Our world is full of surprises and animals never cease to amaze us. There are so many things yet to be uncovered but here are some mind-blowing facts from the animal kingdom that is sure to amaze you.
Hippos can produce their sunblock.
We spend so much on sunblocks but, did you know that hippos can produce their sunblocks? Hippo sweat scatters the light thus lowering the chances of sunburn. Even the wild is aware of the harm direct sunlight can cause, so don’t forget your sunscreen when you’re out.
Snakes sleep with their eyes open.
If you think you have seen a snake close its eyes or even blink, then that is just your imagination because snakes do not have eyelids. Instead, they have a thin membrane called a brille, which protects their eyes from dirt and dust. This scale also locks in moisture and keeps their eyes lubricated, without the need to ever blink.
All gorillas have different nose prints.
Like humans, every gorilla has a different noseprint. The researchers had to find a way to differentiate the gorillas they were observing. This is when they realized that their nose prints were unique and could be used to identify them.
Polar bears are black.
This one may be a shocker: polar bears are black. But don’t worry you don’t have to question your eyesight, because the fur seems white, at least that is what we see when we spot a polar bear. It is the skin underneath the fur that is black. Their fur isn’t even white, it is mostly translucent and looks white because of the refraction of light.
Porcupine quills have antibiotic properties.
Ironically, the quill that is meant for protection carries biotic properties. This is probably meant for the porcupines so they can heal themselves because they hurt themselves more often than not.
Ostrich’s brain is smaller than their eye.
Ostriches are the biggest bird in the world with a smaller eye-to-brain ratio. Yes, an ostrich’s brain is smaller than their eye. You may have seen their eyes so you can figure out how big the brain must be.
So, be empathetic and make sure you don’t make fun of them when you see them do something silly. They’re just ostriches!
Nature’s wealth of amazing facts never ceases to astound. The animal realm is full of surprises, from polar bears hiding black skin beneath their supposedly white coats to hippos making their sunscreen.
Every discovery that reveals a new wonder about the world we live in, like the lower brain size of ostriches than their eyes, the distinctive gorilla nose prints, or the antimicrobial qualities of porcupine quills, serves as a reminder of these wonders.
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FAQs
How do snakes sleep if they can’t blink?
There is a single translucent scale covering each eye. Similar to what an eyelid would accomplish, these eye scales shield the eyes from mechanical harm and keep them from drying out. In actuality, snakes evolved a different defense mechanism for their eyes. Because of this, snakes sleep with their eyes open and are unable to blink.
Which animal can’t blink?
All fish, snakes, geckos, slinks, and some lizards do not blink as they do not have eyelids.
Are porcupine quills antibiotics?
Antibiotic qualities are present in porcupine quills. The quills’ covering of free fatty acids, but not neutral lipids, is linked to antibiotic activity. Six gram-positive bacterial strains were significantly stopped from growing by quill fatty acid extracts.
Can porcupine quills transmit rabies?
Other than the possibility of contracting rabies, which affects all mammals, porcupines do not transmit any infectious diseases that pose a threat to human health.
What animal can produce its sunscreen?
A recent study found that many animals, particularly marine creatures like zebrafish and sea urchins as well as some birds, can produce their chemicals to protect themselves from the sun.
Do elephants make their sunscreen?
Elephants coat their skin with hay and dirt on their backs, which acts as a natural sunscreen.
Can I smile at a gorilla?
Yes but, gorillas may interpret a smile as a threat or a display of dominance.
Were polar bears always white?
In the distant past, when the climate in the north was warmer and there wasn’t as much snow, polar bears were brown bears. According to theory, they eventually turned out to be white due to a genetic abnormality that made their fur white.