27 Jaw-Dropping Facts That’ll Have You Questioning Everything, And Then Running To Tell Literally Everyone You Know
1. Bananas Are Berries, But Strawberries Aren’t
Yep, you read that right! Botanically speaking, bananas are classified as berries, while strawberries don’t make the cut. Mind-blowing, huh?
2. Honey Never Spoils
That jar of honey in your pantry? It could last forever! Archaeologists have found pots of honey in ancient Egyptian tombs that are over 3,000 years old and still perfectly edible.
3. Humans Share 50% of Their DNA with Bananas
Next time you eat a banana, just remember: you’re more alike than you might think. Humans and bananas share about half of their genetic material!
4. Octopuses Have Three Hearts
Two pump blood to the gills, while the third pumps it to the rest of the body. Talk about having a lot of heart!
5. You Can’t Hum While Holding Your Nose
Go ahead, give it a try. When you hum, air has to escape through your nose. Blocking it makes humming impossible!
6. There Are More Stars in the Universe Than Grains of Sand on Earth
Think about that next time you’re at the beach. The universe is absolutely massive, filled with billions upon billions of stars.
7. A Day on Venus Is Longer Than a Year on Venus
Venus rotates so slowly that it takes longer to complete one rotation (243 Earth days) than it does to orbit the Sun (225 Earth days).
8. The Eiffel Tower Can Be 15 cm Taller During the Summer
The iron structure expands when heated. So, during hot days, the Eiffel Tower can actually grow a bit taller!
9. Wombat Poop Is Cube-Shaped
Wombats produce cube-shaped poop. This unique shape prevents the droppings from rolling away, helping them mark their territory.
10. The Shortest War in History Lasted 38 Minutes
The Anglo-Zanzibar War of 1896 is the shortest recorded war, lasting only 38 minutes!
11. A Group of Flamingos Is Called a “Flamboyance”
How fitting! These vibrant birds definitely live up to their group name.
12. The Inventor of Pringles Is Buried in a Pringles Can
Fred Baur, who created the iconic Pringles can, requested to be buried in one. His family honored his wish after he passed away in 2008.
13. There’s a Basketball Court in the Supreme Court Building
It’s known as the “Highest Court in the Land.” Above the actual courtroom, justices and their clerks can shoot some hoops.
14. Sea Otters Hold Hands While Sleeping
This adorable behavior keeps them from drifting apart in the water while they nap. Talk about relationship goals!
15. The Longest Time Between Two Twins Being Born Is 87 Days
In 2012, twins Amy and Katie were born 87 days apart. This unusual birth set a world record.
16. Cows Have Best Friends
Studies have shown that cows form close bonds with each other and experience stress when separated from their BFFs.
17. The First Computer Bug Was an Actual Bug
In 1947, a moth got stuck in a relay of the Harvard Mark II computer. This was the first recorded instance of a “computer bug.”
18. A Day on Mercury Lasts About 59 Earth Days
Mercury rotates very slowly, taking about 59 Earth days to complete one full rotation.
19. Sloths Can Hold Their Breath Longer Than Dolphins
Sloths can hold their breath for up to 40 minutes, quite a bit longer than dolphins, who need to surface for air every 10 minutes or so.
20. A Blue Whale’s Heart Is the Size of a Small Car
The blue whale, the largest animal on Earth, has a heart that can weigh as much as a small car and is big enough for a human to crawl through its arteries.
21. Pigeons Can Do Math
Pigeons have been shown to be able to perform basic arithmetic. They can even differentiate between different numbers of objects.
22. A Leap Year Isn’t Exactly Every Four Years
While most of us think leap years happen every four years, there’s a slight twist. If a year is divisible by 100 but not by 400, it’s not a leap year. So, 2100 won’t be a leap year!
23. There Are More Fake Flamingos in the World Than Real Ones
Thanks to those famous pink lawn ornaments, the number of fake flamingos far surpasses the real ones in the wild.
24. A Chef’s Hat Has 100 Folds
The 100 folds in a traditional chef’s hat, or “toque,” are said to represent the 100 ways to cook an egg.
25. A Jiffy Is an Actual Unit of Time
In scientific terms, a “jiffy” is 1/100th of a second. So, when you say you’ll be back in a jiffy, you’re being more precise than you thought!
26. Peanuts Aren’t Nuts
Despite their name, peanuts are legumes, like beans and lentils. They grow underground, unlike true nuts that grow on trees.
27. The Shortest Commercial Flight in the World Lasts Just 57 Seconds
The flight between the islands of Westray and Papa Westray in Scotland takes less than a minute. It’s quicker than most TV commercials!
There you have it! These facts are sure to amaze and entertain everyone you know. Happy sharing!
