Ripley Entertainment Inc.'s Blog, page 221
February 9, 2020
February 8, 2020
February 7, 2020
Woman Has Eyelashes Growing From Her Gums
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
This Week
[February 2-7th, 2020] Oral eyelashes, sedentary salamanders, skin yarn, and the rest of the week’s weird news from Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
Eyelashes In Your Teeth
Nobody likes hair in their food, but what if it’s growing in your mouth? According to major oral sciences journal, one woman has had to have hairs growing from her gums removed multiple times. The lashes seem to be the result of a hormonal condition that spurs hair growth. Doctors believe this is only the fifth known case of oral hair growth on record.
Salamander Sits For Seven Years
A group of sedentary salamanders in a Herzegovinian cave has been monitored by scientists for over a decade. Divers visiting the salamanders’ underground, underwater home have tracked their movements, noting they have moved less than 33 feet in 10 years. According to researchers, their behavior is typical of the species. The olm salamander can go without food for long stretches at a time, and only mates once every 12 years.
VHS Reunion
When Jim McKay bought a VHS player at a local Goodwill, he didn’t expect to find anything inside, but the tape therein led him on a journey across decades. The VHS player actually had a home movie inside from 1994. It showed a baby taking his first steps. Intent on finding the owner, McKay posted the video online and was eventually able to track the tot down—TyRe Alexander who is now 26 years old.
No Blessing Nukes
For decades, the Russian Orthodox Church has sprinkled holy water on submarines, missiles, and even spacecraft for the Ministry of Defense. Now, the church is thinking about asking its priests to refrain from blessing the Russian military’s nuclear arsenal. Meanwhile, priests continue to bless troops, jets, and firearms.
Skin Yarn
A team of researchers in France have discovered a way to make yarn out of human skin. They’re calling the yarn they grow in the lab a “human textile.” While you could knit a doily out of the stuff, the scientists behind the project hope their invention will be used in surgeries. Because the yarn is organic, it doesn’t trigger an immune response in the body.
The Man Who Faked Insanity To Avoid Death
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
In 1895, Charles Fiester of Josephine County, Oregon, was jailed for committing a brutal crime. Sentenced to die for his actions, he was given a stay of execution, during which he fell into a catatonic state that extended his reprieve from death for years.
Portrait of a Man
At 22 years old, Charles Fiester married his wife Nancy when she was just about 13 years of age. Living what might have seemed on the outside to be a loving, fulfilling life, the couple raised 10 children over the course of their 30-year-long marriage. Acquaintances and former colleagues at Oregon’s Salem Police Department described Fiester as a soft-spoken and hard-working man.
But, all wasn’t as it seemed in the Fiester household. Neighbors witnessed Fiester’s darker side after Nancy shared bruises and injuries inflicted by her husband. Unhappy in her marriage, Nancy started seeing another man and planned to divorce Charles. This affair fueled his long-ignored anger management issues, resulting in Feister’s action to take Nancy’s life.
Once in the hands of the law, another love-wrought murder in the Fiester family reared its head again. One year earlier, his daughter Jessie “Jet” Black separated from her husband, Sam. When an enraged Sam saw her with another man, Jessie’s estranged husband shot and killed him.
If You Can’t Do The Time…
On Sept. 30, 1895, Fiester appeared in court in Josephine County. During his opening statement, his attorney pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity—by law, an “unwell” or “insane” person isn’t supposed to be executed. Unfortunately for Fiester, his trial came a few years before the idea of “temporary insanity” was would sweep through American murder courts. Fiester did not have a history of being mentally unstable, and thus had little evidence to convince the jury he was mad.
With two extramarital love affairs gone horribly wrong in the Fiester family, the jurors took note. Along with claims of an anger problem and with no previous displays of mental instability, jurors reached a decision after just 40 minutes of deliberations—Fiester was found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging.
At first, Fiester didn’t take the sentence too seriously; he was convinced that he could get the decision overturned or have it downgraded to a lowly prison sentence. As he hoped, just days before his execution, the state Supreme Court issued him a stay of execution in order to allow for time to review his claim of insanity.
…Don’t Do The Crime
In the midst of his reprieve, things weren’t looking hopeful. With the threat of his death penalty being reinstated, Charles Fiester fell into a catatonic state. He simply laid on his bunk and stared at the ceiling. He did not move, speak, or respond to anyone who attempted to engage with him. A psychologist employed by the court examined Fiester and declared him insane. Just as Fiester had hoped, his execution was halted—his plan had worked.
The court did not completely overturn his guilty verdict or have him sent away to an asylum. Instead, Fiester stayed in the Josephine County jailhouse under supervision while the courts let his case languish in limbo. Deputies were required to care for him, which included feeding him several times a day and taking care of other personal needs. Newspapers from the time period did not reveal any details about his day-to-day care, but he likely wore a diaper that deputies had to change on a regular basis.
On May 10, 1897, an impressive 515 days after descending into this catatonic state, Fiester’s hoax unraveled. Two of his sons, William, 26, and John, 18, were sent to jail after getting caught stealing bacon from a smokehouse, and William was bunked with his father. After prisoners in adjoining cells claimed to have heard the family whispering to each other one night, suspicions were raised about the validity of his unresponsive behavior.
The following morning, the deputy assigned to feeding Fiester placed his food tray on the adjacent table and told Fiester he was never feeding him again. The deputy left and returned to find a clean plate. Upon seeing the cleaned plate, the deputy said, “Old man, you have played your game well.” Fiester responded with his first words in almost 2 years,
“Yes, but it has been hard.”
Fiester had only pretended to be catatonic for 43 months.
Shattering the Illusion
Shortly after his deception was brought to light, Fiester’s insanity defense was dismissed, and in an April 21, 1898 hearing, he was scheduled to be hanged on June 10. On the morning of his execution, the sheriff found Fiester unresponsive in his cell. His eyes were rolled back in his head, and his breathing was labored.
The sheriff thought Fiester was expiring on his own, so the hanging was postponed—but only for a few hours. Fiester bamboozled people for nearly two years, and they refused to be fooled again. Still alive at 1 p.m., officials went through with his sentence and carried him to the gallows. He was, allegedly, hanged while unconscious.
An engraving of convicted murderer Charles Fiester, published in the Portland Morning Oregonian on June 11, 1898, the day after his hanging. (Image: UO Libraries)
If this is true, Charles Fiester will have been the only unconscious man to ever be hanged in the state of Oregon.
Forced Catatonia
While catatonia is usually associated with a disturbed mental state, Fiester’s ability to willingly enter a state of immobility and stupor may have been something closer to deep meditation. While meditating, monks remain aware of their physical body and surroundings at first but eventually, that awareness and thoughts can completely disappear. The mind’s perception of time and space can also fade away.
Tibetan monks are also known to practice deep-state meditation. In the early ’80s, Harvard researchers investigated a particular practice known as “g-Tummo ” meditation. The monks they encountered inexplicably had the ability to raise their body temperature using only their minds. Scientists were initially baffled by the mysterious phenomenon, but they have since credited “meditative visualization” for the act. Perhaps Fiester used a similar method to induce his own stupor?
Another possibility is that Fiester was in a trance state, and he dissociated himself with everything around him. His mind basically shut itself off as a way to protect itself following severe trauma—taking his wife’s life. Most people have experienced a trance state at some point in their lives, but not nearly to the extent of Fiester. Many people experience a similar “highway hypnosis” or zoning out when you’re driving and later realizing you weren’t aware of the route they just followed. Extreme dissociation like the kind Fiester may have experienced can be caused by stress, pain, or another catalyst.
By Noelle Talmon, contributor for Ripleys.com
February 6, 2020
Are Black Panthers Really A Separate Species?
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Black panthers are among the most elusive creatures of the animal kingdom. Because of their stealth as predators, they’ve earned the nickname “the ghosts of the forest.” Some people consider these “ghosts” the stuff of legends or far-fetched adventure stories. Others think of them as an entirely separate big cat species, crouched in the shadows of nightfall, awaiting unwitting prey.
Over the years, a handful of persistent wildlife photographers have worked tirelessly to offer us glimpses of these impressive creatures. The images they’ve captured prove that black panthers fall firmly within the realm of reality.
If you’ve always assumed black panthers are a distinct species of predatory cat, think again. It’s time to separate the hype from biology.
The Myth of the Black Panther
The Disney animated television series The Lion Guard (1994) was a coming-of-age cartoon featuring Simba’s son, Kion, and a ragtag group of African wildlife. Creators called the first episode in the series, “Don’t Judge a Hyena by Its Spots,” and we need to use this mindset for a future black panther documentary.
Why? Because you can’t judge a black panther by its spots—or lack thereof. The term “black panther” doesn’t refer to a separate species. It describes coat color!
In Africa and Asia, black panthers are black-coated leopards, and in North, Central, and South America, they’re dark-coated jaguars. In other words, “black panther” is an umbrella term used to refer to any leopard or jaguar with an unusually dark coat. It’s worth noting that, in many cases, they do, indeed, have spots. But you can’t see them, due to the darkness of the rest of their fur.
Even more astounding, black-coated cats are not limited solely to leopards and jaguars. Scientists have documented the presence of these highly pigmented coats in 13 species of wild cats, including Asiatic golden cats.
What Causes Black Panthers?
This coloration is the result of a genetic mutation in either the “Agouti Signalling Protein” (ASP) or the “Melanocortin-1” (MC-1) gene. Both of these genes play a direct role in the distribution of melanin, a dark pigment also common to humans—melanin is the reason we tan when exposed to the sun. In big cats, the mutation of the ASP or MC-1 gene leads to a surplus of melanin and their characteristic pigmentation. Interestingly, the extra spike in melanin is also responsible for their vibrant yellow eyes.
We call cats who overproduce melanin, resulting in a dark coat, melanistic. Melanism is the polar opposite of albinism, a condition distinguished by a complete absence of melanin that results in an all-white coloring with pink or red eyes.
To date, melanism has never been seen among wild lion or tiger populations, though albinism is well-documented in both species. But while albinism makes life difficult for most animals, rendering them a target for other predators, melanism may come with significant advantages.
Melanism in the Animal Kingdom
As with albinism, other animal species also boast melanistic individuals, including penguins, squirrels, and wolves. Still, they prove so rare that scientists have yet to thoroughly study the effects of melanism on survival rates and reproductive success.
We do know, however, that black panthers retain a distinct advantage over their lighter-colored counterparts when it comes to stalking prey at night. Predominantly nocturnal creatures, they rarely appear during the day due to visibility and a difficulty controlling body temperature in the heat.
Because genetic mutations can have an impact on more than appearance, scientists are also studying the effects of ASP and MC-1 variations on other aspects of black panther health and behavior. Like black penguins, squirrels, and wolves, black panthers appear to be more disease resistant.
They also have a reputation for being more aggressive than their visibly-spotted counterparts. Is this aggression the result of a genetic predisposition or social conditioning related to their appearance? The answer to this question remains up for debate. Further research into these stunning creatures will provide a better understanding of melanism and big cat genetics.
By Engrid Barnett, contributor for Ripleys.com
February 5, 2020
February 4, 2020
The Oviedo Lights: Scientific Phenomenon Or Inexplicable Sighting
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Most Central Florida natives of the baby boomer generation will remember the tales of the Oviedo Lights. While some may have been too scared of the whole thing to bother testing the story, many of them went as teenagers to the spot below the Snow Hill Road bridge, which runs over the Econlockhatchee River, to try and catch a glimpse of the infamous lights.
“Up North, we took our dates to watch the submarine races,” an Oviedo resident told the Orlando Sentinel in an interview for their 1990 article about the lights. “Down here, you took your date to see the Oviedo lights.”
But what are the Oviedo lights? Why did they cause so much interest and confusion, and why is there still no consensus of opinion for their cause?
The Green, Ghost Lights of Oviedo
Trying to see these illuminations was a popular pastime for teenagers between the 1940s and the 1970s. The lights were usually best seen in the warmer months when one drove to the bridge, parked, and walked down to the canoe launch via the path from the bridge. The lights were often described as greenish and very, very bright. Some locals even describe being chased by the lights as they scrambled back to their cars.
Reported sightings of the lights have diminished since the 1970s, but this doesn’t mean they have completely disappeared. Still, perhaps the most intriguing issue of the lights is their resistance to being defined or explained.
Swamp Gas or Something More?
The best explanation for the lights, and one in which many people firmly believe, is that they are a product of swamp gases. Also called swamp ghost lights, jack-o-lanterns, or will-o’-the-wisps, these lights are created when organic material breaks down in swamplands, creating methane and phosphine gases. Methane is flammable, and phosphines can self-ignite when they meet oxygen, which can cause these spontaneous bursts of light. But they are real—and they are most likely the direct inspiration for fairy tales where characters see a light far off in the distance that lures them off their path… and into a bog or swamp.
A Will-o’-the-wisp is a phantom light that hovers in the wilderness, luring travelers away from the beaten path
Still, not everyone is ready to accept this explanation for the Oviedo lights. Many people believe them to be the work of a supernatural element, and even the scientific community of Central Florida hasn’t come up with a clear answer for this issue. In 1969, the University of Central Florida, then Florida Technical College, allowed for several students in their physics department to study and research the lights. After doing so, the university released a statement citing “insufficient information on which to base a concrete scientific opinion.”
Unexplained and Dangerous
So, what can we say about the Oviedo lights? Are they simply a strange, yet natural phenomenon caused by swamp gas, or are they something more? One of the oddest things about this local mystery is that, while most people in the area will be able to tell you about the Oviedo lights, there isn’t one, specific story linked with them. Usually, when a ghost story appears with a strange phenomenon, there is an underlying thread of similar tales, but people in the area might say the lights are connected with anything from a couple who were killed while parking in the woods to a Cub Scout who became lost and haunts the area to this day.
Does this mean the lights aren’t real, or that they are, as some people believe, a hallucination brought on by fear or confusion? It’s hard to say. One thing is for certain: though swamp gas seems to be the easiest and most likely explanation for the lights, it probably won’t satisfy the people who have seen them.
By Julia Tilford, contributor for Ripleys.com
Source: The Oviedo Lights: Scientific Phenomenon Or Inexplicable Sighting
The Oviedo Lights: Scientific Phenomenon or Inexplicable Sighting
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Most Central Florida natives of the baby boomer generation will remember the tales of the Oviedo Lights. While some may have been too scared of the whole thing to bother testing the story, many of them went as teenagers to the spot below the Snow Hill Road bridge, which runs over the Econlockhatchee River, to try and catch a glimpse of the infamous lights.
“Up North, we took our dates to watch the submarine races,” an Oviedo resident told the Orlando Sentinel in an interview for their 1990 article about the lights. “Down here, you took your date to see the Oviedo lights.”
But what are the Oviedo lights? Why did they cause so much interest and confusion, and why is there still no consensus of opinion for their cause?
The Green, Ghost Lights of Oviedo
Trying to see these illuminations was a popular pastime for teenagers between the 1940s and the 1970s. The lights were usually best seen in the warmer months when one drove to the bridge, parked, and walked down to the canoe launch via the path from the bridge. The lights were often described as greenish and very, very bright. Some locals even describe being chased by the lights as they scrambled back to their cars.
Reported sightings of the lights have diminished since the 1970s, but this doesn’t mean they have completely disappeared. Still, perhaps the most intriguing issue of the lights is their resistance to being defined or explained.
Swamp Gas or Something More?
The best explanation for the lights, and one in which many people firmly believe, is that they are a product of swamp gases. Also called swamp ghost lights, jack-o-lanterns, or will-o’-the-wisps, these lights are created when organic material breaks down in swamplands, creating methane and phosphine gases. Methane is flammable, and phosphines can self-ignite when they meet oxygen, which can cause these spontaneous bursts of light. But they are real—and they are most likely the direct inspiration for fairy tales where characters see a light far off in the distance that lures them off their path… and into a bog or swamp.
A Will-o’-the-wisp is a phantom light that hovers in the wilderness, luring travelers away from the beaten path
Still, not everyone is ready to accept this explanation for the Oviedo lights. Many people believe them to be the work of a supernatural element, and even the scientific community of Central Florida hasn’t come up with a clear answer for this issue. In 1969, the University of Central Florida, then Florida Technical College, allowed for several students in their physics department to study and research the lights. After doing so, the university released a statement citing “insufficient information on which to base a concrete scientific opinion.”
Unexplained and Dangerous
So, what can we say about the Oviedo lights? Are they simply a strange, yet natural phenomenon caused by swamp gas, or are they something more? One of the oddest things about this local mystery is that, while most people in the area will be able to tell you about the Oviedo lights, there isn’t one, specific story linked with them. Usually, when a ghost story appears with a strange phenomenon, there is an underlying thread of similar tales, but people in the area might say the lights are connected with anything from a couple who were killed while parking in the woods to a Cub Scout who became lost and haunts the area to this day.
Does this mean the lights aren’t real, or that they are, as some people believe, a hallucination brought on by fear or confusion? It’s hard to say. One thing is for certain: though swamp gas seems to be the easiest and most likely explanation for the lights, it probably won’t satisfy the people who have seen them.
By Julia Tilford, contributor for Ripleys.com
Source: The Oviedo Lights: Scientific Phenomenon or Inexplicable Sighting
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