Survival

Who was Christopher McCandless? The young man whose life was chronicled in the book and subsequent film adaptation, Into The Wild, often seems more myth than man. After his untimely passing in 1992, his story made McCandless a larger-than-life sensation and touted his philosophy of simplicity and detachment from material goods. His persona became something that people all over the world over would cling to and adopt as their own dogma; he&#39;s often spoken of in the same breath as wilderness figures like <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/grizzly-man-timothy-treadwell/travis-morgan" target="_blank">&quot;Grizzly Man&quot; Timothy Treadwell</a>, who also met an untimely end seeking solace in the remote Alaskan wilderness.

However, was Into The Wild actually based on a true story? Or was it just <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/grizzly-man-timothy-treadwell/travis-morgan" target="_blank">another romanticized account</a> of a big-hearted dreamer who ultimately lost his life alone in the Alaskan wilderness after he realized it was too late to turn back? When it comes to McCandless, there are the facts, based on his own journal entries and family members&#39; accounts, but then there is also the speculation surrounding the truth, as often is the case when someone passes so young and mysteriously. Delve into the short, strange life of Christopher McCandless.

The Sad Tale Of Christopher McCandless, The Man From 'Into The Wild'

General

The Sad Tale Of Christopher McCandless - The Man From Into The Wild

Colleen Conroy

Lists of insane, very creepy tales are almost unbelievable, but are 100% true.

Totally Bizarre True Stories

Animals

Even with training and domestication, pets have been known to turn on their owners. Sadly, this is all the more common with exotic animals that are difficult or impossible to train, such as lions, bears, and snakes. These stories are tragic, usually of devoted guardians attempting to simply do what can&#39;t be done - tame a wild beast.

Pets who have turned on their humans include a famous chimpanzee, various reptiles, a hippo that inspired a TV special, bears, and even spiders. Some of these cases&nbsp;are the result of&nbsp;obvious bad ideas, but many were just animal owners who had fallen in love with an exotic creature&nbsp;and paid the ultimate price.

18 Terrifying Stories Of Pets Who Turned On Their Owners

18 Terrifying Stories of Pets Who Attacked Their Owners

Mike Rothschild

Exploring ancient societies and cultures that have gone the way of Blockbuster and Dunkaroos. 

Bygone Civilizations

History

There are about 100&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/uncontacted-and-indigenous-tribes/mike-rothschild" target="_blank">uncontacted&nbsp;native groups</a>&nbsp;around the world, but none of them are&nbsp;more isolated than&nbsp;the&nbsp;Sentinelese tribe. Located in the northern&nbsp;Andaman Islands of India, these indigenous&nbsp;people conscientiously separate themselves from the outside world. In fact,&nbsp;their&nbsp;isolation has likely saved lives, as nearby tribes have suffered losses at the hands of outsiders who carry&nbsp;diseases or create hostility. Explorers commonly exploit native people and kill the animals they hunt for food.&nbsp;The Sentinelese have not met the same fate, but as civilization continues&nbsp;to encroach, their days may be numbered. The Indian government encourages&nbsp;outsiders to avoid the natives, though. Their hostility is detrimental to all parties involved.

Here's Everything We Know About The World's Most Isolated Tribe

Here's Everything We Know About The Sentinelese Tribe

Michelle Nati

Lists about the many ways various animals can end—or at least seriously rek—your life.

It's a Jungle Out There

Though wild animal attacks are often worst-case scenarios that run&nbsp;through our&nbsp;heads while&nbsp;hiking or camping, the fact is that you're more likely to get attacked by a cat or dog than any feral beast. Still, there are real people out there who have narrowly escaped death from the jaws of&nbsp;decidedly non-domesticated animals. These animal attack survivors - whether they intentionally put themselves in danger or were just minding their own business - all have a story to tell.The following stories&nbsp;- told by <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/7-real-people-who-survived-horror-movie-situations/samantha-wilson?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">people who survived</a> animal attacks - are horrifying real-life tales that involve <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/animal-terror-village/anna-lindwasser" target="_blank">wild animals terrorizing humans</a>. These animals weren't in captivity, they weren't pets, and they absolutely could have been killers.

People Who Survived Wild Animal Attacks Tell Their Stories

Jen Jeffers

Real tales of terror from real people doing normal things, like playing the Powerball and using tampons.

Crazy True! Horror Stories

Take the kids out for a fun day at the zoo! See wild animals in tiny recreations of their natural habitats! Watch as they suffer stress, indignity, unnatural climates, and public mating! ...Ooh, a monkey!!!

Locked Up: Animals Behind Bars

Zoos

When one spends a day at the zoo, they may expect a little excitement, a little curiosity, and an awesome chance to see some of wildlife&#39;s most vibrant, odd, and fascinating creatures. What you don&#39;t expect is to fall into the pit of a lion&#39;s den and have your clothes and body parts ripped to shreds. Although you&#39;re likely among&nbsp;the vast majority that has never had the unfortunate luck of experiencing such a high-stakes standoff against nature&#39;s greatest predators, there are some who have not been so fortunate. Zoo tragedies make <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/funny-weird-news-headlines/amylindorff?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">crazy news stories</a> because they&#39;re actually so rare. But even some of the most experienced wildlife trainers, biologists, and veterinarians have had some very, VERY bad things happen to them at the zoo.&nbsp;

All bad zoo news stories, unique in their own way, are nature&#39;s way of telling us that these beasts are not to be messed with. Lack of respect for the animal kingdom could cost you your arm or leg. And don&#39;t think that just because there&#39;s a thick layer of glass between you that these stronger-than-you-think mammals can&#39;t find a way to take you out if you make them angry enough. These animal anecdotes below are some of the worst things that have ever happened at zoos and are fair warning for your next visit.&nbsp;

The Worst Things That Have Ever Happened at Zoos

Ryan Davis

There are more than 8 million species walking, swimming, and flying around Planet Earth. Here are lists about a few worthy of your attention. 

Unbelievable Animals

Ancient Flora / Fauna

Hidden deep underground are some of the rarest treasures in all of science. Formed from immense pressure over millions of years, fossils tell us the story of our long-lost ancestors and the strange creatures that populated their world. <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/whoa-fossils/alby-thompson" target="_blank">Bizarre fossil discoveries</a> are becoming more common as we develop new digging techniques and open our minds to the otherworldly phenomenon that is prehistoric life. Many of these insane fossils changed our understanding of the world forever, and we&#39;re still just beginning to understand the importance of these <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-state-fossils/mallory-weiler" target="_blank">bony artifacts</a>.

While dinosaurs are some of the most famous of all extinct species, not all of the strangest fossils ever discovered came from those lizards. Some of the most bizarre fossils came from creatures so alien, you have to see them to believe they&#39;re real. These are the last remnants of the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-top-10-oldest-living-things-on-earth/analise.dubner" target="_blank">oldest lifeforms on the planet</a>, preserved in time and rock for future generations to marvel at.

The Most Bizarre Fossils Ever Discovered

The 21 Most Bizarre Fossils Ever Discovered

Eric Luis

Lists of fascinating facts about the most dangerous creatures on Planet Earth.

Predators and Eating Machines

Lists to celebrate and educate about some of the earth's most beautiful creations: flowers, trees, mosses, fungi, and even carnivorous plants.

Natural Botanicals

Plants

When most people think of plants, they picture beautiful beds of flowers or sturdy trees to fill out a front lawn. Most don&#39;t picture savage organisms that can destroy you almost instantly - but it&#39;s completely true.&nbsp;

Some deadly&nbsp;plants get into your food, some produce deadly toxins that can be transferred through touch. These most deadly plants seem like they have a mean streak in them, and with the way they go out of their way to end you, you&#39;d be right to be a little afraid.

Some of the most dangerous plants&nbsp;are pretty or unassuming, and can get into your system simply because they seem harmless. After all, who would think a pretty blue flower would kill you upon being picked, or that taking shelter from the rain under a tree would end in blindness?

So, if you&#39;re ready to learn about dangerous plants, and hopefully learn to avoid them, read on. You may find out&nbsp;some of these plants are ones you&#39;ve come in contact with before!

12 Merciless Plants That Will Go Out Of Their Way To End Your Life

Animal/Plant

12 Merciless Plants That Go Out of Their Way to Kill You

Laura Allan

The weirdest, most disgusting things found in unexpected places that will put you off eating / cleaning / having a body forever.

Unwelcome Surprises

Weird

It's not what's on the outside you should be worried about. It's what may or may not be secretly living inside you that should keep you up at night. The creepy crawlers on this list of terrifying things found living inside humans will give you nightmares for weeks. Some entered these humans through food, while others dropped their eggs right on an unsuspecting host's head. However they got there, they will all make your skin crawl.Here is a list of the creepiest non-human invaders that could end up living inside you, sometimes without your knowledge. This list of horrifying things found living inside people includes insects, other bugs, worms, sperm, fis-- wait, what? Sperm?Yes. Sperm. Squid sperm to be specific. Click through the list below to find out what kinds of creepy creatures have been found living inside humans, and could one day end up inside you.

The Most Horrifying Things Found Living Inside People

Beau Iverson

Lists of creatures around the world that are simply beautiful (or, at least, very interesting).

Cool-Looking Animals

Wholesome

What are the world&#39;s most beautiful animals? This list includes some of the most stunning, exotic, and truly gorgeous animals ever to roam the planet. Whether it&#39;s the regal Siberian Tiger or the majestic Bald Eagle, each animal listed here is considered, at least by some, to be beautiful. Vote for the animals you think are the most gorgeous, vote down any that you don&#39;t find attractive, and feel free to rerank this list in any order you like. And be sure to vote on this list of <a href="/crowdranked-list/cutest-baby-animals" target="_blank">the cutest baby animals</a> too, because words like &quot;adorable&quot; and &quot;cuddly&quot; come to mind!

Not surprisingly, many of the to most beautiful animals worldwide are big cats. From the aforementioned Siberian Tiger to the Cheetah (the world&#39;s fastest land animal, so in addition to beauty, this cat has serious skills), the Jaguar, Leopard, White Lion, and the Ocelot are all big vote getters. They are wonderful examples of the miracle of evolution &ndash; gorgeous and deadly predators who&#39;ve survived for centuries.

Several different dog breeds are also represented on this list of the world&#39;s greatest pretty animals. Who can deny that the Siberian Husky, with those incredible eyes and that remarkable coat, isn&#39;t one of the prettiest animals on Earth? Not to be outdone, the domestic cat also appears here, with breeds like the Norwegian Forest Cat and the Russian Blue getting votes. Be sure to go vote for the <a href="/list/cute-cat-videos/cutest-animal-videos" target="_blank">cutest cat</a> and <a href="/list/cute-puppy-videos/cutest-animal-videos" target="_blank">cutest puppy videos</a> once you&#39;ve cast your ballots on this Ranker list, by the way.

Need more gorgeous creatures? For a truly &quot;awww&quot;-worthy experience, check out this list of the <a href="/list/7-intolerably-cute-baby-monkey-videos/cutest-animal-videos" target="_blank">7 intolerably cute baby monkey videos</a> and get your fix of happy with this <a href="/list/daily-dose-of-cuteness/ranky" target="_blank">daily dose of cuteness</a> list, too!

Panther

The World's Most Beautiful Animals

World's Most Beautiful Animals

Ranker Community

Lists about the film franchise in which a cloned dinosaur theme park gets taken over by some very scary, very clever girls.

Welcome to Jurassic Park

Did dinosaurs have feathers? Scales? Deep voices or shrill, piercing squawks? Australian accents? Sarcastic tones? Check out these lists about the many bird-like reptiles that roamed and ruled over Planet Earth between 66 and 230 million years ago.

Raaaarrr!!

Trending on Ranker

Another day, another lie from Hollywood. Inaccuracies in the Jurassic Park movies abound, and the biggest scientific errors glare at you with the intensity of a T.rex staring down two kids trapped in a car. As crazy as it sounds, Steven Spielberg never tackled the film with the intent&nbsp;a National Geographic-worthy film.&nbsp;From the original movies and pre-glam Laura Dern to Bryce Dallas Howard running&nbsp;from a dinosaur in heels (seriously, when will <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-female-movie-characters/ranker-characters?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">women in movies</a>&nbsp;wear reasonable shoes?), the popular film saga takes plenty&nbsp;of artistic liberties when it comes to even the simplest dinosaur facts. The biggest scientific errors in Jurassic Park sound surprising,&nbsp;until you recall most <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/science-fiction-movies-with-bad-science/aaron-edwards" target="_blank">sci-fi movies employ bad science</a>.The Jurassic Park&nbsp;series plays the same game, adding traits to dinosaurs that range from bada** (venom spitting) to bizarre (sneezing). But inaccuracies in these films include more than just what Jurassic Park&nbsp;gets wrong about dinosaurs; their &quot;rules&quot; on fossils and genetics unravel faster than strands of DNA encased in amber (yep, even the insects lied in this film). But don't let the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/7-scientific-facts-the-will-ruin-movies-for-you/charlie-knauf" target="_blank">Jurassic Park&nbsp;movies's sci-fi lies</a> get you down. The world will always have Chris Pratt's abs... unless those were CGI, too.

Here's Just How Wrong Jurassic Park Is About Dinosaurs

Film

Beth Elias

Real places in the physical world that you should avoid at all costs, lest you never come back alive. 

Get Out, Stay Out

Natural World

The world is full of natural wonders, and&nbsp;many areas on our awesome Earth filled to the brim with&nbsp;their own creepy acts of universal oddity. From unresolved and inherent&nbsp;occurrences to haunting backgrounds filled with mystery, death, and abysmal unknowns, creepy natural wonders of the world are totally real environments that will leave you puzzled and unnerved.&nbsp;If you're looking for some spooky spots on Earth, a visit to the howling and screaming paranormal forests of the <a href="http://theghosthuntuk.com/uks-haunted-screaming-woods/" target="_blank">Dering&nbsp;Woods</a>, the cockroach-covered <a href="http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/gomantong-cave" target="_blank">cave walls of Malaysia's Gomantong&nbsp;Caves</a>, or the ethereal and alien landscapes of the cruel, Ethiopian <a href="http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20160614-the-people-and-creatures-living-in-earths-hottest-place" target="_blank">Danakil&nbsp;Depression</a> zone&nbsp;will be the perfect scratch to your eerie itch.The creepiest natural places on Earth bring you a mix of awe-inspiring and sinister vibes, and for a good reason. Disturbing auras fill every crevice of the world's strange and exotic wonders, and their&nbsp;harrowing tales and ecosystems are sure to leave your nerves on high-alert.

These Are The Creepiest Natural Wonders You Can Actually Visit

Location

Crystal Brackett

Lists and lists of the things that make each US State unique, from the weirdest laws to the most popular drinks and dog breeds to the shows residents are streaming most on Netflix.

This Is America

America

The Centers for Disease Control was thoughtful enough to compile a study of the deadliest animal by state, which was then <a href="http://mentalfloss.com/article/519289/animal-most-likely-kill-you-each-state" target="_blank">made into a cute little coded&nbsp;map</a> early in 2018. The map shows which animal is most likely to kill you by&nbsp;state, or at least what type of animal is the most dangerous.The most common culprits are large mammals, domestic dogs, and stinging insects, and for some states the answer may be very different from what you would expect. However, it is important to note that the total number of animal-related deaths is pretty low,&nbsp;and about 20% of the states didn't actually have enough data to be included in the CDC's report.The <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/poisonous-animals-how-quickly-they-kill/aaron-edwards" target="_blank">deadly animals</a> in the US might not be a daily concern for most of us,&nbsp;but there isn't any harm in checking out which animal is most likely to kill you in your home state.

The Animal Most Likely To Kill You From Each State

Rachel Souerbry

Despite the fact you're more likely to be <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/being-hit-by-lightning-photo/hugh-landman?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">struck by lightning</a> than be attacked by a grizzly, terrifying bear attacks do still&nbsp;take place. When bear attack survivors share their stories, like other <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/wild-animal-attack-survivors/jen-jeffers" target="_blank">animal attack survivors</a>, the tales provide valuable information on how to behave in a similar situation. Bears are&nbsp;deadly creatures,&nbsp;and survivors often live because they remembered training in what to do&nbsp;and, in many cases, were just plain lucky.It is truly harrowing to be <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/what-is-a-bear-attack-like/jacob-shelton" target="_blank">mauled by a bear</a>. The powerful creatures use their sharp claws and teeth to bite and scratch at their victim's&nbsp;body, crushing bone and ripping flesh in the process. Many people who survive emerge with terrible scars or are left with physical challenges to overcome. These bear attack survivors shared their stories of coming face-to-face with one of nature's most powerful creatures—and explained how they survived.

People Describe Their Harrowing Bear Attack Stories

14 People Describe Their Harrowing Bear Attack Stories

Erin McCann

Adorable animals playing, posing, helping, hiding, eating, and waiting for you to pet them.

All Creatures, Great and Small

These fat, adorable animals are what I would look like if I were any of these animals. These are the fattest animals on the Internet in all their obese glory. There are some fat animals whose owners obviously let them eat the vanilla part of the Neapolitan, and there are other obese animals who just don&#39;t give a crap. The fat dogs who just stare their owners down during a game of fetch until the poor bastard who threw the frisbee has to go get it while his fat dog stares at him and laughs: these are those a-hole pets.

In case you&#39;re wondering, there&#39;s no shortage of morbidly obese animals on the Internet. There are fat animal pics of everything from obese dogs, enormous cats, obese skunks, and even the odd fat bear are here in this list. Some of these fat pets you&#39;ll look at and wonder what their humans were thinking, others you&#39;re going to want to steal just so you can invite people over to gaze at your crazy fat cat.

Basically, if you don&#39;t enjoy these pictures of fat animals, you are a waste of a human being. There are fat hedgehogs, for pete&#39;s sake! Big, spiny balls of obese hedgehogs. They are the best. Now stop reading this and gaze at the fattest pets and obese animals you have ever seen. And vote for the obese corgis, fat hamsters, huge pugs, giant cats, massive wombats, and big bears you think are the coolest or cutest animals in this fat animal pictures roundup.

If you haven&#39;t gazed upon enough animal awesomeness when you&#39;re done here, check out the <a href="/crowdranked-list/cutest-baby-animals" target="_blank">cutest baby animals list</a> and this assortment of the <a href="/profile-of/cutest-animal-videos">cutest animal videos</a>.

The 50 Fattest Animals in Internet History

Fat Animals | The 50 Best Pictures of Obese Animals (Cute)

Danielle Dauenhauer

Cuddle Corner

Parenting

Adorable baby animals: Everyone loves them. But which young animals are actually the cutest? <a href="/list/cute-bear-cubs/jude-newsome" target="_blank">Bear cubs</a>? Kittens? Puppies? Until now, science has had no way to decide... But if you vote for the sweetest, most cuddly, most adorable baby animals on this CrowdRanked list - and make a list with your own suggestions - perhaps we can finally get an answer.

What makes certain baby animals so cute? Some have argued it&#39;s having facial symmetry, or proportionally larger eyes. Others may cite the degree of difference between the species appearance as an adult vs. in infancy (as with, for example, the hippopotamus.) Fortunately, the Internet is a massive and valuable resource for finding cute baby animal photos, so we should have little trouble narrowing down the field.

For more cute, check out the <a href="/list/the-20-greatest-babies-in-internet-history/ariel-kana" target="_blank">Greatest Babies in Internet History</a>.

Baby Animals That Will Melt Even the Coldest of Hearts

Animals with the Cutest Babies

Cute Baby Animals List | Most Adorable Baby Animal Photos

Lists about the beautiful, fascinating, sometimes terrifying features and living things that naturally developed on this spinning rock we all call home.

Our Amazing Planet Earth

TV Trivia

The Planet Earth series has been a massive hit for the BBC for over a decade. The production costs are huge, and each season takes years to put together. We know that some photographers&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2302399/A-real-birds-eye-view-Photographer-hides-fake-SWAN-close-wildlife-shots.html" target="_blank">go to great lengths</a> to capture animal subjects, while others take shortcuts to <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/facts-about-nature-documentaries-that-will-ruin-them/justin-andress" target="_blank">fake the footage</a> they need.&nbsp;So how is Planet Earth really made?With the recent release of a documentary that explores the making&nbsp;of Planet Earth, the BBC is giving viewers an inside look at the series' production methods. The documentary depicts long weeks spent on location, dangerous animal encounters, and even geopolitical incidents. The making of Planet Earth is a labor of love for everyone involved in the project. Various production teams have risked their lives and committed countless hours to capturing the magic of the natural world.

The Making Of Planet Earth Is Even More Mind-Blowing Than The Series Itself

Weird Nature lists at Ranker - the ultimate source for lists and rankings in all categories

Weird Nature lists on Ranker

Weird Nature lists at Ranker - the ultimate source for hundreds of Weird Nature lists and rankings.

A look at some of the oldest known, recorded, and/or existing things on earth.

Old School Cool

This list of the oldest living things on Earth, including the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/longest-living-animals/robert-desalvo" target="_blank">oldest animals</a>, species, and organisms, will definitely make you feel young. You could probably nitpick some of these life forms within a million years here, a million years there... but the fact remains that these animals have been around a loooong time. What are the oldest living organisms on earth? And more importantly how have they stuck around this long?

These ancient organisms have been around for millions, or ever billions of years and have achieved apparent perfection in their environment. Millennia have passed, and they keep on keeping on. Sure, a tail might shorten, an extra tentacle might grow, or they might develop a more streamlined coat of armor... but, like that guy you know with the haircut he&#39;s had since high school, these animals have asked themselves the question: Why change it if it&#39;s working?

These are the oldest living things on the planet, and they just might still be here long after we are nothing more than fossils found buried in a pile of styrofoam take-out boxes.

The 10 Oldest Living Things On Earth

The Oldest Animal on Earth (and the Oldest Living Things)

analise.dubner

Stories, pics, trivia, and interesting tidbits about all creatures, great and small.

Enter the Animal Kingdom

Smarts

List of the world's smartest animals, in order of their animal intelligence ranking. When putting this list of the smartest animals in the world together, I had to give myself criteria to follow. A complex brain is not a factor so much as the ability to use creative thinking. Sure, these are my own standards, and some might complain that this list is decidedly anthropomorphic– seeing as how I'm judging these smart animals by obvious human criteria. For example, why should creative thinking mean one animal is smarter than another animal that can remember the location of 2,200 individual nuts it buried over 2 years? That's just how I decided to do it. To me, creative thinking makes an animal smart, not memorization. I couldn't limit myself to a list of just the top 10 smartest animals because that would have eliminated some incredibly smart and creative creatures. What is the smartest animal in the world? Check out this list of nerdy mammals to find out which of our pets will ultimately rule the planet when humans go extinct!

Out Of All The Animals On Earth, These 15 Are The Smartest

Smartest Animals: List of Most Intelligent Animal Ranking

Lists about phobias: the things we're scared of and why we are afraid of them.

What Are You So Afraid Of?

Popular Opinion

We're all more scared of one thing than another. Maybe it's the idea of being mauled by a Grizzly or having spiders crawl in your ear while you're sleeping. Maybe it's just the IDEA that a snake might be nearby. Whatever it is, vote on the animal that scares you the most, and of course, feel free to add any of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/frightening-facts-about-the-world-s-scariest-animals/aaron-edwards?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">scariest animals in the world</a> that might be missing from this list.Any list of the scariest animals in the world will likely include sharks, spiders, and snakes. But what terrifies one person might not scare another at all. It's interesting to look at why certain animals strike fear, and others don't. Is it because many of the animals listed here are potentially deadly? Some spiders' bites can be horrible, but <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/10-amazing-things-about-spiders/analise.dubner" target="_blank">spiders can also be pretty amazing.</a> Sure, but that doesn't explain why cockroaches freak people out (if you don't believe me, just check the list, and see the votes for yourself). It's highly unlikely that you'll be done in by a killer cockroach – so what gives? Well, they're creepy, they're crawly and (depending on where you live) they *can* fly. That qualifies as scary.And yes, some of the scariest animals listed here, we'll never ever encounter in real life. Oh, we might see a great white shark in an aquarium or on TV during <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/full-list-of-shark-week-episodes/reference" target="_blank">Shark Week</a>, but really? The odds of us actually coming face to face with a great white are pretty slim. Still, we've all seen Jaws, so that sucker shoots to the top of the list. And bats: Yes, some believe they are scary, but there are a lot of <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/top-10-untrue-myths-about-animals/analise.dubner" target="_blank">myths surrounding these and other animals</a> that, if you knew more, might make them a bit less terrifying.Which animals scare you the most? Are they insects? Reptiles? Mammals (and yes, this includes man)? Time to vote!

Animals You Should Hope to Never See in the Wild

The Scariest Animals in the World

Lists of bizarre real headlines and 100% true actual news stories from the physical world in which we all really live that are stranger, scarier, and more depressing than any fiction writer could ever dream.

Unbelievable News

Nothing good is going to come of a situation that involves being in a cage with a wild&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/cute-dangerous-animals/ranker-science" target="_blank">animal</a> at the zoo. And yet, people keep putting themselves in situations where &mdash;&nbsp;despite warnings from the zoo and others around them &mdash;&nbsp;they come face-to-face with lions, tigers, and bears. Some of these people were taken out by&nbsp;a caged animal; others were merely assaulted by a captive wild beast.&nbsp;

These are the tales of the outlandish&nbsp;and sometimes most inebriated people to ever jump the fence at a zoo.&nbsp;