By Martin Shwenk Leade

Copyright indiatimes

Several biologists suggested the growth is likely Clathrus archeri, commonly known as the Devil’s Fingers fungus.

A viral TikTok series by a Panamanian man has ignited a global frenzy, with many speculating whether alien life has been discovered — and others dismissing it as a carefully staged hoax.The man, who goes by @kinpanama on TikTok, first shared videos on August 29 claiming that a meteorite had landed in his backyard. He described it as an “interplanetary visitor,” calling it the first such event recorded in Panama.In the clips, the object initially appeared as a solid rock. Within 72 hours, however, it began to “transform” — oozing greenish-yellow gelatinous growth that darkened over time. By the third day, it was fully coated in a black, sticky substance. The TikToker claimed the object emitted a smell “like burning,” which became stronger with each passing day.He alleged that local universities were contacted but did not respond, forcing him to keep documenting the phenomenon on his own. The unusual visuals quickly went viral across TikTok and YouTube, with viewers dubbing the object “Venom” for its resemblance to the Marvel character.— Kobe_for_3 (@Kobe_for_3) Live EventsAlien, fake or just fungusSome commenters expressed awe, calling the object “straight out of a sci-fi movie,” while others warned it could be a biological threat.But scientists and skeptics have offered a more grounded explanation: fungus. Several biologists suggested the growth is likely Clathrus archeri, commonly known as the Devil’s Fingers fungus. The fungus starts as a small, stone-like sac before rupturing and releasing tentacle-like growths covered in a foul-smelling spore mass — a natural process that could look alien to the untrained eye.Others have accused @kinpanama of staging the videos altogether. A popular YouTube debunking channel pointed to inconsistencies, such as burn marks with discarded matches near the “impact site,” suggesting the crash scene may have been faked.Complicating matters, several of @kinpanama’s early videos were later deleted, fueling further speculation. Followers argue this could indicate either government interference or the creator backing away from a hoax that spiraled out of control.As of now, no Panamanian authority or academic institution has confirmed receiving samples or conducting tests on the alleged meteorite.Scientists have urged caution. “Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence,” one Panamanian biologist reportedly told local media.Meanwhile, the TikTok account continues to post updates, with the creator now claiming his videos are at risk of being removed by the platform — adding yet another layer of intrigue to a story that has captivated millions worldwide.Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!
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(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)Read More News onviral TikTok videosPanamanian TikTok series@kinpanamaalien life discoverymeteorite landingClathrus archeriDevil’s Fingers fungus(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2025 Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online….moreless