17 Times You Thought Something Was Rare but It Wasn’t
Sometimes, we come across things that seem extraordinary or one-of-a-kind, only to later find out they are surprisingly common. From natural phenomena to quirks in behavior, rarity is often just a matter of perception.
- Tricia Quitales
- 6 min read
Many everyday occurrences often feel special simply because we do not encounter them frequently or recognize them easily. Upon closer examination, a lot of what seems rare is actually widespread or statistically normal. This article uncovers 17 such instances, breaking down why we often mistake them as rare and what the reality behind each one is.
1. Double Rainbows
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Spotting a double rainbow feels magical, but it is a pretty common optical event. They occur when sunlight reflects twice inside water droplets. The second arc is usually fainter, which makes it less noticeable. Weather conditions following a storm with sunlight at a low angle often cause them. Most people simply miss the second arc or do not look long enough.
2. Déjà Vu
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Déjà vu seems like a strange psychic experience, but it is actually a common brain glitch. Studies suggest up to 70% of people experience it at least once. It occurs when the brain misfires and confuses present experiences with past memories. Stress and fatigue can make it more frequent. Though mysterious, it is completely normal.
3. Albino Animals
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Albino animals are often thought to be extremely rare, but they occur more frequently than most assume. While not seen every day, albinism affects a wide range of species, including squirrels, deer, and reptiles. Many albino animals do not survive in the wild, making them less visible. This contributes to the belief that they are rarer than they are. Wildlife photographers have documented them regularly over time.
4. Left-Handed People
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Left-handedness is often seen as unusual, but roughly 10% of the world’s population is left-handed. It is a genetic trait influenced by complex factors. Because right-handedness is dominant, left-handers can feel rare in right-biased settings. However, globally, millions of people write and operate with their left hand. Historically, they were even forced to switch hands in schools.
5. Identical Strangers
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Meeting someone who looks exactly like you may feel like a one-in-a-billion encounter, but science says otherwise. Given the large global population, there is a good statistical chance you have at least one lookalike. Social media has even brought many doppelgängers together. Human facial features tend to follow patterns and similarities. The rarity is more in the meeting than in the existence.
6. Falling Stars
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People often treat falling stars or meteors as rare events, but Earth is constantly bombarded by space debris. Around 48.5 tons of meteor material enter our atmosphere daily. Most burn up before reaching the ground, appearing as shooting stars. Major meteor showers occur multiple times a year. Lack of awareness and cloudy skies often hide them from view.
7. Heterochromia (Different Colored Eyes)
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People with two different eye colors are often seen as rare individuals. However, heterochromia is more common than assumed, especially in animals. It can be complete or partial and may be genetic or due to injury. Many people have subtle variations that go unnoticed. Celebrities with heterochromia have made it more visible in recent years.
8. Dreams Predicting the Future
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Dreams that seem to predict future events feel eerie, but they often result from coincidence. The human brain is skilled at pattern recognition and hindsight bias. When a dream partially aligns with reality, we tend to highlight the match and ignore the rest. Most dreams are a random processing of thoughts. The predictive nature is often an illusion.
9. People with Supernumerary Nipples
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Having an extra nipple might sound bizarre, but it affects about 1 in 18 people. Most go unnoticed as they can be small or misidentified as moles. This condition, known as polythelia, is entirely harmless. Many only discover it later in life or during medical exams. It’s far more common than people realize.
10. The Green Flash at Sunset
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The green flash is thought to be a mythical or ultra-rare sight. In truth, it happens under specific atmospheric conditions just as the sun dips below the horizon. It lasts only a second or two, making it easy to miss. With the right clear-sky conditions over a distant horizon like the ocean, it is regularly observed. Its fleeting nature, not its rarity, makes it special.
11. Red Hair
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Redheads are sometimes viewed as unicorns among hair colors. While globally rare at about 1-2% of the population, in certain regions like Scotland and Ireland, red hair is fairly common. Genetics determines its frequency in specific areas. Perception of rarity is often influenced by your environment. In some cities, red hair is hardly rare at all.
12. Having a Third Toe Longer Than the Big Toe (Morton’s Toe)
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Morton’s Toe looks unusual but is actually quite widespread. Studies show about 20-30% of people have it. It can affect foot posture and sometimes shoe comfort. People often notice it only when comparing feet or during foot measurements. It’s a normal variation in human anatomy.
13. People Born on Leap Day
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Being born on February 29 may feel ultra-rare since it only comes every four years. Still, over 5 million people worldwide celebrate Leap Day birthdays. Statistically, there’s a 1 in 1,461 chance of being born on that day. Leap Year babies often find creative ways to celebrate in non-leap years. The day is rare, but the people are not as rare as it seems.
14. Leftover Dominant Traits Like Ear Wiggle Muscles
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Ear-wiggling is seen as a rare party trick, but many have dormant muscles. Around 10-20% of people can do it with conscious effort. These muscles are evolutionary leftovers. Some people can train themselves to activate them. The ability is not rare, just often undeveloped.
15. The Smell of Rain (Petrichor)
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People think the earthy scent after rain is a rare treat, but it happens almost every time rain hits dry soil. The smell is caused by oils released by plants and bacteria. It becomes more noticeable after long dry spells. Petrichor triggers emotional responses, adding to its perception as something special. Scientifically, it is a consistent and natural occurrence.
16. People with Webbed Toes (Syndactyly)
Artem Podrez on pexels
Webbed toes are seen as a rare mutation, yet they occur in about 1 in every 2,000–2,500 births. The condition can affect fingers too. In many cases, it is mild and does not interfere with function. Some individuals never even know they have it unless examined. It’s much more common than myths suggest.
17. Being Photographed in the Background of a Stranger’s Picture
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People are often surprised to find themselves in someone else’s vacation photo. With billions of pictures taken globally, the odds of showing up in a stranger’s background are quite high. Crowded places like landmarks make it even more likely. Most of these photos never surface or remain unseen. It only feels rare when one is discovered.