Crazy Animal Facts
These two common household pets aren’t colorblind, but they do see color in a reduced range compared to humans
What are dogs and cats?
Each has limited color perception because they have two types of color receptors (cones). Humans have three types of cones, so they see more colors.
This term applies to the science of growing plants
What is horticulture?
Horticulturists study the processes of growing fruits, vegetables, and flowers for eating and for ornamental purposes.
These birds were used to carry messages over long distances
What are pigeons?
The invention of the telegraph led to the replacement of carrier pigeons. They’re also known as homing birds because of their ability to find their way home from great distances.
This sea creature has five arms and can regrow them if lost
What is a starfish?
Starfish (or sea stars) can grow back severed arms, and in some cases, a single severed arm can regenerate an entirely new body, provided part of the central disk is attached
Many believe animals can sense this type of major earth event in advance
What is an earthquake?
There’s no concrete evidence to suggest animals receive advanced warning, but researchers have documented unusual behavior in animals prior to earthquakes, clues that they might detect vibrations or changes in groundwater before humans do.
These highly intelligent garbage-digging bandits have human-like fingers
What are raccoons?
They are more closely related to bears than they are to cats.
This plant is one of the fastest-growing plants with a woody stem
What is bamboo?
It can grow up to 35 inches in a single day.
This wading bird is revered for its striking pink color
What is the flamingo?
Although they are wading birds, they can fly. When they fly, you can see their black flight feathers.
This long, snake-like fish can generate electricity
What is an eel?
Electric eels are snake-like South American freshwater fish capable of generating high-voltage electricity, delivering shocks of up to 860 volts to hunt prey, defend themselves, and navigate murky water.
Some call our representatives in Washington “congresscritters,” but on a serious note, in Talkeetna, Alaska, Mayor Stubbs was this kind of critter
What is a cat?
It seems the townsfolk wanted “none of the above” candidates on the ballot, so they campaigned for a write-in candidate and elected the feline Mayor Stubbs. He served as honorary mayor from 1997 to 2017.
These household pets are likely to sleep away the day and creep around the house at night
What are cats?
All the places you deem off-limits are theirs to roam during the wee hours. Cats are not technically nocturnal; their most active hours are dawn and dusk. But if you have indoor cameras, you can catch their sneaky overnight activity.
This country suffered from “tulip mania” during the 1600s
What is the Netherlands?
During this speculative craze, tulip bulbs traded like today’s futures rather than physical commodities. People invested, often with vouchers (IOUs), while the bulbs were still in the ground, receiving only a promissory note in return. In 1637, the bubble burst.
The increase in this is what signals to birds that it’s time to migrate north
What is daylight?
Certain hormones are triggered by increased light in the spring.
This sea creature has three hearts and blue blood
What is an octopus?
Octopuses possess three hearts and blue blood, which are specialized adaptations for survival in cold, low-oxygen deep-sea environments.
This tallest animal in the world sleeps only a few minutes at a time, with its neck arched and its head on its hindquarters or on the ground
What is the giraffe?
The giraffe’s unique sleep position and duration allow it to stay vigilant for predators.
This deadliest animal on Earth kills by carrying malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, and other diseases
What is the mosquito?
Their lifespans range from one week to one month.
Grass is green because of this pigment
What is chlorophyll?
Chlorophyll absorbs mostly blue and red light while reflecting green light, which is why plants appear green.
This flightless bird is found in New Zealand
What is a kiwi?
They are an endangered species, with only five percent of chicks surviving to adulthood.
This sea animal is known for its long tusk and is sometimes called the “unicorn of the sea”
What is a narwhal?
The "Unicorn of the Sea" refers to the narwhal, an Arctic whale with a long, spiraled tusk (actually a tooth) that fueled medieval legends of unicorns.
In 2008, these animals were observed to align their bodies facing north–south while grazing
What are cows?
German and Czech biologists noticed this on Google Earth, and in a paper in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, they claimed that it’s due to Earth’s magnetic field. Later studies challenged the findings.
These mammals are skilled swimmers and hold hands when they sleep in the water
What are sea otters?
Sea otters sleep while holding hands so they don’t drift apart. The playful mammals eat about 30 percent of their weight each day.
This popular backyard fruit has about 200 seeds on the outside is nearly 5,000 years old
What is the strawberry?
The strawberry belongs to the rose family, and it’s the only fruit with seeds on the outside. There is some evidence that strawberries can help prevent macular degeneration and rheumatoid arthritis, and with only about 55 calories per cup, they are the perfect guilt-free treat.
The emperor and king varieties of this bird lay only one egg during each breeding season
What is the penguin?
Other penguins lay two eggs each breeding season.
This large marine animal breathes air but spends most of its life in the ocean and is closely related to elephants
What is a manatee?
The manatee (or sea cow) is a large, air-breathing marine mammal that spends its entire life in the water, specifically in shallow coastal areas and rivers.
These large mammals can identify bones of their type, and they pay their respects to the dead
What are elephants?
They pay their respects not only to family members but also to other elephants by picking up and caressing the bones.