Nature is full of incredible surprises, but some animal facts are so bizarre, they sound like they’re straight out of a sci-fi movie. Who knew moose could dive 20 feet deep? And who knew panda’s fake pregnancies for special treatment when they’re in captivity? The natural world doesn’t just push the boundaries of belief, but it shatters them.
Some of these facts might make you laugh, others might leave you slightly disturbed, but all of them will give you a new outlook on the way you look at nature. Whether it’s an insect showing signs of extreme intelligence, or a mammal with powers you’d only expect in a comic book, these facts prove one thing: evolution has a great sense of humor, and we have no idea what animals are capable of. Here are 20 animal facts that seem totally made up, but aren’t.
1. A group of flamingos is called a “Flamboyance”
Could they be any more fabulous? These large pink birds gather in big colorful groups that live up to their stylish name.
2. There’s a jellyfish that can essentially live forever
The Turritopsis Dohrnii jellyfish can essentially live forever because it can revert its cells to an earlier stage of life and start over. Imagine being able to revert all your cells to the way they were when you were 20.
3. Sloths can hold their breath longer than dolphins
By slowing their heart rate in water, sloths can hold their breath for around 40 minutes, while dolphins can only hold their breath for about 10-15 minutes at a time.
4. Kangaroos can’t walk backwards
Hilariously, due to their muscular tails and overall structure, kangaroos are physically unable to walk backward.
5. Wombat feces is perfectly cube-shaped
Scientists assume that this happens because of the shape of their intestines, but another strong theory is that it helps mark their territory because the feces won’t roll away.
6. A narwhal’s horn is actually a tooth
Do you know that massive spiral horn that narwhals are famous for? Well it isn’t a horn, it’s a super-sensitive canine tooth that can grow up to 10 feet long and is packed with nerve endings.
7. Tigers have striped skin, not just striped fur
If you were to shave a tiger, under its fur would be stripes on its skin. The pattern is embedded in the skin and is totally unique, like a fingerprint.
8. Elephants can “hear” with their feet
Well, sort of. They pick up seismic vibrations through the ground and interpret them through sensitive nerve endings in their feet and trunks. These amazing animals can detect distant thunderstorms!
9. Ants have funerals
Some species of ants carry their deceased into a “graveyard” area in the colony. This now only shows intelligence, but a surprising awareness of hygiene and disease control as well.
10. Cows have best friends
I don’t know about you, but knowing that cows have best friends made my day a little bit better. These besties will get stressed when they’re separated, and some will even refuse to eat until reunited.
11. Some penguins propose with pebbles
Male Adelie penguins search for the smoothest pebble to offer their mate. If accepted, it will become a part of their nest, and the mating process begins. Be happy your relationship isn’t as material as these little guys.
12. Giraffes have the same number of neck bones as humans
That’s right, in each massive 6-foot giraffe neck, there are the same number of bones as there are in our little stumpy necks. The only difference? Giraffe bones are just way bigger.
13. Bees recognize humans
Using pattern recognition, bees can remember and distinguish human faces. That’s pretty impressive for a bug.
14. Penguins can “fly” underwater
While our little penguin friends are extremely slow on land, their flipper-powered swimming makes them incredibly agile in the water. Penguins can reach speeds of up to 23 miles per hour underwater, some even leaving a stream of bubbles behind them.
15. Moose can drive 20 feet underwater
Who else had no idea these massive animals could swim? Despite their size, moose are excellent swimmers and dive deep to graze on aquatic plants.
16. Pandas in captivity fake their pregnancies
Some female pandas have been known to show signs of pregnancy and be totally faking it. These pregnancies are called “pseudopregnancies” and it’s assumed they occur because the captive pandas want special food and treatment.
17. Some tarantulas keep frogs as pets
The Colombian lesser back tarantula has been observed sharing their burrows with dotted hummingfrogs. It’s a mutualistic relationship where the tarantula provides protection to the frog from larger animals, and the frog protects the tarantula’s eggs from insects.
18. Dolphins have names for each other
Dolphins use unique whistles to identify individuals, essentially calling each other by name. Scientists found that dolphins respond differently to recordings of their own signature, which shows an incredible level of intelligence.
19. Otters hold hands while they sleep
This trait isn’t just incredibly cute, but also very practical. When the tide is strong or the waters are rough, otters can hold hands to avoid drifting apart from each other. This gives them a sense of comfort and allows them to sleep peacefully.
20. A single teaspoon of honey represents the lifework of 12 bees
Think about this the next time you use honey, just one squeeze is the lifework of 12 bees. Bees need to pollinate thousands of flowers to make just one teaspoon of liquid gold.
