this post was submitted on 27 May 2026
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What is this thing?

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Let us help you identify that mysterious object you’ve found.

Currently in CHALLENGE mode: If you've got something obscure knocking about, post a picture, and let's see how we do. Please prefix such posts with "CHALLENGE:" so we know we've got a fighting chance.

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It’s about 2-3mm in length. Central European location.

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[–] mycatsays@aussie.zone 43 points 3 weeks ago (16 children)

It looks like a silverfish to me, but I've never seen them bigger than about 1cm.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silverfish

[–] urandom@lemmy.world 10 points 3 weeks ago (13 children)

If I’m reading this correctly, they shouldn’t be harmful to humans, right?

I’m wondering whether I should report them to someone or let them be

[–] mycatsays@aussie.zone 23 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

They don't hurt humans or pets. They'll also tend to hide, given the opportunity.

They do like to eat paper, however. One silverfish isn't a big deal, but if you see them often it's worth looking into deterrents or pest treatment. When there are lots, you'll start to notice holes in notes, books, etc — most particularly (in my experience), loose pieces of paper left undisturbed for a length of time.

[–] dditty@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I've had a few in my apartment. I sprinkled dichotomous Earth where I saw them and haven't seen any more for a while.

[–] LordMayor@piefed.social 9 points 3 weeks ago (3 children)

dichotomous Earth

Sounds like a cool book title or band name.

I think autocorrect screwed you and you meant diatomaceous?

[–] egrets@lemmy.world 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Sounds like a cool book title or band name.

But not both!

[–] caseyweederman@lemmy.ca 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] egrets@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Ha, a dichotomy is XOR by definition.

[–] caseyweederman@lemmy.ca 2 points 3 weeks ago

Jointly exhaustive then

[–] LeapSecond@lemmy.zip 1 points 3 weeks ago

Maybe it's just a very tasty book and they haven't come back because they're so full.

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