Video Showing Rare Cow Abnormality ‘Horrifies’ Viewers

Even some of the world’s most cute, cuddly, or otherwise innocuous animals are hiding horrifying secrets, as anyone who has ever seen the inside of a kangaroo’s pouch can tell you. And this week, the internet has (re)discovered a phenomenon occasionally found in domestic cattle that’s piquing both fascination and gag reflexes.

The video in question was posted on TikTok back in 2021 and has been widely shared and discussed on that platform, but it’s just been making the rounds over the past few days on X (formerly Twitter) and provoking some horrified reactions.

“Amorphous globosus, a phenomenon in cattle where instead of a normally developed foetus, a spherical structure covered by hairy skin and/or primitive mouthparts is formed,” posted user @TeyanaToad, adding that they were “obsessed” with the condition.

Amorphous Globosa, a phenomenon in cattle where instead of a normally developed foetus, a spherical structure covered by hairy skin and/or primitive mouthparts is formed (im obsessed by this btw) pic.twitter.com/65ma22vypH

— militanteng transpinay (@TeyanaToad) September 20, 2023

Obsessed isn’t quite the word we would use.

According to a clinical article from the Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in India, the anomaly is believed to be the result of a twin pregnancy in which “the co-twin is usually normal, viable and generally born first.” In other words, it’s similar to the Vanishing Twin Syndrome in humans, which occurs when fetal tissue is absorbed by the other twin, multiple, placenta or the mother.

However, when a cow produces an amorphous globosus, it consists of “a mass of connective tissue and fat covered by skin and hairs.” Due to a lack of functional organs, an amorphous globosus is not viable and not considered to be alive.

But if the video wasn’t enough, the same X user helpfully posted some additional photos of what appears to be a rejected Beanie Babies prototype—or as another user referred to it, “forbidden mochi“—in their mentions. “Honey, whats wrong? you haven’t been playing with your amorphous globosus,” they quipped.

honey, whats wrong? you havent been playing with ur amorphus globosus 🙁 pic.twitter.com/QGgWoz6G04

— militanteng transpinay (@TeyanaToad) September 20, 2023

The video really seems to have struck a chord with people, having been viewed over 8 million times in less than two days. Many have been adding their own strange and colorful commentary about the quite terrifying phenomenon.

“Horrifying. looks like something made by the super computer from I have no mouth but I must scream,” accurate summed up one user.

Horrifying. looks like something made by the super computer from I have no mouth but I must scream https://t.co/MZZ3TnhAKo

— Liv (@Liv_Agar) September 20, 2023

I read more on this and apparently it’s the leftovers of an absorbed twin. and guess what? IT CAN HAPPEN WITH HUMANS TOO. https://t.co/ZuVEre1LXt

— zzsleeps ? (@zzsleeps) September 21, 2023

You think this is bad. You people are not ready to learn about the absolute horrors that are teratomas https://t.co/wap61FWQ4N

— Trey the Explainer (@Trey_Explainer) September 21, 2023

If anyone has not had their fill of nightmare fuel for one day, go ahead and Google “teratoma” at your own risk.