Lake Natron (Lake That Turns Animals to Stone)

Location: Tanzania 

This lake is considered one Africa’s most beautiful and serene bodies of water, but for the animals that wander too close to it, the lake is a horror show. Anything that makes the deadly mistake of drinking from Lake Natron is turned to stone.

The bizarre phenomena is a result of Lake Natron’s incredibly high alkaline content. The lake is so caustic that it literally burns the animals who get too close to it, blinding them and filling their nasal cavities with poison. What’s left of the animal is a black, hardened shell.

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There’s nothing quite like the feeling of cannon balling into a beautiful body of water during a hot summer day, but after taking a close look at these lakes, you’re going to want to check twice before making that dive. These gorgeous but deadly lakes are the true meaning of “look, don’t touch.”