incredible

Every week, we bring you a new collection of animal pictures that are simply too incredible to describe in anything less than 1000 words. Some pictures are just like that, the stories behind them are too vast and complex. And many times, even though we may not know the story, it takes all but one glimpse to know that it's there. Something must have led to this special moment in time being caught, either something hilarious, adorable, or shocking. 

So, look at these incredible photos and let your imagination take over. Who knows? Maybe you'll see one that will inspire you and have you wanting to make something incredible of your own.

20 years ago, the Burmese roofed turtle was presumed extinct, but today, we have some good news! This huge Asian river turtle, whose face seems to be set with a permanent smile, has been saved from extinction by a group of scientists. After accidentally coming across a few of these turtles, these scientists, over the years, have managed to grow the population of these turtles to 1000 and counting, with some of the turtles even released back into the wild.

Wow, wow, wow. 

Picture this: you're on a safari at the Tadoba Reserve, in India, when all of a sudden you spot a black leopard drinking water from a pond. That's what happened to 23-year-old Abhishek Pangis, who watched the rare black leopard for a total of 40 minutes! 

Can you imagine what a sight that must have been? Luckily, Pangis took some photos so we can see the majestic black leopard for ourselves. In an interview with LADBible, Pangis explains how he felt when first spotting the rare wildcat.

Still, must have been breathtaking to see it in person! 

Story via DailyMail

The images below were taken the ultra-talented underwater photographer Paul Caiger.

Known as the Strawberry Squid, this is one bejeweled beauty! Its body looks as if there are jewels covering it, therefore it is also known as the reverse jewel squid. Sampled from the ocean twilight zone, they explain that this mysterious ocean dweller can be found between "the sunlit surface layer and extending down to about 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) deep." 

"The strawberry squid is a source of food for many of the large apex predators–such as sperm whales and Risso's dolphins–that dive down into the twilight zone to feed. "

Paul Caigar's Strawberry Squid image won the most-liked Instagram photo and crowned top "Instastar" from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution's best of 2019.

(Photos by Paul Caiger, © Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

In a world of dark news constantly saturating the web, here are a few amazing stories (full of hope) to help shine some light in the world!