Documentaries help us gain insider knowledge and more depth in certain important social issues. They also provide new conversation fodder in our day-to-day lives. When we see scandal, corruption, evil, and injustice play out on our screens at home, we begin to feel personally involved.

The key figures in the following shocking documentaries have all been exposed in such a way that their reputations and careers have never fully recovered. On these occasions, the camera was able to capture more than the subject ever intended.

10 Blackfish (2013)

Blackfish centers around an orca named Tilikum as well as the death of a SeaWorld killer whale trainer named Dawn Brancheau, who was dragged underwater by Tilikum. This was not the first violent incident involving Tilikum, who had previously dragged a trainer underwater. Luckily, that trainer survived. In 1999, a man named Daniel P. Dukes was found dead in Tilikum’s tank under suspicious circumstances.

Blackfish claimed that Tilikum and the other killer whales held in captivity were victims of cruel circumstances. These social animals were separated from their families and placed in tanks the size of only two lengths of their bodies. The ill effects of their captivity are indicated by their drooping dorsal fins—something seen in only one percent of wild killer whales.

There was widespread anger after the documentary was released, and SeaWorld suffered a $15.9 million loss due to low audience attendance. In 2018, SeaWorld and its former CEO were also ordered to pay $5 million in fines “to settle fraud charges for misleading investors about the impact the documentary film Blackfish had on the company’s reputation and business.”^[1]

9 Living With Michael Jackson (2003)

Journalist Martin Bashir had unprecedented access to Michael Jackson’s life for his fly-on-the-wall documentary Living with Michael Jackson, released in 2003. The documentary focuses on life at the Neverland Ranch, where the singer reveals that disadvantaged children are invited to sleep in his bed while he sleeps on the bedroom floor.

Bashir intended to focus on the King of Pop’s career but portrayed a very uncomfortable side to the musician instead. In one controversial scene, Jackson was seen holding hands with a 13-year-old boy on camera. Jackson made an official complaint to the independent television commission, stating he had been “unfairly treated.” He said, “Martin Bashir persuaded me to trust him. [ . . . ] Today I feel more betrayed than perhaps ever before.” He added, “Everyone who knows me will know the truth [ . . . ] that I would never harm any child.”^[2]

In 2019, a new documentary titled Leaving Neverland focused on two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who alleged they were sexually abused by Jackson as children. Following its release, many radio stations decided to boycott the singer’s hit songs.

8 Going Clear: Scientology And The Prison Of Belief (2015)

Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief is a controversial commentary on the Church of Scientology and its founder, L. Ron Hubbard. Director Alex Gibney claims the church draws in followers for money while subjecting them to physical and psychological degradation. Also highlighted is the war between the IRS and the church, which is exempt from paying any taxes on the basis of religion.

According to a former church spokesman, Tom Cruise’s ex-wife Nicole Kidman was deemed a “potential trouble source” because her father was a psychologist—a profession that Scientology is against. The documentary alleges that Kidman’s phone was tapped, and Cruise had to report daily on his relationship status. Actor John Travolta was also labeled as a key figure for the brainwashing cult in the stunning expose.

Lawrence Wright, who wrote the book that led to the film, said, “[The church] always wanted celebrities who could sell Scientology. [ . . . ] We hold people like Tom Cruise and John Travolta and others responsible for not demanding change inside that church.”^[3]

7 Surviving R. Kelly (2019)

The docuseries Surviving R. Kelly caused such public outcry that record label RCA, which is owned by Sony Music, cut all ties with R. Kelly. They removed his name from their website following an online petition which gained more than 110,000 signatures.

The singer-songwriter, real name Robert Kelly, reportedly married singer Aaliyah in 1994 and falsified the records to make her appear 18 years old when she was just 15 at the time. The brief marriage was later annulled. Kelly’s former personal assistant revealed, “I had papers forged for them when Aaliyah was underage. It was just a quick little ceremony. She didn’t have on a white dress. He didn’t have on a tux. Just everyday wear. She looked worried and scared.”^[4]

According to his former victims and their families, Kelly abused and manipulated dozens of young women and girls over the years. His former backing singer, Jovante Cunningham, stated, “He destroyed a lot of people. I can’t stress to you enough how people are still suffering behind things that went on 20 years ago.”

6 Making A Murderer (2015)

Former district attorney Ken Kratz was one of the central figures in the Netflix docuseries Making A Murderer, which premiered in December 2015. Kratz prosecuted Steven Avery and Branden Dassey for the murder of Teresa Halbach in 2005. Dassey was just 16 years old when he was convicted; he had learning difficulties and a below-average IQ.

Following the release of the documentary, Kratz became Public Enemy Number One when his own crimes were brought into the spotlight. In 2010, the Associated Press reported Kratz had sent “repeated text messages trying to spark an affair with a domestic abuse victim while he was prosecuting her ex-boyfriend.” According to police reports, two more women came forward claiming they had resigned from his office due to sexual harassment.

In 2014, the Wisconsin Supreme Court suspended Kratz for four months, stating, “This was exploitative behavior, harassing behavior, and a crass placement of his personal interests above those of his client, the State of Wisconsin.” Kratz was ordered to pay the costs of disciplinary proceedings—an amount that bankrupted him.^[5]

5 The Case Of: JonBenet Ramsey (2016)

On December 26, 1996, six-year-old JonBenet Ramsey was found dead in the basement of her family home in Boulder, Colorado. Her father found her body eight hours after she was reported missing. There was also a handwritten ransom note discovered in the house, demanding $118,000 for the safe return of JonBenet.

In 2016, CBS aired the docuseries The Case of: JonBenet Ramsey to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the child’s death. Former investigators of the original case and forensic experts came together to reexamine the murder. They built a new theory that suggested JonBenet’s brother Burke, who was nine years old at the time of the crime, bludgeoned his sister to death, and the parents covered for him.

Burke Ramsey then sued CBS for $750 million. His lawyers stated, “The accusation that Burke Ramsey killed his sister was based on a compilation of lies, half-truths, manufactured information, and the intentional omission and avoidance of truthful information about the murder of JonBenet Ramsey.” The lawsuit was settled privately, and the case of JonBenet Ramsey is still unsolved.^[6]

4 Nanook Of The North (1922)

Nanook of the North, released in 1922, focused on the life of great Inuit hunter Nanook. The documentary showed Nanook and his family surviving the powerful elements of Northern Canada. Director Robert Flaherty explained, “What I want to show is the former majesty and character of these people, while it is still possible—before the white man has destroyed not only their character but the people as well.”^[7]

Flaherty was criticized for heavily staging the “real-life” events depicted in the film. Nanook can be seen harpooning a walrus and dragging it out of the Arctic waters, although the Inuit had stopped walrus-hunting a long time prior. Nanook’s igloo was proven to be a film set with a missing wall because filming inside a real igloo was too dark.

Another staged moment was when Nanook was introduced to a gramophone for the first time, and he attempted to eat the vinyl, yet Nanook knew what vinyl was long before this film. It was also revealed that Flaherty had created Nanook’s “family” much like a casting call.

3 Icarus (2017)

Filmmaker Bryan Fogel uncovered the dark truth about doping in sports for his 2017 documentary Icarus. The documentary focuses on an alleged doping program overseen by the Russian Sports Ministry which involved coaches, officials, and politicians. Whistle-blower Grigory Rodchenkov, former director of the Moscow anti-doping laboratory, fled to the US, where he went into hiding and is now protected by US authorities.

Speaking on a panel at the Sundance Film Festival, banned Olympian Lance Armstrong agreed with the level of corruption in sports. He said, “My situation five years ago, when [my doping use] came out, the organizations—USADA (The United States Anti-Doping Agency), WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) [ . . . ] the declarations [they made] were pretty strong: ‘He’s biggest fraud in the history of sport’; ‘The most sophisticated doping program that ever existed’. We don’t need to debate whether or not those statements are true, but those are strong statements. But underneath all of that you have a system that really doesn’t work that well.”^[8]

2 The Panama Papers (2018)

In 2018, The Panama Papers detailed how more than 300 reporters from 80 different countries came together to investigate offshore accounts. More than 11.5 million documents, dubbed the “Panama Papers,” were leaked by an anonymous source. The documents detailed such things as corporations that were used for illegal purposes, including fraud and tax evasion. Offshore accounts originally exploited by criminal kingpins are now tax havens for the wealthy. The financial information of many prominent public figures was exposed.

In 2017, another leak, dubbed the “Paradise Papers,” occurred. Famous names involved in this shocking expose included singer Shakira for transferring more than £30 million in musical rights to an offshore firm; Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton, who avoided paying taxes on his £16.5 million private jet; pop star Madonna, shown to be a major shareholder in a medical supply company in Bermuda; and the estate of the queen of England, which invested more than £10 million offshore in the Cayman Islands and Bermuda. However, Queen Elizabeth II was not personally involved in the investments.^[9]

1 The Staircase (2004, 2013, 2018)

On December 9, 2001, well-known author Michael Peterson discovered his wife, Kathleen, lying unconscious at the bottom of the stairs in their Forest Hills mansion in North Carolina. He claimed she must have fallen down the stairs after consuming alcohol, but the autopsy report concluded that she had sustained severe head injuries consistent with blows from a blunt object. The report stated Kathleen died from blood loss at least 90 minutes after those injuries occurred.

Peterson decided to take an “Alford plea,” which meant that he did not admit guilt but still plead guilty. In 2012 and 2013, Peterson took part in a follow-up to the docuseries The Staircase (which originally aired in France in 2004) with the intention to prove his innocence. In 2018, The Staircase was made available on Netflix, along with three new episodes providing further updates. However, the docuseries caused a very different reaction from audiences, as theories online all pointed toward Peterson’s guilt.

Director Jean Xavier de-Lestrade admitted, “[A producer] was completely convinced that it was a murder and Michael Peterson did it.” Even Lestrade himself is still unsure, explaining, “After 15 years following the case, and after spending weeks, months, and years with Michael Peterson and his family, I still can’t tell you I am convinced by something.”^[10]

Cheish Merryweather is a true crime fan and an oddities fanatic. Can either be found at house parties telling everyone Charles Manson was only 5’2″ or at home reading true crime magazines.
Twitter: @thecheish

Oysters, avocados, chocolate, honey: We’ve all heard that certain foods are supposed to arouse your passions when you eat them. What’s less known is the history and folklore behind these foods, which explain just how they came to be known as tools for the love-struck.

10Oysters

The famous lover Casanova reportedly started each day with 50 oysters to prepare himself for the afternoon’s exertions. Oysters were also said to be present at the equally famous Roman orgies, and Roman doctors even prescribed them as a cure for impotence. Part of the reason for their association with love is their distinctly labial appearance, but the association also comes from the animal’s reproductive cycle.

Oysters release a flood of reproductive material directly into the water. This allows fertilization to occur externally, but people picturing the lumpy little creatures reproducing fire-hose style imagined an exhibition of great sexual prowess. And well before we knew just how oysters reproduce, they were closely associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of love and desire. All shellfish were sacred animals to her; she was said to have been born inside a clam shell, and the pearl was her sacred stone.

9Avocado

The avocado was a favorite of Louis XIV, who swore by its ability to refresh his libido. The fruit has a creamy, soft texture and produces a sensual feeling when you eat it. But there’s another, bigger reason for the association.

Avocados hang on the trees in pairs, and they look so much like a certain body part that the Aztec word for avocado was ahuacatl, which also meant “testicle.” When the Spanish encountered Aztec culture, the avocado already had a well-established reputation as one of the fruits of love.

The fruit migrated north, and farmers had to market it to an American audience. They chose a new name to make it easier to pronounce and get rid of the connotation; the avocado’s previous alternate name, the “alligator pear,” wasn’t much more appetizing than “testicle.” The name changed to “avocado,” but its status as an aphrodisiac stuck.

8Almonds

Popular wedding favors include small bundles of candy-coated almonds, and that’s not just because they’re so tasty. The nuts have long been held to be an aphrodisiac, a belief that dates as far back as ancient Greece. Greek couples were blessed with almonds to help ensure a fruitful union, and a superstition said that should an unwed girl place almonds under her pillow, she would dream of her future husband.

In Morocco, the almond is used to transfer a bride’s good fortune to future generations, distributed to children after a couple’s wedding night. And in India, giving almonds to a member of the opposite sex is a clear proposition.

The association between almonds and fertility goes back to the Bible. Numbers 17:1–8 tells the story of rods given to the children of Israel. Aaron, who received the rod for the house of Levi, knew his line would continue when his rod budded, blossomed, and bore almonds. Almonds are also mentioned elsewhere in the Old Testament, with less explicit allusions to reproduction. One reference comes in Jeremiah 1:11. When God asks Jeremiah what he sees before him, he replies that he sees the fruits of the almond tree.

7Pomegranate

The pomegranate is another food whose history goes back to Aphrodite, the goddess who gives the term “aphrodisiac” its name. According to Greek legend, the first pomegranate tree was planted by Aphrodite on the island of Kypros. Its association with her was further cemented by the composition of the pomegranate; open up the fruit, and it’s absolutely filled with seeds.

The pomegranate also became sacred to Hera, and the combination of the two goddesses furthered the pomegranate’s relationship with marriage and reproduction. Opening the pomegranate reveals not only a ton of seeds but also a color associated with the blood of a virgin—and, in turn, associated with the consummation of a marriage.

The pomegranate also appears in the myth of Persephone. Abducted by Hades, she retains the opportunity to return to the surface until she eats the food of the Underworld. She does so, eating a few pomegranate seeds to finalize her union with Hades.

6Toads

Along with the wild habit of licking a toad to induce hallucinations came the use of toad-produced chemicals as aphrodisiacs. As recently as the 1990s, a drug made from these substances caused a string of deaths. The drug (officially called “bufadienolides” but going by street names like “RockHard”) was a deadly interpretation of chemicals long used in Chinese medicine. Thought to be an aphrodisiac, the drug caused first vomiting then cardiac arrest or respiratory failure.

The deaths came after the individuals ingested the drug, but in traditional Chinese medicine, the substance is more often applied topically. Chan su, the substance derived from prepared toad toxins, reduces swelling but stimulates the body. It’s also a numbing agent, and that’s where its aphrodisiac qualities come in. When it’s applied to certain body parts, it reduces sensation and prolongs the duration of sex. But when it’s improperly prepared and then eaten, it becomes deadly.

And in case you’ve ever wondered why the fairy tale princess always kissed a frog or toad to find her prince, that’s no coincidence. She wasn’t just enjoying the hallucinogenic properties of the toad—it may be a nod to the aphrodisiac properties as well.

5Rhino Horn

At the start of the 20th century, the world’s rhino population was somewhere around half a million. By the start of the 21st century, that number had dropped into the thousands with poaching driving the rhino closer and closer to extinction. Numbers have stabilized, but threats to the rhinos aren’t gone yet.

Poachers are fueled by the desire for rhino horns, allegedly a powerful aphrodisiac, because rhino horn has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries. This seems pretty straightforward, but it’s not. Rhino horns have, indeed, been highly valued in Chinese medicine for a wide variety of purposes—warding off nightmares and evil spirits, negating the effects of food poisoning, relieving the pain of arthritis, curing colds and fevers, and even as an antidote to snake bites. One thing absent from the list? Its use as an aphrodisiac.

All that talk about rhino horns being used as an aphrodisiac can be chalked up to a Western misunderstanding that happened somewhere in the 1950s. By the 1960s, the belief had spread enough to be widely quoted, getting a massive boost in popularity when it was repeated by famed anthropologist Louis Leakey.

One practice that might have led to the giant misunderstanding is the Middle Eastern custom of presenting boys with rhino horn daggers as a sign of their coming-of-age. Other uses—such as the Greek belief that the horn could remove poisons and toxins from water and the Persian belief that poisoned liquids poured into a rhino horn vessel would bubble—have little or nothing to do with their supposed aphrodisiac qualities.

4Chocolate

Chocolates dominate store shelves around Valentine’s Day, but the science is still out on just how much of an aphrodisiac chocolate really is. Some studies suggest that while chocolate does contain chemicals that generally make us feel good, they’re in such low doses that they don’t actually do anything.

But chocolate’s position at the top of every list of aphrodisiacs isn’t without precedent. Cultivation and use of the cacao pod has been dated to as far back as 1400 B.C., much further than was long thought.

Plenty of records describe importance of chocolate in the Mayan and Aztec cultures; in both civilizations it was prepared as a drink rather than eaten, as edible chocolate is a much later invention. Often used as a ceremonial drink for the Maya, it was available to the common person as well as being depicted as the drink of the gods. In ceremonies surrounding marriage and betrothals, the couples often drank chocolate as part of the rituals surrounding their change in life status.

It was also incredibly valuable to the Aztecs. Once again a food closely associated with the gods, chocolate was supposed to be the gift to the mortal world from Quetzalcoatl. It got him kicked out of paradise, similar to the Greek story of Prometheus and his gift of fire.

The seeds were used as currency, and the drink itself had a rather morbid use. While it was shared between Aztec couples going through birth and marriage rituals, it was also an important part of sacrificial rites. People sacrificed to the gods were first prepared with a blessing of chocolate. Those sacrifices who weren’t too keen on joining in the preceding celebrations were given an extra dose of chocolate to lift their spirits and get them in the mood.

3Lettuce, The Anti-Aphrodisiac

In addition to the foods thought to heighten sexual awareness, a few were cursed and thought to lower it. In ancient Greece, a wife serving lettuce to her husband was sending a clear and rather cold message: Keep your hands to yourself.

Lettuce was a plant sacred to the goddess Aphrodite, but not for the reason that she held other plants and animals dear. One of her few mortal loves was Adonis, and theirs was as tragic a love story as you ever get in Greek mythology. Apollo’s son Erymanthos saw Adonis and Aphrodite together and was turned into a wild boar as punishment for his spying. He charged and killed Adonis, who had taken refuge in a lettuce field. After his death, Aphrodite placed his body in a bed of lettuce to mourn him, forever associating lettuce with death and impotence. Later, one of her other mortal loves, Phaon, met a similar end.

The association of lettuce with impotence jumped from myth to pseudoscience with a text by the Greek physician Nicander of Colophon. He said that lettuce makes a man impotent no matter how much he desires a woman.

2Honey And Mead

Not many foods have the aphrodisiac credentials of honey. After all, it lends its name to the best part of a wedding: the honeymoon. More precisely, the honeymoon is named for mead, an ancient alcoholic beverage made with honey and long thought to increase the libido—especially among people just married.

The honeymoon goes back to ancient Persia, when couples would spend the 30 days after their wedding drinking mead every evening. They called it the “honey month,” which we’ve turned into the honeymoon. They took the tradition so seriously that if a baby was conceived during the month and was born nine months later, the credit went to the maker of the mead.

In addition to a fertile marriage bed, mead has also been thought to bring wisdom and courage to those who drink it. The Celts have been drinking it since around A.D. 500, and when St. Brigitte performed her Christ-like miracle, she turned the water into mead instead of wine. It wasn’t just an Old World drink, either, as the Aztec and the Maya also drank a form of the honey beverage.

Mead has been made for centuries, and modern science is finding that there’s something to the idea that honey makes newlyweds even more amorous. It contains significant quantities of B vitamins, proteins, and nitric oxides that promote a healthy reproductive system. Mead also lowers inhibitions and wedding night jitters through its alcoholic qualities.

1Garlic

Garlic might seem like the most unlikely of love charms, given its strong and overwhelming smell. But its history as an aphrodisiac is a long one. Passages in the Talmud say that garlic should be eaten on Fridays, because Friday was traditionally the day in which couples would fulfill the duties of the marriage bed.

Garlic has several properties that made it conducive to sexual relations. It was said to bring a warm feeling and a general happiness to the entire body, suppress hunger, increase semen volumes, and (by far, the most romantic) kill any internal parasites present in the body. Some scriptures also say that it works to overcome jealousy and bring two people closer together. (It shouldn’t be eaten before worship, though, lest it offend others.)

However, many other cultures, including the ancient Greeks and Romans, detested garlic and the smell it left. One Muslim legend says garlic and onion plants were born from the last places Satan stepped when he left the Garden of Eden. In India, garlic is on the list of foods that are inappropriate for the higher castes.

In one of the most tragic twists in the stories of an aphrodisiac used by a specific group, garlic was a way in which Nazis recognized Jews. According to the Third Reich, Jews could be identified by their garlic smell, and complaining about the smell of garlic became a racial slur. A symbol of love within marriage turned to just as powerful an insult.

We like to think of the non-meat eating parts of the animal kingdom as friends just waiting to happen. For some reason, the fact they don’t eat meat triggers us to think that these are super nice creatures who would never do us harm, and many times we end up giving animals reputations for kindness that they do not deserve. Animals who are herbivores may not eat meat, but that does not mean they aren’t dangerous to humans — and some of the cutest animals have disgusting secrets that may make them far less endearing to you as you once thought. 

10. Monkeys Have Overrun Delhi, India And Killed The Deputy Mayor

What We Expect: 

Monkeys are known to be mostly harmless pranksters, as far as the majority of people are concerned. They are silly and might fling poo, but for the most part they don’t really cause that much trouble. Plus, they’re fun to watch at the zoo as they get up to all kinds of hijinks. 

The Disturbing Reality: 

Monkeys can gang up on people in areas where the populations get too big and too close to humans, and this was no more apparent than in Delhi, India where monkeys are invasive and cause serious problems for the locals. In Delhi the monkeys attack people and steal their food, and in 2007 they attacked the deputy mayor and killed him by knocking him off his own balcony. 

9. Dolphins Are Believed To Be Friendly But They Are The Bullies Of The Sea

What We Expect:

Dolphins are known for being fun and playful, and there are many alleged accounts of them helping people who are lost at sea. People love to go to dolphin shows, and there are cutesy movies about them. Most people think dolphins are friendly sea buddies who love you and just want to be your friend. 

The Disturbing Reality: 

Dolphins are basically the bullies of the sea. Dolphins have been known to attack porpoises and kill them for no reason, and have committed infanticide among even their own species. To make matters worse, they have been known to capture dolphin females and hold them in a group while they have gang sex with her against her will. There was also a recent incident where a dolphin known as Nick was coming towards children in a harbor while being sexually aggressive, and the children were warned to get out of the water to avoid him. Now, while there are little — if any — records of dolphins killing people, it is a fairly common occurrence for them to bite trainers and kids while in captivity. 

8. Armadillos Are Becoming Trendy But They Can Carry Hansen’s Disease

What We Expect: 

Armadillos can be found in parts of the southern United States and are starting to become a trendy exotic pet. They are not aggressive, they are cute and playful, and they don’t shed since they don’t have fur. Some people buy them from exotic pet dealers, and the laws vary greatly from state to state as to whether you are legally allowed to own one or not. 

The Disturbing Reality:

Armadillos can carry Hansen’s Disease, which is also known as leprosy. You know, that disease from the bible that got people sequestered from the general population. Nowadays there are cures, but it can still cause nerve damage and painful lesions. While it is not super common among American armadillos, it is not a risk worth taking. It should also be noted that Amazonian armadillos are known to be much bigger carriers, at a rate of almost 50 percent. 

7. Koalas Are Cute But They Are Riddled With Chlamydia

What We Expect:

Koalas are basically living teddy bears, even if they aren’t really bears. They look like a cute stuffed animal , they only eat leaves, they are completely and utterly harmless, and it seems like they would make a great pet… at least until you get a bit further into the koala’s biggest problem. 

The Disturbing Reality:

Koalas are actually mostly useless, as they spend almost all their time sleeping, but on top of that, they are actually kind of gross. Koalas are riddled with chlamydia, an STD that can cause infertility and ectopic pregnancies in women. Nearly 100 percent of koalas have chlamydia, and it is leading to a decline in their population. 

6. The Christmas Song Is Fun But Hippos Are Incredibly Dangerous 

What We Expect: 

We have all heard the cutesy Christmas song about a girl who wants her very own hippo hero for Christmas, and it is ear-wormy and mostly fun to listen to. It makes us think hippos are fun, loveable vegetarian animals who wouldn’t hurt a fly and would make a great pet. 

The Disturbing Reality: 

The hippopotamus is the most dangerous animal in Africa and one of the most dangerous in the world, despite being a herbivore.They attack people and swamp their boats, and are known for being incredibly territorial, biting people apart with their huge jaws with little to no provocation. There are theories that King Tut was killed by a hippo while out hunting, and even Steve Irwin, the famous animal specialist, would not mess with hippos when he came near them. 

They can also quickly become an invasive species, as they are becoming in Colombia, where Pablo Escobar’s hippos got loose. Their government is now trying desperately to cull them and get the situation under control before ecological disaster occurs. 

5. Deer Cause More Deaths Than Bears, Alligators, Dogs, And Sharks Combined 

What We Expect: 

Deer are an animal most of us think as super peaceful and kind. We generally tend to like seeing them show up in our yard and eat some fruit or leaves. Some people even try to approach them. Many people have grown up seeing Bambi, making the love for deer even greater, and a lot of people think it is wrong to hunt them after watching the famous animated film. . 

The Disturbing Reality: 

Deer kill more people every year than bears, alligators, dogs, and sharks combined — between 120 and 200. While most of these deaths are due to vehicular accidents, that does not mean that deer won’t attack you. While statistics can be hard to come by, as many attacks go unreported, experts have been warning people more in recent years to keep their distance from deer and remember that these are dangerous wild animals. A deer is basically a very large wild horse, and the males have antlers that can gore you. They should not be approached at all as they are still very wild and territorial creatures that can kill you very quickly. 

4. Elephants Are Becoming Increasingly Violent to Counter Poachers 

What We Expect: 

Elephants are known for being so tame that even as big as they are, they used to be a regular presence at the circus, before the abusive practice ended. They are known for being fun and playful and even sometimes thinking that humans are cute under the right conditions. Most people just love them, and of course we have every reason to hate the poaching of elephants, as they are intelligent creatures. 

The Disturbing Reality:

That being said, you should still probably keep your distance from  elephants, especially a truly wild one, if you don’t know what you are doing. Elephants are incredibly large animals that could accidentally kill you very easily, and have become increasingly violent in recent years in order to counter poachers. In response, they’ve become more and more territorial against unknown humans, when before they were indeed more friendly. Of course, even then, they have not always been friendly beasts. In ancient days they used to be used as war animals, and even sometimes in executions. 

3. Camels Can Get Incredibly Violent and Are invasive In Australia 

What We Expect: 

While camels may not necessarily be seen as cute or pretty, most people think of them as mostly harmless and maybe kind of funny. They are seen as the horses of the desert and are known for their ability to carry people long distances while needing little water. 

The Disturbing Reality:

Camels are actually extremely dangerous, and are an invasive species in Australia, where they are causing huge problems for the environment. They’re so dangerous to approach that when they are culling them, they snipe them by helicopter. They attack people if they get too close and can be downright vicious. 

Even tame camels can be very deadly. In one case a camel bit off its owner’s head for leaving it in the sun too long. In another case, a camel smothered its owner to death and it took 25 villagers six hours to haul the camel off of the dead body. After some investigation, they believe the camel was angry that it did not get its daily Coca-Cola. 

2. German Shepherds Have A Powerful Bite Force And Are One Of The Most Dangerous Dogs 

What We Expect: 

German Shepherds are known for being one of the gentler and kinder of the bigger dog breeds, and they do make good pets overall in most people’s eyes. Many people try to get them as a starter pet, because they are a popular choice for police dogs or guide dogs due to their trainability. 

The Disturbing Reality: 

Now, we want to be clear first that German Shepherds are not known for being particularly aggressive, and neither are pitbulls, for that matter, unless they are trained for that purpose. However, German Shepherds have an incredibly strong bite force for a dog their size, kill a few people every year, and come in third or fourth yearly in that category, only being beaten out by dogs who are usually raised by dog abusers for combat.

This does not mean a German Shepherd cannot make a great pet, but larger dogs like that, with powerful jaws, are best left for dog owners with a bit more experience who also have the space for a large dog to get its energy out. German Shepherds may be very trainable dogs, but they are also large and powerful animals and must be treated with respect and skillful handling.   

1. The Cane Toad Can Kill Your Pets And Is Invasive In Florida

What We Expect: 

A lot of people may consider toads to be a bit gross, but most consider them mostly harmless even if a bit icky, and plenty of kids love to play with them. Many even try to take them home, and will mess around with them thinking it really isn’t a big deal. Kids, of course, will be kids, and since toads are not scary like snakes, children who like stuff that isn’t just furry are bound to pick them up, and most parents aren’t that worried about it. 

The Disturbing Reality: 

Those parents probably would do well to be concerned about it, because in general toads can carry salmonella, and all types of other diseases. But even worse, in Florida, the Cane Toad has become an invasive species similar to the python and could easily spread to other parts of the USA. It is particularly problematic because its poison can easily kill pets and make your kids very sick. Overall, it is best if you just keep your kids and pets far away from toads, as you never know what they might be carrying.