Most signs on the road are so ubiquitous that drivers don’t have to think about them or wonder what they mean: stop, yield, one way, and so forth. Other signs are specific to their location and so rare that it may take you a moment to be sure you just read what you thought you did (especially when the sign in question concerns invisible animals). Here are six of the most unusual road signs you’ll find when driving around the world.

Invisible Cows – Hawaii

As a general rule, cows are visible to the human eye. That’s not always the case, however, particularly when driving near Mauna Kea, a volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii. “Beware of Invisible Cows: Most of the Mauna Kea access road below Hale Pohaku is open range, and the cows frequently cross the road,” reads one sign warning motorists to keep an eye out for their bovine friends. “Dark colored cows are often invisible in darkness and/or fog. Use extreme caution and drive very slowly in this open range.”

Octopus Warning – Scotland

Though it’s highly unlikely that an octopus and/or kraken will rise from the depths to pull your vehicle into the ocean on Scotland’s famous North Coast 500 tourist route, perhaps it isn’t impossible. That’s what this viral road sign in the village of Tongue would appear to be warning against, at least. It’s actually there to inform drivers that they’re close to the sea, but it’s more fun to imagine sea creatures — especially in the country that’s home to the Loch Ness Monster.

Migrating Amphibian Warning – Germany

Though we don’t tend to think of frogs and toads as migratory, spring sees them awakening from their winter torpor to find their way back to their spawning grounds — including in Germany, where enough amphibians (including salamanders) make the yearly trek that it necessitates these road signs. It’s a good reminder for drivers to be more mindful of the creatures who share our roads, which, as we all know, are especially dangerous for frogs. 

Camel Crossing – Canary Islands

There are indeed canaries on the Canary Islands, but given that they can fly, you don’t really need to worry about them when you’re driving. (And anyway, the islands are named for dogs, not birds.) However, you may need to keep an eye out for dromedary (one-humped) camels, which were introduced to the Spanish islands in the 15th century — long before cars came around to make crossing the road less safe for them. Today, they’re mostly used for tourist excursions but can be seen near the steep and windy roads of these volcanic islands.

Beware of Road Surprises – United Arab Emirates

This is good advice anywhere, but the United Arab Emirates takes extra care to warn drivers. Often spotted in and around Abu Dhabi, the country’s capital, the yellow “Beware of Road Surprises” sign is a good reminder that the car in front of you could stop abruptly, the hilly terrain can result in rocks falling and damaging your vehicle, and traffic conditions can quickly change. You can never be too careful, after all.

Wildlife and Cyclists on Road – Australia

There are more kangaroos than people in Australia, and you’ll find them on and near the country’s roads. There are plenty of signs related to them, including one that informs drivers they’re near a reproduction area and another informing motorists that both kangaroos and cyclists share the road with drivers. There probably aren’t any kangaroo cyclists, despite what the sign visually suggests, but stranger things have happened Down Under.