They say knowledge is power, but there are still so many things that remain mysterious. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the world around us. Delving into creepy facts might just add to that feeling or satisfy a morbid curiosity. From strange animal behaviors to unsettling trivia about Disneyland, here are 25 facts you dare to explore them.
Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean Ride Once Featured Real Skeletons
The original Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland featured real human skeletons because the fake ones were deemed unconvincing by Disney engineers. They turned to the UCLA anatomy department to obtain the real deal. Although these skeletons were eventually replaced with artificial ones, many believe that some real bones remain to this day.
Wes Craven’s “A Nightmare on Elm Street” Was Inspired by a True Story
The chilling tale behind “A Nightmare on Elm Street” was inspired by an article Wes Craven read in the LA Times about a boy who suffered from terrifying nightmares and refused to sleep. Tragically, the boy died in his sleep after eventually succumbing to exhaustion, screaming for help as he did.
The U.S. Has Up to 50 Active Serial Killers
According to the FBI, as many as 50 serial killers may currently be active in the United States. Some experts, like homicide archivist Thomas Hargrove, speculate the number could be as high as 3,000 to 4,000.
It’s Not Unusual for Children to Hear Voices
Hearing voices isn’t just a plot point in horror movies; around 8% of children hear voices, which is as common as conditions like asthma or dyslexia. While unsettling, it’s considered a normal part of childhood development.
Your Bed Could Be a Haven for Millions of Dust Mites
Your cozy bed may harbor up to 10 million dust mites, feasting on dead skin cells and multiplying in the warm environment of your bedding. This creepy fact is a reminder to wash your sheets regularly.
The Island of Dolls in Mexico is Said to Be Haunted
Isla de las Muñecas, or the Island of the Dolls, is one of the most haunted places on Earth. The island is covered with dolls, believed to be inhabited by the spirit of a little girl who drowned there. The island’s caretaker, who found her, began hanging dolls to appease her restless spirit, but tourists claim the dolls sometimes move or whisper.
Zoroastrians Leave Their Dead to Be Eaten by Vultures
Zoroastrians traditionally leave their dead in towers called “dakhma” to be consumed by vultures. This practice is rooted in the belief that burying or burning the dead would contaminate sacred elements like earth, water, air, and fire.
Aztec Priests Believed Children’s Tears Could End Droughts
Aztec priests practiced human sacrifice, including that of children, believing that their tears could bring rain during droughts. This horrifying ritual was meant to appease the gods, particularly Huitzilopochtli, the sun god.
The Devil’s Bible is an Alleged Pact Between a Monk and Satan
The Codex Gigas, also known as the Devil’s Bible, is the largest known Latin manuscript and contains a full-page portrait of Satan. Legend has it that a monk, condemned to death, made a pact with the devil to complete the manuscript in one night in exchange for his soul.
Sedlec Ossuary in the Czech Republic is Adorned with Human Bones
Sedlec Ossuary, a Roman Catholic church in the Czech Republic, is decorated with the bones of around 40,000 people. The bones are arranged in various artistic forms, including a chandelier and garlands, making it one of the creepiest churches in the world.
Ancient Romans Drank Gladiator Blood for Strength
Ancient Romans believed that consuming the blood of fallen gladiators would transfer their strength and bravery to the drinker. Spectators at the Colosseum would rush to collect the blood after a gladiator’s death.
Being Buried Alive Was Common Enough to Invent Safety Coffins
Accidental burial was such a fear in 17th-century England that safety coffins were invented. These coffins featured mechanisms like bells or flags that the prematurely buried could activate to signal for help.
The Mutter Museum Displays Mutations and Anatomical Oddities
The Mutter Museum in Philadelphia showcases various human mutations, tumors, and other anatomical curiosities. Known as “disturbingly informative,” the museum provides a glimpse into the macabre side of medical history.
You Inhale Dead Skin Cells Daily
When you see dust floating in the air, a significant portion of it is likely made up of dead skin cells. It’s estimated that 15% of what you breathe in during a train ride could be dead skin particles from fellow passengers.
The Island of Poveglia in Italy is Considered the Most Haunted
Poveglia Island, off the coast of Italy, was used as a quarantine station during the plague and later as a mental asylum. It’s rumored to be haunted by the spirits of the thousands who died there, and the island is now off-limits to visitors.
Bloodletting Was a Common Medical Practice in the 18th Century
In the 18th century, bloodletting was believed to balance one’s health by draining excess blood. This practice was used for a wide range of ailments, though it often did more harm than good.
King Charles II Drank Alcohol Mixed with Human Skulls
King Charles II of England consumed a concoction known as “King’s Drops,” which was a mixture of alcohol and powdered human skulls. He believed this grisly drink promoted good health.
Chainsaws Were Originally Invented for Childbirth
In the 18th century, Scottish doctors John Aitken and James Jeffray invented the chainsaw prototype to assist in difficult childbirths by cutting through the mother’s pelvis. The device was much smaller than modern chainsaws but still incredibly painful and invasive.
Ancient Egyptians Removed Brains Through the Nose
During mummification, ancient Egyptians would remove the brain by inserting a hook through the nostril and pulling it out piece by piece. The process, known as excerebration, was necessary to prepare the body for the afterlife.
Medical Errors Cause Hundreds of Thousands of Deaths Annually
Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States, causing approximately 250,000 deaths each year. These preventable errors include misdiagnoses, surgical mistakes, and incorrect treatments.
Some Trees Can Grow Inside Human Lungs
There have been cases where doctors discovered trees growing inside human lungs. This can happen when a seed is inhaled and begins to sprout, as in the case of a man in Russia who had a 5 cm fir tree branch growing in his lung.
Ancient Romans Used Human Teeth for Dentures
In the 1800s, dentists created dentures using teeth from deceased individuals, often taken from soldiers who died in battle. These “Waterloo teeth” were considered high-quality replacements at the time.
Sleepwalking Has Been Used as a Legal Defense for Murder
The “sleepwalking defense” has been used in court to acquit defendants accused of murder. The argument is that the person was not in control of their actions due to being in a sleep-like state, and thus, not responsible for the crime.
Chainsaws Were Originally Invented for Childbirth
In the 18th century, Scottish doctors John Aitken and James Jeffray invented the chainsaw prototype to assist in difficult childbirths by cutting through the mother’s pelvis. The device was much smaller than modern chainsaws but still incredibly painful and invasive.
The Ocean Is Largely Unexplored
Only about 10% of the ocean has been explored, leaving vast areas uncharted and full of unknown creatures. The deep sea remains one of the most mysterious and least understood parts of our planet.