The Planet Earth is full of amazing creatures, out of which animals are fascinating creatures. They come in all shapes and sizes, and each species has its own unique and exceptional characteristics. Some animals are domesticated and provide companionship, love, and friendship to humans, while others live in the wild and play crucial roles in their ecosystems.
Since we all are well aware of the fact that we all are co-dependent on each other. Many animals are capable of complex behaviors and have intelligence that rivals that of humans. It is important to appreciate and respect animals, as they are an integral part of our world and deserve our protection, love, care, and respect. It is very important for our future generations to know about animals.
So, here are the top 35 amazing animal facts that are going to make you go “WOW.”
1. Humming Birds are the Only Birds that Can Fly Backward
Yes, Hummingbirds can really fly backward. Even some hummingbirds can fly at speeds greater than 33 miles per hour. Hummingbirds can flap their wings up to 80 times per second. That’s actually super fast! The wings of hummingbirds are unique as they can rotate at the shoulder joint, allowing them to hover in place and fly backward. They are incredibly strong for their size, allowing them to perform intricate aerial maneuvers with ease.
2. South American Goliath Bird Eater is the Largest Spider
Well, this is quite an impressive creature. It is one of the largest spiders in the world, with a leg span of up to 11 inches! Despite its intimidating size, it is not actually a threat to humans, as it primarily feeds on insects and small animals. It is also known for its unique defense mechanism of rubbing legs together to create a hissing sound.
3. Giant Pacific Octopus has 9 Brains, 3 Hearts, and Blue Blood
This is another fascinating creature. It is the largest octopus species in the world, with some individuals reaching up to 16 feet in length and weighing over 100 pounds! These giant Pacific octopuses are known for their intelligence and ability to solve puzzles. They primarily feed on crabs, clams, and other shellfish and have been observed using powerful beaks to break open the toughest shells.
4. Sloths Spend About 90% of Their Life Living in a Tree
Sloths are considered very sleepy animals. These drowsy animals sleep 20 hours a day. They barely move when they are awake. They are super-sluggish, and algae grow on their fur. That is why we have heard this phrase often “Why are you so lazy? Are you a sloth?” Basically, lazy people are often referred to as sloths!
5. Lions are Very Lazy Creatures
Being socially active, lions have one more side to them, which is their laziness. Yes, Lions are one of the laziest animals. Being good at actively participating in hunting and other activities, lions never miss a chance to take naps. It is a misconception that lions are sluggish and lazy, but they are only so while sleeping.
6. There are Over 470 Million Dogs in The World. That Is 1 Dog for Every 16 People
Yes, that’s true, there are over 470 million dogs in the world, and as a matter of fact, there is 1 dog for 16 people. From 15,000 years ago, dogs have been the favorite animals of human beings when it comes to domestication. They are present in different breeds, and their behavior also differs from each other. People domesticate the god breeds that look more compatible with them.
7. Polar Bears are Not White
Polar bears are not actually white in color; the climate and lighting of their surroundings determine the color of their fur. Their furs are actually transparent and hollow. That is why the color appears to differ depending on their surroundings. When the light strikes them, some of it gets absorbed and gets scattered in their furry body, which makes it appear that way.
8. The Eyes of An Ostrich are Bigger Than Its Brain
Indeed! The eyes of an ostrich are way bigger than its brain. The eyes of an ostrich are the biggest bird’s eyes and are even bigger than many large mammals. But that doesn’t mean that they have a small brain or they are dumb. Instead, it is a case of bigger eyes rather than smaller brains.
9. Mammals that Can Fly are Bats
Watching mammals fly seems more like a fantasy and less like a reality. Where bats are the only mammals with this exceptional quality of flight. Mammals account for about 20% of all mammalian species. They have developed this absolutely amazing quality of flying, which makes them special mammals.
10. A Giraffe Has Seven Bones on Its Neck
Biologically, giraffes have the same amount of bones as humans. They have 7 neck vertebrae. Talking about the actual measurements, then it is 25.4 cm plus 10 inches long. Well, it is also said that every bone in a giraffe’s body is the same as the size of a human’s feet. So, a giraffe’s neck can grow to 7 feet long.
11. A Gorilla Nose Print is as Unique as a Human’s Fingerprint
Just like humans have their unique fingerprints, gorillas also have something that is not the same in anyone of them. That is their nose prints. Researchers use their nose prints to identify their identity and their type. Their nose prints help researchers to keep a record of their individual growth and activities throughout their lifetime.
12. Male Rhinos are Called Bulls, and Female Rhinos are Called Cows
Well, yes, that is true. The male rhinos that are more solitary and territorial together in a group are called ‘bulls.’ Whereas the female rhinos that are good at socializing and prefer to be sociable in the group are called ‘cows.’ However, the group of rhinos is called ‘crash.’
13. Starfish aren’t Even Fish
Even after living under the sea, starfish are not considered fish. Starfish are marine invertebrates and echinoderms. They lack fins, backbones, and tails. According to scientists, they are considered sea stars instead of actual fish. Well, as we know how beautiful they look underwater, their exceptional and magical appearance is what attracts us the most.
14. A Grizzly Bear’s Bite is so Strong that It Can Even Cut a Bowling Ball
We all are well aware of the strength of bears. Not just their body and limbs but their teeth are also very strong. Their bite has a force of 1,1900 PSI, but the fear awakens when there comes the threat of their bite force reaching up to 1,200 PSI. The bears are no doubt incredibly strong. Talking about the other species of bears, like black bears, they don’t have as strong a bite as grizzle bears.
15. Humans Share 98.8% of Chimpanzee DNA
Chimpanzees are found in the west and central Africa. It is said that Chimpanzees are the closest relatives to humans. The DNA of chimpanzees is 5% different from that of humans. Monkeys and chimpanzees basically belong to the same families. Statistically, we humans are 98.8% similar to chimpanzees. This is due to some of the similar basic functions across the animal kingdom.
16. Camels Can Drink 50 Gallons of Water in One Minute
Camels are well known for their strong abilities to be able to stay fit and fine without water for nearly 2 weeks. They can actually drink 50 gallons of water in one minute. However, it is necessary for them to eat vegetarian food and walk at a normal pace. Their body has evolved in the habitat they live in, and they have evolved perfectly to cop in desert areas.
17. Snakes Can See with Their Eyes Closed
So, snakes have two stages of sleep. The first stage of their sleep is rapid eye sleep. Whereas the second stage of their sleep is the slow-wave sleep. Yes, snakes indeed sleep with their eyes open, and they don’t close their eyes while sleeping. It is because they don’t have eyelids. So, it is not their choice but their designed way of how they sleep.
18. If You Cut Off a Snail’s Eye, Can It Regenerate a New One
Snails are known as ‘Mystery Snails’ belonging to the family ‘Ampullariidae’. They have structurally complex eyes at the tip of the cephalic eyestalk. These snails have the quality of being able to regenerate their eye through mid-eyestalk. They also have one more ability to be able to regenerate their head after a few days.
19. A Butterfly Has Around 12,000 Eyes
The eyes that can see the wavelengths from 254 to 600nm, which includes ultraviolet light, are those of butterflies. Butterflies have both types of eyes, single and compound. Their single eye can see individual objects, whereas their 12000 compound eyes are their main eyesight. Butterflies are well known for their unforgettable beauty and colors, but who knows, they had 12000 eyes as well!
20. Do You Know How Penguins Propose?
This fact is one of the cutest and loveliest ones. Have you ever wondered how penguins propose to the one they fall in love with? Well, when a male penguin falls in love, then he finds the perfect pebble by searching everywhere with its utmost effort. Once he finds that one perfect pebble then, he goes it in front of his love, and that is how they propose to the love of their lives.
21. A Shrimp’s Heart is in Its Head
Without going so deep into it, we can say that a shrimp’s heart is located in its head. But if we talk about it scientifically, then there is something which is unspecific about this information. Actually, the shrimp’s heart is located in its thorax. The thorax of a shrimp is located right after its head. Both head and the thorax are covered for protection with the exoskeleton in shrimp.
22. Why Do Sea Otters Hold Hands While Sleeping?
Isn’t it actually extremely cute? Sea otters sleep by holding their hands tight. But why do they do so? They hold their hands tight while sleeping to make sure that they don’t set apart because of the flow in the sea or simply swirling in the sea. They are like best friends; they eat, sleep, play, give birth, and do all activities together. I find it super cute!
23. Cats Can’t Taste Sugar
Due to having a small number of taste buds, these cute little creatures can’t taste sugar. Not just sugar but cats can’t taste any of the sweet things. Sweet things are, however, not even good for their health. Apart from that, we all know how selective acts are when it comes to food, they want what they want, or else they don’t want it!
24. Do Worms Have 5 Hearts?
As we idolize the human heart as a “traditional heart.” So, worms, specifically “worms,” have five aortic arches that function the same as the human heart. So, yes, it is true that worms do have 5 hearts. Isn’t it truly fascinating how every being totally different from one another is still somehow connected to each other? This is what we call the magic of nature.
25. What Do We Call a Group of Owls?
Owls are found mostly alone and isolated. But they do have their own groups. They come in groups generally at the time of mating. The group of owls is called Parliament. Isn’t it interesting that the group of owls’ names is related to the judicial term? Well, we found it super interesting.
26. Did You Know that Horses and Cows Can Sleep While Standing Up?
As we are well aware of the two stages of sleep, One is the REM (Rapid-Eye movement) sleep, and the other one is the slow-wave sleep. So, when horses and cows appear to be sleeping while standing up, that is either they are in a state of drowsiness, or they are in the slow-wave sleep stage.
27. A Blue Whale’s Heart is Large Enough a Human Child Can Swim Through the Veins
It is well-known how large a whale’s heart is! A whale’s heart can weigh more than 400 lbs. To get blood through the large body of the blue whale, it has large arteries that pump blood from the heart to the different parts of the body. The arteries are so large that a full-size human can swim into them. The aorta itself measures up to 9 inches.
28. Frogs Can Absorb Water and Oxygen Directly Through Their Skin
It is very important for frogs to keep their skin moist because it helps them in breathing and absorbing oxygen through their moist skin. Frogs use their moist skin to absorb oxygen even underwater, but if there is not enough oxygen present underwater, then they drown. So, we can see how crucial it is for frogs to keep their skin moist and can’t survive longer with their skin being dry.
29. Turkeys Can Recognize Themselves in a Mirror
Yes, turkeys can actually recognize themselves in front of a mirror. These confident, witty, and gorgeous-looking creatures are actually sensible enough to know that the reflection shown in the mirror is not some other kind from one of them, but it is actually them. I really felt awesome after reading this fascinating fact about turkeys.
30. Well, Elephants Can Also Recognize Themselves in a Mirror
Well, elephants can also recognize themselves in a mirror. As soon as they see a mirror in front of them, they start to repeat their actions, and if they seem to look exactly the same with the same turning of time, they understand that whatever they are seeing is not some other friend of theirs, but it is they themselves. They figure out their reflection in the mirror very easily.
31. A Rat Laughs When Tickled
I have always found rats to be super cute and notorious for their actions. But I never thought that just like us humans, they also have a response when tickled. Actually, rats have a ‘laugh center’ in their brain, then makes them laugh when tickled. But here is an exception, they laugh only when they are tickled in a good mood, and the laugh can’t be expected while they are being tickled in a bad mood.
32. The Eyes of a Giant Squid Can Be as Large as a Dining Plate
You might also get shocked like this when you see that the size of a giant squid’s eye could be as large as a dining plate. The eyes of a giant squid add up to 10 inches in radius. The simplest explanation of their eyes’ size is as large as a dining plate. In other words, we can also say that it is as big as a human brain.
33. Honeybees Can Recognize Human Faces
It is said that the size of the brain of a honeybee is the same size as the size of a poppy seed. Although it is so, they still have this amazing capability of recognizing human faces. But how? Honeybees capture the special features of the human faces they already interacted with, and then they never forget those captured features of the human they already interacted with. So, next time you plan to mess with a honeybee, remember this fact!
34. African Elephants have the Longest Pregnancy of All Animals
Elephants are the most intelligent, largest, and biggest-brained animals. And so, it is very natural for them to take more time in the developmental period than other mammals. An elephant carries their young in their womb for 18 to 22 months, which makes its pregnancy period the longest among all living mammals. It is because there is a lot to be developed when it comes to an elephant’s offspring.
35. Axolotl Can Regenerate Its Limbs, Spine, Heart, and Other Organs
That is true that the axolotl has the magical power to regenerate its limbs, spine, heart, and other organs. Unlike humans, they can actually regenerate their body organs, as mentioned above. You can either call it a “superpower” or a “magical gift” that they have! But we are also aware of the fact that they are not the only creatures of the animal kingdom who can do that. Many other creatures in the animal kingdom can do regeneration of their body organs.
Winding Up
All in all, learning about animal facts has been an eye-opening experience. Not only will the students gain a greater appreciation for the diversity of life on this planet, but they will also become more aware of the impact humans have on these creatures and their habitats. It is important that we continue to educate ourselves and take action to protect these amazing animals for future generations to enjoy. The more we know about them, the better equipped we are to make informed decisions and create a world where both humans and animals can thrive.
We must respect and love them, and it is our duty to care about them. We must teach our kids and students that if anyone can’t do something specific for animals, then they should do one simple thing, and that is watching their every action with respect to the life and habitat of the animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is It Important to Share Animal Facts with Your Students?
First and foremost, it helps to increase their understanding and appreciation of the natural world around them. In addition, sharing animal facts with students can also help to inspire a sense of curiosity and wonder. Furthermore, learning about animals can also help to promote empathy and compassion.
How Can These Animal Facts Add to Our Students’ Learning?
Animal facts are a wonderful way to enhance our students’ learning. By sharing interesting details about animals, we can engage our students and help them learn about important concepts like biology, ecology, and environmental science.
How Important Is It for Us to Conserve These Animals?
It is vital for us to conserve these animals. They are a crucial part of our ecosystem, and their disappearance can cause a ripple effect on the environment. Protecting them ensures that we maintain a balanced ecosystem and preserve the diversity of life on our planet. Additionally, many of these animals have cultural and historical significance, and their extinction would mean losing a vital part of our heritage.
What is the Best Way to Teach Students About Animals?
One of the best ways to teach students about animals and their livelihood is through interactive activities. For example, taking a field trip to a local zoo or aquarium can allow students to observe and learn about animals up close. Additionally, using multimedia resources such as videos, pictures, and digital simulations can make the lessons more engaging and memorable for students.
