‘Deadliest lake in the world’ has mysterious secret that turns animals to ‘stone’

There is a lake which is probably one of the most beautiful in the world, but it's also one of the deadliest.

There’s no way you’re going to want to take a dip in this body of water, which is known as Lake Natron and is located in northern Tanzania.

Sat at the border with Kenya, the lake is brimming with wildlife around it, seemingly unbothered by the dangers it poses to their life.

Not only is it the breeding ground for the endangered lesser flamingo, but it’s also right in the shadow of the active Ol Doinyo Lengai - or 'Mountain of God' - volcano.

This 7,650ft volcano could go off at any time, so there’s double danger if you try to go near the rusty-coloured destination.

The lake is pink (Getty Stock Image)

Sadly, it’s not only dangerous for any animal that comes in contact with it, as tourists are warned not to swim in it too.

The 56km-long body of water is pretty and pink, which is thanks to a type of algae, called cyanobacteria.

The algae are everywhere and enjoy the lake's minerals which are also dangerous too.

It’s almost like this lake is screaming to anything living, not to enter.

Why is Lake Natron so deadly?

The bacterium in the water is deadly as it releases a chemical that damages the cells, nervous system, and livers of most that drink from it.

Then, there is the sodium carbonate contained within the water too, which was once used in Egyptian mummification, so it’s not something you’d want on your skin or in your body.

At any point an animal makes contact with the lake, they seem to turn to 'stone' - but how?

It’s the salt and high alkaline pH in the water which can cause burns.

Sadly, once a living thing touches the water, calcification occurs, which takes over the body and turns it rock-hard.

Lake Natron turns animals to 'stone' (Getty Stock Image)

Thankfully, it’s a quick death, but everything on the body, from every inch of hair to its toenails remains in place - but it’s now calcified.

And due to the bacteria, the lake’s temperatures are extremely high.

Why is Lake Natron such a popular destination for tourists?

As well as being pretty surreal to look at, wildlife photographer Nick Brandt shared why he thinks the lake is so popular - and it’s very morbid.

He said he used the stone corpses as posed models for a terrifying series of photographs.

Brandt told NBC News: "I unexpectedly found the creatures - all manner of birds and bats - washed up along the shoreline of Lake Natron in Northern Tanzania.

"I took these creatures as I found them on the shoreline, and then placed them in 'living' positions, bringing them back to 'life'."

The area is so hot, that the temperature of the water can reach up to 60 degrees, which is a pretty risky hot springs if you ask me.

Because of this heat, the 400mm of rainfall on Lake Natron each year is 'phantom rain' which evaporates before hitting the surface of the water.

It’s so cool to learn about, but I’d never want to see it up close and personal.