There are many unusual and almost inexplicable meteorological events that take degrees and years of studies to make sense of, but having animals literally rain from the sky pushes it to science fiction territory. It did happen, though, and according to historical records, it happened 10 times already.
When It Rains Animals
Over the years, there have been plenty of bizarre moments when stuff fell from the sky that wasn’t rain. And no, this is not about acid rain or anything like that. It’s about actual animals, and some other super weird things, too! In this list, you’re going to find out about the ten times animals literally rained down from above. Believe it or not, there are way more than just ten of these wild stories out there.
Kentucky, USA (1876)
On March 3, 1876, Mrs. Crouch, a farmer’s wife in Bath County, Kentucky, witnessed a bizarre phenomenon: meat falling from the sky. For several moments, chunks of meat, about two inches square, rained down around her porch. Experts examined the pieces, identifying them as likely lung tissue, possibly from a horse or human infant, though others believed it was lamb or deer. Incredibly, two men tasted it, deeming it lamb or deer. Theories about the event pointed to vultures or buzzards vomiting their meals in flight, a known behavior to prevent mass illness in flocks. Startled by an unknown trigger, the birds may have expelled the meat midair, creating the strange shower.
Shropshire, UK (2004)
On August 18, 2004, Kevin Kell was walking through the small village of Knighton in Shropshire, near the Wales border, when he noticed something unusual at 2:45 p.m. Fish were falling from the sky. Earlier that day, a thunderstorm had swept through the area, but by then, the skies were clear, except for the raining fish. Kell spotted dozens of small fish, likely minnows, lying on the pavement. The bizarre event left him and others in Shropshire puzzled. The incident gained widespread attention, even making the news. The explanation was likely weather-related: strong winds and a waterspout during the storm may have lifted the fish from a nearby water source, carrying them in the clouds before dropping them over Knighton. While extraordinary, it was not miraculous or biblical. It was just an unusual meteorological phenomenon.
Nagaram, India (2015)
In August 2015, residents of Vuyyurivaripalem, a small village near Nagaram, India, woke to a strange sight: their farm fields were covered with fish. Dubbed “fish rain,” this bizarre event unfolded during the early hours of Sunday morning, leaving hundreds of fish scattered across more than two acres. With no one claiming responsibility, it seemed the fish had fallen from the sky. Biology professor Srinivasa Rao explained that strong winds or tornadoes can sweep up water, and fish, from rivers, canals, or tanks, depositing them elsewhere. He believed this was the case in Vuyyurivaripalem.
Pennsylvania, USA (2016)
In September 2016, Lisa Lobree was walking through Fairmount Park in Philly when, out of nowhere, a catfish dropped from the sky and smacked her right on the head. Stunned and reeking of fish, she kept walking until her friend Annie spotted the culprit flopping on the ground behind them: a foot-long catfish. Turns out, a bird likely dropped its dinner mid-flight, and Lisa ended up as collateral damage. She walked away with just a cut and a welt, but the bird? It lost its lunch. This time, it wasn’t actual rain, but one could argue that fish still “rained” from the sky.
California, USA (2017)
In spring 2017, more than 100 dead fish mysteriously appeared on the playground and roof of Stanford Avenue Elementary School in Oroville, California. The bizarre “fish rain” happened between 10 a.m. and noon, but no one knows how or why. Experts ruled out storms or water spouts, leaving school officials scratching their heads. Was it a prank? A sign from above? Whatever the cause, the National Weather Service confirmed there was no meteorological explanation. Here’s hoping the school avoids any future biblical surprises.
Paraná, Brazil (2013)
In 2013, the small town of Santo Antônio da Platina, Brazil, experienced a “spider rain” as hundreds of spiders drifted through the air, falling from trees, poles, and wires. For nearly an hour, the eight-legged creatures floated down like a bizarre storm. While locals may have freaked out, experts weren’t surprised. Biologist Marta Fischer explained that this behavior is normal for Anelosimus eximius, a species of social spider. They build massive sheet webs together to catch insects, often launching themselves from high branches to hunt. Creepy, but just nature doing its thing!
New South Wales, Australia (2015)
In 2015, the town of Goulburn, Australia, endured a week-long spider rain. Thousands of tiny spiders fell from the sky, covering homes and turning the town into something straight out of a horror movie. Resident Ian Watson described seeing “a tunnel of webs” stretching hundreds of meters into the sky and even finding spiders stuck in his beard. Known as “ballooning,” this natural phenomenon occurs when spiders release silk to catch the wind and travel. It’s common, but in this case, the sheer scale made it unforgettable, and absolutely terrifying.
Ishikawa, Japan (2009)
In 2009, Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture faced a bizarre phenomenon: tadpoles rained from the sky. Over nearly a month, multiple cities reported “tadpole hailstorms,” with tiny creatures pelting people, cars, and rooftops. In one case, a man in Nanao rushed outside to find hundreds of tadpoles scattered around his car after hearing them hit the ground. Scientists suggested water spouts or winds carried them from lakes or rivers, but locals weren’t buying it. There was no wind, and the “birds dropping food” theory didn’t explain a month of falling tadpoles. The mystery remains unsolved to this day.
Louisiana, USA (2007)
Fish, spiders, tadpoles—and now worms? In 2007, Jennings, Louisiana, had its own bizarre “rainstorm” when clumps of worms started falling from the sky. Locals going about their day were caught off guard, including police employee Eleanor Beal, who got hit while crossing the street. “They were crawling!” she shouted, warning others to steer clear. The likely culprit? A waterspout near Lacassine Bayou, which may have sucked the worms from the muddy ground and dumped them on the unsuspecting town. Nature’s weird sometimes.
Chihuahua, Mexico (2022)
In 2022, hundreds of yellow-headed blackbirds mysteriously dropped dead from the sky in Chihuahua, Mexico, creating what locals called a “bird rain.” Security footage captured the shocking moment as the flock plunged to the ground. While some birds managed to fly away or recover, most perished on streets and rooftops. Authorities speculated on possible causes, from exhaustion during migration to toxic fumes or electrocution from power lines. Whatever the reason, the eerie sight of hundreds of birds falling in unison left residents rattled, and the mystery unsolved.
Can It Happen Again?
So, can animals rain from the sky again, and could it happen in the U.S.? Absolutely. Nature’s bizarre weather and animal behaviors make these incidents not only possible but surprisingly common. From waterspouts scooping up fish, frogs, or worms and dropping them miles away, to spiders ballooning on silk threads, or even flocks of birds succumbing to environmental hazards mid-flight, these phenomena are part of the strange and unpredictable forces at play on our planet. So, the next time you step outside during a storm, you might want to keep an eye on the sky. You never know what could be falling next.
References:
Villagers wake up to find fish in fields!
How 100 fish rained down on an Oroville school remains a mystery
Spiders Rain From The Skies In Southern Brazilian Town
Spiders Rain From Skies In Australian Town Of Goulburn
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