Here are 10 random, weird and surprising facts that we bet you did not know.
-
1 A cloud weighs around a million tons
A cloud typically has a volume of around 1km3 and a density of around 1.003kg per m3 – that's a density that’s around 0.4 per cent lower than the air surrounding it
-
2 The Universe's average color is called Cosmic latte
In a 2002 study, astronomers found that the light coming from galaxies averaged into a beige colour that’s close to white.
-
3 Flamingos bend their legs at the ankle, not the knee
They essentially stand on tip-toe. Their knees are closer to the body and are covered by feathers.
-
4 Bananas Are Berries, But Strawberries Aren't
Scientifically, a berry is a fruit produced from the ovary of a single flower with seeds embedded in the flesh. By this definition, bananas qualify as berries, but strawberries do not, as they are derived from a flower with multiple ovaries.
-
5 Octopuses Have Three Hearts and Blue Blood
Octopuses possess three hearts; two pump blood to the gills, while the third circulates it to the rest of the body. Their blood is blue due to a copper-rich protein called hemocyanin, which is more efficient in cold and low-oxygen environments.
-
6 Honey Never Spoils
Archaeologists have found pots of honey in ancient Egyptian tombs that are over 3,000 years old and still perfectly edible. Honey's longevity is due to its low moisture content and acidic pH, which create an inhospitable environment for bacteria and microorganisms.
-
7 Vending Machines Kill More People Than Sharks
Statistically, vending machines are more deadly than sharks, as more people are reported to be killed by vending machines each year due to accidents, typically when machines are rocked or tilted and subsequently tip over.
-
8 Wombat Poop is Cube-Shaped
Wombats produce cube-shaped feces, a unique characteristic among animals. This is due to the extremely slow digestion process and the elasticity of their intestines, which shapes the poop.
-
9 There's a Species of Jellyfish That is Essentially Immortal:
The Turritopsis dohrnii, also known as the "immortal jellyfish," can revert back to its polyp stage after reaching maturity, essentially allowing it to bypass death, unless it succumbs to disease or predation.
-
10 The Eiffel Tower Can Be 15 Centimeters Taller During the Summer
When the temperature increases, the metal structure of the Eiffel Tower expands, causing the tower to grow in height by up to 15 centimeters (about 6 inches). This is a result of thermal expansion, a physical property of metal wherein it expands upon heating.