Welcome to an amazing journey of discovery and intrigue! In this document, we will traverse the realms of the unknown, unearthing facts that have slipped under the radar of mainstream knowledge.
20 Surprisingly Unknown Facts
Prepare to be astonished, amused, and enlightened as we check out “20 Surprisingly Unknown Facts That Will Leave You Wondering How You’ve Missed Them.” Fasten your seatbelts, folks, and get ready to have your mind blown by the fascinating mysteries that our world holds!
The World’s Oldest Known Recipe Is for Beer
Found on a 4,000-year-old Sumerian tablet, this recipe is a hymn to Ninkasi, the goddess of beer.
Ostriches Can Outrun Horses
Surprisingly, ostriches are not just large birds; they can sprint up to 60 mph, outpacing most horses.
Did you know that ostriches, despite their inability to fly and having only two toes, are actually one of the fastest animals on the planet? They can outpace a horse for a staggering 30 minutes! The only creature that can surpass their speed is the majestic cheetah. Nature never fails to amaze us!
Bananas Are Berries
Technically, bananas fall into the botanical category of berries, while strawberries do not.
A Group of Flamingos Is Called a Flamboyance
This name is as extravagant as these birds’ unique color and behavior.
Dolphins Have Names for Each Other
They communicate using a unique whistle to identify each other, similar to how humans use names.
According to NPR, researchers have discovered that dolphins utilize specific whistles to call one another when separated, a behavior previously observed only in humans. This finding establishes dolphins as the first non-human animals known to engage in such communication.
More People Live in Asia Than Outside It
With about 4.6 billion people, Asia has more inhabitants than the rest of the world combined. According to Statista, by mid-2022, Asia was home to a staggering 60 percent of the world’s population, with a whopping 7.92 billion people inhabiting our planet!
Australia Has Over 10,000 Beaches
Visit Australia states that Australia boasts an astonishing number of nearly 12,000 beaches lining its vast 60,000km (37,282 mi) coastline.
Imagine this: if you embarked on a mission to visit one beach per day, it would take you over 32 years to experience the sheer beauty of them all. Time to start planning that epic beach adventure! 🏖️🌊
Polar Bears Have Black Skin
Under their thick, white fur, their skin is black to absorb and retain heat from the sun. WWF says that polar bears have jet-black skin beneath all that thick fur.
It’s true! Their fur is also translucent, giving them a beautiful white appearance as it reflects visible light.
An Average Cloud Weighs About 1.1 Million Pounds
According to the United States Geological Survey, within a colossal 1 cubic kilometer (km3) cloud, an astounding 1 billion cubic meters of water droplets are suspended. Let’s do the math: 1,000,000,000 multiplied by 0.5 equals 500,000,000 grams of water droplets!
That’s approximately 500,000 kilograms or a whopping 1.1 million pounds (around 551 tons). Incredible, isn’t it? But it floats because the water droplets are dispersed over a large space.
Venus Rotates in the Opposite Direction To Other Planets
Most planets rotate counter-clockwise on their axis, but Venus, intriguingly, spins clockwise. On Venus, a planet full of mysteries, the Sun defies convention as it rises in the west and sets in the east. A celestial phenomenon that captivates the imagination!
Octopuses Have Three Hearts
According to the Natural History Museum, does an octopus have not one, not two, but three hearts? Each heart has its unique role in keeping this incredible creature alive and thriving.
One heart tirelessly circulates blood throughout the body, while the other two work harmoniously to pump it towards the gills, ensuring constant oxygen.
Honey Never Spoils
Archaeologists have found honey pots in ancient Egyptian tombs that are over 3,000 years old but still perfectly edible.
Natural, properly preserved honey is practically eternal. It’s true! While we may not encounter ancient honey daily, this incredible discovery proves that real honey can stand the test of time if stored correctly. So, next time you enjoy a spoonful of this golden goodness, remember its remarkable longevity!
The Eiffel Tower Leans Away From the Sun
Heat expands its sun-facing side, causing it to lean up to 7 inches away from the sun. According to La Tour Eiffel Site Official, heat can make the magnificent Eiffel Tower grow a few millimeters taller.
As the temperature rises, the tower expands and tilts slightly away from the sun. With its unique design, the sun’s rays hit only one side, creating an intriguing imbalance that causes the iconic structure to lean. Talk about the fascinating effect of heat on architecture!
Glass Balls Can Bounce Higher Than Rubber Ones
Solid glass bounces higher because it’s harder and more capable of conserving energy. Illinois Physics Van says that ordinary glass is way stiffer than ordinary rubber.
You’d need a lot more force to bend glass out of shape than a rubber object of the same shape. It’s fascinating how materials can behave so differently!
Most Elephants Weigh Less Than a Blue Whale’s Tongue
An average blue whale’s tongue weighs around 6 tons, more than many elephants! National Geographic states that a blue whale’s tongue can weigh as much as an elephant’s body. And that’s not all; its heart can weigh as much as an automobile! Absolutely mind-blowing!
Dinosaurs Lived on Every Continent
Dinosaur fossils have been found on every continent on Earth, including Antarctica. The United States Geological Survey states that at the dawn of the age of dinosaurs, around 230 million years ago in the Triassic Period, the continents were united in a magnificent supercontinent known as Pangea.
Over 165 million years, as dinosaurs roamed the Earth, this colossal landmass gradually fractured and dispersed.
You Can’t Hum While Holding Your Nose
Ever wondered why this happens? Well, when you hum, you’re exhaling. So, if you try to hum with your mouth and nose closed, the air can’t escape.
It’s like a secret challenge, where you can only hum briefly before you’re forced to open your mouth and catch your breath. If you don’t believe it, try it now!
An Apple, Potato, and Onion All Taste the Same if You Eat Them With Your Nose Plugged
They all have similar sugar and acid levels influencing the taste you get when your sense of smell is disabled.
Giraffes Have the Same Number of Neck Vertebrae as Humans
Despite their long necks, giraffes only have seven neck vertebrae, the same number humans have.
The Shortest War in History Lasted 38 to 45 Minutes
The Anglo-Zanzibar War of 1896 is the shortest recorded war in history. Wikipedia states that a fleeting clash spanned 38 to 45 minutes, etching its name as the shortest recorded war.
The catalyst? The mysterious demise of the pro-British Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini on August 25, 1896, and the ensuing ascension of Sultan Khalid bin Barghash.
15 Crazy Facts About Earth You Never Learned in School
Welcome, dear Earthlings! Before you ask, this isn’t a quiz show, and there won’t be a pop quiz at the end. But buckle up because what we’re about to look at is far more intriguing. Who said the school had a monopoly on fascinating facts?
15 Crazy Facts About Earth You Never Learned in School
