The Guinness World Records is a fascinating repository of human achievement and oddities. From the awe-inspiring to the downright bizarre, here are 11 of the strangest records ever set that will leave you wondering about the lengths people go to be record-holders.
1. Longest Fingernails on a Pair of Hands (Ever)
Imagine not cutting your nails for decades. This record was held by Lee Redmond from the USA, who started growing her nails in 1979 and carefully manicured them to reach a total length of 8.65 meters (28 feet 4.5 inches) in 2008.
2. Most Live Rattlesnakes Held in the Mouth
Jackie Bibby, also known as “The Texas Snake Man,” held 13 live rattlesnakes by their tails in his mouth without any assistance, a record that’s not only strange but also incredibly dangerous.
3. Longest Distance Keeping a Table Lifted with Teeth
Georges Christen from Luxembourg ran 38 feet and 8 inches while carrying a 26-pound table — and a 110-pound woman sitting on it — using just his teeth.
4. Most Snails on the Face
In 2009, Fin Kehler put 43 snails on his face and let them stay there for 10 seconds. This unusual record was categorized under ‘Most Snails on the Face for 10 Seconds’.
5. Heaviest Weight Lifted by Human Beard
In 2013, Antanas Kontrimas from Lithuania lifted a woman weighing 63.80 kilograms (140.65 pounds) using only his beard.
6. Farthest Arrow Shot Using Feet
Nancy Siefker from the USA shot an arrow into a target 20 feet 4.5 inches away using nothing but her feet.
7. Most Toilet Seats Broken by the Head in One Minute
Kevin Shelley from the USA managed to break 46 wooden toilet seats with his head in one minute.
8. Largest Collection of Rubber Ducks
Charlotte Lee (USA) has a rubber duck collection with over 5,631 different rubber ducks, as of 2011, that she has been collecting since 1996.
9. Longest Ear Hair
Radhakant Bajpai of India was awarded the title for the longest ear hair in the world in 2003, with his hair reaching an impressive 13.2 cm (5.19 inches) at its longest point.
10. Most Piercings in a Lifetime
Elaine Davidson from Brazil has had more than 4,225 piercings in her lifetime, with more than 1,500 externally on her body and face.
11. Tightest Electric Car Parallel Park
In 2020, Zhang Hua squeezed a car into a parking space leaving only a combined 8 centimeters (3.15 inches) of space between his car and the ones in front and behind, achieving the tightest electric car parallel park.
These records range from the incredible to the outright bizarre, showcasing the variety of human curiosities and the lengths individuals will go to carve out their own unique place in history.
