Saying that sharks are scary is not controversial, and the same thing goes for hippos and lions and wolves. Remember that trailer for the fake horror movie Hungry Hungry Hippos that cirulated a few years back? Someone made that because hippos—with their massive teeth and even more massive bodies and bad temperaments—are terryfing beasts!
But enough about the hippos. Anything that’s more than 15 feet long and weighs 10,000 pounds is going to catch your eye and set off “Run!” bells in your head. But what about the world’s smallest creatures? The ones you don’t see or hear coming until it’s too late, like mosquitos, tapeworms and flies? This data visualization highlights 15 animal assassins that account for more than one million human fatalities per annum.
The world is a jungle. So watch your back. And check your shoes. And don’t forget your bug spray!
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Written and Produced by Gabriel Reilich
Graphics: Jake Infusino
Music: Full Metal Jacket - Dirty Art Club
https://www.facebook.com/DirtyArtClub
Sources: (All figures have a wide margin of error)
https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/diseases/ascariasis/en/
https://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs115/en/
https://www.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_topics&view=article&id=10&Itemid=40743
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(12)61728-0/abstract
https://www.unodc.org/gsh/
https://www.toxinology.org/gsi-epidemiology2.htm
https://www.crocodile-attack.info/
https://www.gatesnotes.com/Health/Most-Lethal-Animal-Mosquito-Week
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
Juicy subject matter
Giphy from The Blacklist.
We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.