Raining Animals Phenomenon
Fish, frogs, and birds fall from the sky. It happens more than you'd think—documented for millennia. Waterspouts lift them, tornados carry them miles. The rain of creatures is real.
Raining animals is a rare meteorological phenomenon where small creatures—usually fish or frogs—fall from the sky. It’s been documented throughout history and continues today.
The Phenomenon
According to documented accounts:
Animal rain involves:
- Small animals falling from the sky
- Usually fish, frogs, or small birds
- Sometimes still alive
- Often during storms
- Covering limited areas
Historical Records
Ancient accounts include:
- Roman historian Pliny the Elder (1st century AD)
- Biblical references (frogs in Egypt)
- Numerous medieval records
- Accounts from every continent
Modern Examples
Recent documented cases:
Yoro, Honduras: Annual “fish rain” celebrated with a festival.
Lajamanu, Australia (2010): Hundreds of spangled perch fell.
Texarkana, Texas (2021): Small fish fell during a storm.
Various UK locations: Multiple frog falls recorded.
The Explanation
The accepted scientific theory:
Waterspouts and Tornados:
- A waterspout or tornado passes over water
- It picks up fish, frogs, or other small creatures
- The creatures are carried aloft
- When the storm weakens, they fall
- This can happen miles from the water source
Why These Animals?
Fish and frogs are common because:
- They live near water (where waterspouts form)
- They’re small and light enough to lift
- They’re numerous in shallow water
- Frogs congregate on surfaces
The Survival Factor
Some creatures survive:
- Fish can survive brief airborne journeys
- Frogs are particularly resilient
- Cold upper atmosphere may preserve them
- Short falls result in more survivors
Selectivity
Why are falls often single-species?
- Waterspouts may hit specific spawning areas
- Creatures of similar size and weight travel together
- Sorting occurs during transport
- This makes “pure” rains of one animal type possible
Strange Variations
Unusual cases include:
- Meat (Kentucky Meat Shower, 1876—probably vulture regurgitation)
- Insects
- Spiders (via ballooning)
- Golf balls (caught by updrafts)
The Kentucky Meat Shower
On March 9, 1876:
- Flakes of meat fell near Rankin, Kentucky
- Analysis suggested lung tissue, muscle, and cartilage
- Most likely explanation: vultures disgorging food
- The event was widely reported
Cultural Impact
Animal rain has influenced:
- Religious texts and imagery
- Folklore worldwide
- Literature (Magnolia film reference)
- Scientific study of extreme weather