Natural History

Babi Besar's Abondoned Resort

An island that was once a pirtate hideout carries hidden treasures, including an abondoned resort and captivating coral reef.

Babi Besar Island is a small island (4km or 2.5 miles long) praised for its stunning coral reefs and marine life. The white sandy beaches attract visitors from Malaysia’s mainland, and it’s a... »

Watery Wonders, Anomalous Islands, Natural History, Odd Accommodations, Bizarre Restaurants and Bars, Incredible Ruins | Edited by katiebaker4

Town of Grafton, Vermont, US

The Nature Museum Feejee Mermaid

Antique gaffe kept in the basement of a small Vermont natural history museum

The Nature Museum in Grafton, VT, is a small natural history museum in a converted house that is dedicated to Vermont flora, fauna, and geology. It houses quite a few treasures in its handful of... »

Museums and Collections, Natural History, Hunting and Taxidermy | Edited by JWOcker and Rachel

Town of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, US

Libby Museum

The 100-year-old public collection of a New Hampshire dentist that contains taxidermy, Native American artifacts, and a pair of mummy hands

By profession, Henry Libby was a dentist, however his passion was being a collector…of pretty much everything, including natural, anthropological, and historical wonders worth studying for... »

Museums and Collections, Natural History, Unique Collections, Hunting and Taxidermy | Edited by JWOcker and Rachel

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Thailand

The Elephant Kraal of Ayutthaya

This elephant kraal is the only one remaining in Thailand, dating back to the 16th century when these massive mammals were integral players in war and trade.

The elephant kraal of Ayutthaya is an unusual structure that was used during the 16th century Ayutthaya kingdom to entrap wild elephants for the Thai army. In fact, an elephant entrapment ceremony... »

Natural History, Hunting and Taxidermy, Crime and Punishment | Edited by katiebaker4 and Rachel

Harrison Rock, Seychelles

Moyenne Island

English newspaper editor buys abandoned island for £8,000, and transforms it into a tortoise nature preserve worth 34 million Euros that is now the smallest national park in the world

Many of us fantasize about what we would do with our own island. Brendon Grimshaw turned his fantasy into a wondrous reality - a flora and fauna preserve, primarily housing over 100 land... »

Anomalous Islands, Extraordinary Flora, Fascinating Fauna, Natural History | Edited by Rachel

Flagstaff, Arizona, US

Coconino Lava River Cave

Eons ago, a rushing lava river formed this pristine passage through solid rock

Lava does weird things. When it flows from a volcano or some other fiery leak in the earth's crust, its surface cools and hardens in the open air, but a viscous molten core continues to flow... »

Fiery Wonders, Martian Landscapes, Geological Oddities, Curious Caves, Natural History, Subterranean Sites | Edited by Mark_Casey and Rachel

Township of Vermillion (inactive), South Dakota, US

Spirit Mound Historic Prairie

Known as "The Hill of the Little Devils"

Spirit Mound Historic Prairie is a state park in Clay County, South Dakota, featuring a prominent hill on the Great Plains (the highest elevation for a radius of scores of miles; probably over... »

Geological Oddities, Natural History, Lost Tribes | Edited by KevinRiley and Rachel

Indianapolis, Indiana, US

Indianapolis Moon Tree

A 30-year-old Sycamore tree grown from a seed taken to the moon and back

The front lawn arboretum of the Indiana Statehouse counts several commemorative and interesting trees among its display, and it's up to visitors to decide just how special they actually are.... »

Extraordinary Flora, Strange Science, Natural History, Unique Collections | Edited by Mark_Casey and Dylan

Lausanne, Switzerland

Palais de Rumine

Florentine Renaissance style building in Switzerland, home to the world's largest taxidermy Great White Shark

This lavish building, situated in the equally beautiful city of Lausanne, owes its construction and namesake to Gabriel de Rumine, the son of Russian nobility. Upon his death bed Gabriel... »

Museums and Collections, Natural History, Unique Collections, Architectural Oddities, Repositories of Knowledge | Edited by TrevorShawnElia, Rachel and others

Berlin, Germany

Berlin Botanical Garden

Started as a kitchen garden, now the second largest botanical garden in the world

Established as a kitchen garden in 1679, the Botanical Garden in Berlin is the second largest botanical garden in the world, second only to Kew Gardens, located in England. The garden evolved... »

Extraordinary Flora, Natural History, Horticultural Marvels | Edited by Rachel and Dylan