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.”
High schooler takes grandma to prom after she missed out in 1961
High school is a time filled with memorable events such as homecoming dances, proms, and graduations.
For Josephine from Camarillo, California, her high school experience ended before she had the chance to go to prom, all the way back in 1961.
However, her grandson, Michael Ganczewski, decided to turn this missed opportunity into a cherished memory during his own senior prom.
Learning that his grandmother never attended her prom due to financial constraints, Ganczewski saw an opportunity to give her a magical night. Just two weeks before his own senior prom and without a date, he realized he could create the experience of a lifetime for his beloved nana.
When Ganczewski asked Josephine to be his prom date, she initially declined, telling her grandson that she was just grateful for feeling loved on Mother’s Day weekend.
Though, undeterred, Ganczewski convinced her, and on the day of the prom, Josephine sported a beautiful dress and a corsage. Worried about her dancing skills, she soon discovered that the night’s joy was simply about being with her grandson.
In an interview with CBS Los Angeles, Ganczewski expressed his love for his grandmother. “She is the most important woman in my life. If it wasn’t for her, my mom wouldn’t be here, and she wouldn’t have had me. And I love her, and I’d do anything for her,” he said.
Josephine then spoke about how she responded to her grandson’s proposal initially: “I said I’m an old lady. I’m not going to the prom.” She thought Ganczewski, being a handsome young man, would have numerous date options. However, he insisted she was his one and only choice.
Admitted she wasn’t too familiar with this generation’s latest dance trends, Josephine said: “Well, I don’t know any new dances, but I plan to do my best.” Her grandson’s desire to make her feel special touched her deeply, as she remarked: “For the rest of my life, however long that is, I will never forget that he wanted to bring his Nana and show me a good time. That to me is very special.”
As if the gesture itself wasn’t heartwarming enough, Josephine’s prom night ended with an unexpected surprise – Josephine was crowned prom queen, fulfilling a dream she had waited for since 1961.
This marvellous night, filled with love and joy, just showed the importance of the bond between a grandson and his grandmother.
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