This Man Found An Explorers Old Photo Album That Reveals What He Encountered Hidden In The Jungle
Tropical forests, with their rich flora and fauna, are home to many strange and surprising things. Here are some interesting discoveries from these forests.
1. **Sigiriya, Sri Lanka**:
Sigiriya, or “Lion’s Rock,” is called the eighth wonder of the world, although it is not officially recognized like the other seven. It consists of ancient murals painted before the Christian era, located in an ancient citadel on top of a rocky mountain.
2. **Strange Hybrids**:
A man named Adrien Pasco found a photo album of his grandfather, which contained a strange photo of a creature that looked like a combination of an elephant and a bat. Surprisingly, this photo was taken before modern photo editing technology.
3. **Hang Son Doong, Vietnam**:
This is the largest cave in the world, with its own ecosystem inside. The cave is also famous for a mysterious creature, believed to be an unverified reptile.
4. **The Corpse Flower**:
The Titan Arum or “corpse flower” is famous for its foul, corpse-like odor. Although the smell is unpleasant, it attracts pollinators, which help the flower grow. It is also the largest flower in the world, measuring up to 3.3 feet in diameter.
5. **The Lost City of the Monkey God**:
An archaeological team has been exploring the rainforests of Honduras to find the legendary “White City.” The city is said to be deep in the jungle and may include palaces and ceremonial buildings.
6. **The Boiling River in Peru**:
The Chenet T Pishka River, also known as the “boiling river,” is one of the few rivers in the world with water hot enough to boil. The water in this river can reach temperatures ranging from 113°F to 212°F (45°C to 100°C), created by geothermal activity.
7. **The World’s Largest Crystal**:
Discovered in 2000, the “Cave of Crystals” in Mexico is a cave with giant quartz crystals, which can be as long as a utility pole. These crystals are formed in a special temperature and humidity environment underground.
8. **Caracol Ancient City**:
The ancient city of Caracol, a Mayan relic in Belize, was once a political center and was much larger than modern cities. The city was covered in jungle after being abandoned more than 2,000 years ago.
9. **Okapi**:
The Okapi, which looks like a cross between a giraffe and a zebra, was first discovered in 1901. It lives primarily in the rainforests of the Congo, and scientists are only now beginning to fully understand what it is.
10. **Ankor Wat in Cambodia**:
One of Southeast Asia’s most important archaeological sites, Angkor Wat in Cambodia is an ancient Hindu-Buddhist temple complex. The temples are slowly being reclaimed by nature, but remain a popular tourist destination.
11. **Jaguar Police in Brazil**: Jaguars are endangered due to deforestation and hunting. Conservation areas like the Jaguar Reserve in Brazil help protect the species and also attract tourists on wildlife tours.
The White City:
Over 200 documented locations in the region, including settlements, artifacts, and petroglyphs, suggest the existence of an ancient city known as the White City. The search for this city, steeped in local folklore, continues, with researchers and explorers still trying to uncover its secrets.
Temple of the Inscriptions:
Situated in Chiapas, Mexico, the Temple of the Inscriptions is a prominent Maya site, part of the ancient city of Palenque. Built as a funerary monument for a ruler who reigned for 70 years, the temple is renowned for the numerous hieroglyphic texts inscribed on its walls. These inscriptions have provided invaluable insights into Maya civilization, particularly the history of Palenque’s royal family and their beliefs.
Fire-Tailed Titi Monkey:
In 2011, a previously unknown species of Titi monkey was discovered in the Amazon rainforest of Southern Brazil. Characterized by its reddish-orange tail and distinct markings, the Firetail Titi monkey (Milton’s Titi monkey) was confirmed as a new species. This discovery adds to the biodiversity of the Amazon, which is home to over 30 different species of Titi monkeys.
Ancient City of Uxmal:
Located on the Yucatán Peninsula, Uxmal is one of the most significant archaeological sites of the ancient Maya civilization. The city is known for its unique architecture, such as the Pyramid of the Magician, and its legends, including the tale of a dwarf king who allegedly built the city in a single night. Uxmal’s buildings feature smooth, low walls and ornate frescoes, with representations of the rain god Chaac.
Amazonian Floating Forests:
In Brazil’s Amazon, floating islands known as “matupas” form on floodplains. These islands, made of densely packed aquatic and semi-aquatic plant life, can grow up to 10 feet thick and span acres of land. Although feared for their association with dangerous creatures like giant anacondas, locals use these floating islands for agriculture, such as watermelon cultivation. The islands’ rich biodiversity, including manatees, jaguars, and numerous bird species, contributes to their mystique.
Giant Anteaters:
Found in Central and South America, giant anteaters are typically peaceful creatures known for their long noses and sharp claws, which they use to dig into ant and termite mounds. However, if threatened, they can stand on their hind legs and use their claws as weapons. These powerful claws are strong enough to seriously injure or even kill a human, despite the anteater’s generally docile nature.
Glow-in-the-Dark Mushrooms:
Discovered in 1840 by English botanist George Gardner, and then lost until rediscovered in 2009, the glow-in-the-dark mushroom is a bioluminescent fungus found in Brazil’s rainforest. The mushroom’s ability to glow in the dark is a rare and mysterious feature, and finding it requires special efforts. Researchers must venture into the jungle during a new moon and navigate the dark, dangerous forest, avoiding snakes and jaguars, to collect specimens. The mushrooms’ elusive nature makes them a rare and fascinating find.