world, it can grow up to 20 inches across. They feed on

00:50:02corals, and they eat a lot. Just one hungry starfish can finish off more than 100 square

00:50:08feet of corals within a year. The creatures also tend to have loads of babies. They produce more than

00:50:14500 million eggs at a time. Really, an overachiever. The fairly small, blue-spotted ribbon-tailed ray

00:50:22mostly lives in the tropical Indian and western Pacific Oceans, near coral reefs. No more than 14 inches

00:50:29across. The creature has a striking color pattern. It's yellow, with electric blue spots on its body,

00:50:35and several blue stripes on its tail. But, however pretty this animal is, keep in mind that it's also

00:50:42dangerous. It can injure you with venomous tail spines. You can come across lionfish in the South

00:50:49Pacific Ocean and in the Caribbean Sea. Despite what most people think, it's okay to cook these fish.

00:50:55These creatures present real danger when they are alive. You can get accidentally stung by their

00:51:00needle-sharp fins that contain venom. If you're an enthusiastic shell collector,

00:51:06you should know the cone snail by sight. About 4 inches long, the snail looks cute and innocent.

00:51:12But this look is deceitful, especially if you're dealing with a tropical species. Imagine finding a

00:51:18pretty shell and picking it up. You aren't afraid. Your diving gloves seem to offer perfect protection.

00:51:24But cone snails have tiny, needle-like protrusions they can deploy from their mouths.

00:51:29And those are full of lethal neurotoxins. These harpoons can easily get through your

00:51:34diving suit's fabric. But the worst thing is that the venom contains painkillers.

00:51:39You won't even know you've been stung!

00:51:42The flower urchin got to the Guinness Book of Records as the most dangerous sea urchin on the planet.

00:51:48These creatures live in the Indian and western Pacific Oceans.

00:51:51And while a flower urchin may look like something you'd love to see in your aquarium,

00:51:56never ever touch it. Flower urchins have enough venom to make your holiday extremely unpleasant.

00:52:02Or short.

00:52:04The Reef Stonefish, the world's most venomous fish, knows how to camouflage. Oh goody! It can blend into

00:52:11the surroundings so well, you won't even notice it even if you're paying attention. This makes it all too

00:52:17easy to step on the fish. Once the creature feels threatened, like when you're accidentally trying

00:52:22to crush it, it extends the venomous spines growing along its back. The more pressure,

00:52:28the more venom the fish produces. The creature remains dangerous even taken out of the water.

00:52:35The Indonesian needlefish isn't venomous, doesn't have sharp teeth, and will most likely stay as far

00:52:40away from you as possible. The danger lies in the fish's body shape. After all, it wasn't called the

00:52:46needle for nothing. Needlefish swim near the surface. In case of danger, they launch themselves

00:52:52out of the water, and their speed can reach 37 miles per hour. Their long, sharp jaws turn the fish

00:52:59into flying spears. The striped surgeonfish got its name because of the spines growing near the base of

00:53:06its tail. When the fish feels endangered, it moves the tail and reveals these scalpel-shaped spines.

00:53:13If you don't hurry to move away, you can get several nasty cuts. Keep in mind that some species

00:53:18are also venomous. Hey, have a nice day at the beach, y'all!

00:53:25You're walking along the riverbank. It's quiet, save for the water's peaceful burbling. The hot Georgia

00:53:32sun beats down on your neck. That's when you notice something strange on the ground. Looks like a

00:53:38quarter-sized black coin with a weird pattern on it. You bend over for a closer look. Is it a coin?

00:53:45This thing looks like an ancient seal with a symbol carved in it. It's probably from some long-lost

00:53:51civilization. You could sell it and make a fortune. You crouch down on one knee to pick up your newfound

00:53:58treasure. As soon as your finger touches it, you pull your hand back as fear wells in your gut. It's hairy.

00:54:05You go to pick it up again, digging your nails in the dirt around it to pull it out of the ground.

00:54:11That's when it moves. Your heart jumps in your throat. It's pounding so hard you can feel it in

00:54:17your head. The fear turns to horror when the coin wiggles its way out of the ground. It's no ancient

00:54:24treasure. It's a huge spider. A ravine trapdoor spider, to be precise. This hard, coin-looking

00:54:31growth on the back of its body serves as a shield. The eight-legged terrors burrow into the ground and

00:54:38plug it like a cork so hungry enemies can't get to them. Or, you know, giant confused humans like you.

00:54:45The spider is venomous, but its bite isn't toxic to humans. Ooh, lucky you. But I didn't say you

00:54:52wouldn't feel it. Best stay away from those sizable pincer-like fangs. Ow!

00:54:57Well, so much for your riches. Perhaps fortune awaits you in Mexico's Baja California Peninsula.

00:55:04You're walking on dried-up ground when you notice a long white stripe up ahead. You get closer.

00:55:11Looks like a super-long worm, you think to yourself. But it doesn't move like any worm you've ever seen.

00:55:18That's when you see it has arms. And a head! This pale creature with black beady eyes is a Mexican

00:55:26mole lizard. It lives in the ground where all its dinner of insects and termites hang out. It rarely

00:55:33comes out, so you're pretty lucky to have seen this bizarre reptile. Now you're in a rain forest in

00:55:39northeastern Australia. Ahead, half hidden among the trees, you notice something large and round. This

00:55:47mysterious figure lying on the ground is covered in black hair. At first, you think it's a bear curled

00:55:54up sleeping. But that wouldn't make any sense. There are no bears down under. You're getting

00:55:59closer when a twig snaps under your foot. The thing hears you and springs to its legs. It turns to you,

00:56:06and you now see this is a bizarre and beautiful bird. That black hair is actually a thick coat of long,

00:56:14fine feathers. This formidable fowl has a bright blue head with a large horn on top. It stands on

00:56:21two powerful legs with a dagger-like claw on each foot that can be as long as your hand.

00:56:27Take away those feathers, and you might mistake this thing for a velociraptor. But it's actually

00:56:33a cassowary, the most dangerous bird in the world. It could jump straight over your head if it wanted to,

00:56:39definitely high enough to kick you in the chest. And its blows are strong enough to break bone.

00:56:45Not to mention that claw that can cut through anything like butter. This bird was made to hunt

00:56:50and avoid being hunted. Don't even consider running away. Not unless you too can sprint over 30 miles

00:56:57per hour. Diving into that lake over there won't save you either. This bird is an excellent swimmer.

00:57:03Best just to back away slowly and hope it doesn't come after you.

00:57:08Another creature that proves it's best to keep your hands to yourself is the panda ant. The naming

00:57:14is obvious. It's black and white and furry like the beloved bamboo-chewing bear. This furry little

00:57:21bugger lives in the forests of Chile. But don't go to pet this fluffy little ant. What you're looking at

00:57:27is no ant at all. It's a species of wasp. That black and white coloring serves one purpose.

00:57:34To warn others of this insect's powerful sting. And if that doesn't make you back away,

00:57:39the wasp will let out a squeaking sound. It sounds cute to us humans, but it means a painful sting is

00:57:46around the corner. These insects are loners. They don't live in colonies and don't have nests. They're

00:57:53also parasites. A female panda ant lays eggs next to the larvae of another insect. Then,

00:58:00the hatched babies use these larvae as food. Surely you've seen bugs that look like leaves and twigs.

00:58:07But what about a creature that looks like a beautiful orchid? You can find this

00:58:11fragrant flower in the forest or a green field among other plants. But make sure that's a flower

00:58:18you're leaning in toward the smell. If it's not, you risk being bitten by a praying mantis.

00:58:24The orchid mantis is nearly impossible to distinguish among the flowers. It has pink-white

00:58:29coloring with legs and claws that look identical to little petals. It uses its resemblance to the

00:58:36plant to hide from predators and hunt insects that love these flowers. A butterfly or a bee flies up to

00:58:43the flower when one of the petals starts moving. The unsuspecting meal might take it as simply the

00:58:49wind. But then the petal turns into a sharp claw that suddenly grabs the insect.

00:58:55Now imagine you're in the jungles of Costa Rica. You notice a brown snake sitting on a tree branch in

00:59:02front of your face. The snake looks like it's about to strike. You want to run away as far as possible,

00:59:08but notice that this snake is unusually short. And it doesn't lash out at you. You wait,

00:59:15but the snake keeps staring at you. It doesn't even hiss. Lucky for you, it'll never bite because

00:59:21it's not a snake, but a caterpillar. The hawkmoth caterpillar can change the shape of its body

00:59:28to look like a menacing serpent. This easily scares away any hungry foes.

00:59:33The coloring and pattern on the skin imitates a snake's scales and eyes. This insect also knows

00:59:39how to move like a reptile. A master of disguise, this one!

00:59:44Let's get out of the hot jungle and head to Central Europe. You're in the middle of a sunny

00:59:49green meadow. Colorful flowers bloom around, birds sing, and bees buzz by. Among the bees,

00:59:57some are not what they seem. You'd hardly be able to distinguish the imposters. But if you look

01:00:03really closely, you'll see the golden bee fly moving through the air. It looks like a bumblebee,

01:00:09but it's the buzzer's biggest enemy. The golden bee fly sneaks into bee nests and lays eggs there.

01:00:16Its larvae hatch and feed on the bees and flower nectar. The yellow and black coloring allows the

01:00:22intruder to go undetected the whole time. The camouflage also keeps enemies away.

01:00:28Nothing would touch this fly if it thinks it'll get a bumblebee sting.

01:00:33The next spot on your journey is the rainforest in southern Thailand. Now be extra careful and

01:00:39watch your step. Not because the next animal is poisonous or bites, but because you might actually

01:00:46step on it. The leaves from the trees have fallen and turned a gray-brown hue. Among these leaves,

01:00:53it's tough to distinguish the Malaysian horned leaf frog. Its body shape, coloring, and especially

01:00:59those pointy growths coming out above its eyes all allow this amphibian to hide perfectly among the

01:01:06fallen foliage. This frog can sit for hours in one place, waiting for its next meal to come close enough to

01:01:13Now you're in a garden. You see a beautiful, bright flower and a small bird hovering near it.

01:01:20The bird flaps its wings so quickly you can hardly see them. And that long, needle-like beak makes you

01:01:27immediately assume you're looking at a hummingbird. But as soon as you get closer, you realize this is

01:01:33not a bird, but an insect. Fortunately, the hummingbird hawk moth isn't venomous and doesn't sting.

01:01:40It's just a lovely little creature that decorates the garden with its presence.

01:01:45Many people even grow plants rich in nectar to attract these moths. Hey, that's an idea!

01:01:52That's it for today. So hey, if you pacified your curiosity, then give the video a like and share it

01:01:58with your friends. Or if you want more, just click on these videos and stay on the bright side!

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