Interesting and Unbelievable Facts

The killer whale, also known as the orca, is a toothed whale and a member of the oceanic dolphin family.   The killer whale is the largest member of the oceanic dolphin family, with males and females reaching up to 8 m (26 ft.) and 7 m (23 ft.) in length, respectively. The largest recorded orca is a male with 9.8 m (32 ft.) length and more than 10 tones (22,050 lb.) weight. These mammals also have the tallest dorsal fins among crustaceans. The killer whale is also the fastest marine mammal that can reach the speed of 34.5 mph (55.5 km/h). ( Source ) Killer whales are the most widely distributed  mammals  after humans and brown rats. They are present in all oceans around the world. On occasions, killer whales may also enter freshwater rivers . ( Source ) Killer whales are social animals. They  form groups of up to 15 individuals. The groups may temporarily expand to hundreds of whales  and are dominated by female orcas. Killer whales have  sophisticated echolocation,  like other crusta

The sloth is an arboreal (tree-dwelling) mammal present in tropical forests of Central and South America . The sloth is the  world’s slowest mammal.  It can travel at a speed of 6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m) per minute on the ground. The pygmy three-toed sloth is the smallest, while the extinct Florida ground sloth was the largest sloth species. ( Source ) In contrast to slow locomotion on trees and ground, sloths can  swim relatively faster in water. It is mainly due to decreased gravity in water. Sloths spend a long duration of their daily routine  hanging upside down  from tree branches. They can easily do so without facing problems in breathing because their internal organs are attached to their ribs and hips. ( Source ) Sloths spend almost their  entire life hanging from the trees. They eat, sleep, mate, and even give birth while hanging from branches through their sharp and long claws. Sloths are generally nocturnal and solitary animals. However, three-toed sloths are sometimes active at

Kangaroos are part of mammals known as marsupials. These animals give birth to live offspring, but the young spend some time in the mother’s pouch. Kangaroo’s closest relatives are wallabies and wallaroos. Kangaroos are present only in Australia and Papua New Guinea . Different species of kangaroos live in flat open plains, forests , deserts , etc. Kangaroos have forward-opening pouches, while pouches in a few other marsupials (like koalas and wombats ) open backward. ( Source ) Compared to the 25 million population of Australia, there are around 50 million kangaroos in this country. These kangaroos are involved in more than 80% of vehicle-animal collisions annually. ( Source ) Kangaroo  meat is healthier  than lamb and beef. This meat is comparatively low in fat (including saturated fats) and high in protein, iron, and zinc. ( Source ) Female kangaroos can  freeze or accelerate  the development of their embryo through hormones, according to the necessity. ( Source ) According to a

The barn owl, also known as the Common barn owl , is a species of the family Tytonidae (barn owls). Barn owls are the most widely distributed species of owls. They are present everywhere on earth except in Antarctica and Micronesia. Barn owls eat a large number of rodent pests . It makes them more economically valuable compared to artificial methods. The length of barn owls is between 30 and 40 cm (12 to 16 inches). They have a wingspan of around 4 feet. Barn owls have heart-shaped faces without ear tufts. It is the reason that they are sometimes called “monkey-faced owls.” The eyes of barn owls are smaller and dark-colored, different from the large and yellow eyes of other owls. According to an estimate, the  global population of Common barn owls is from 4.5 million to more than 9 million. The population trend of barn owls is stable. It is the reason that they are placed at Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Unlike most other owls, barn owls don’t hoot . They produce long,

The giant panda, also known as the panda bear or the panda, belongs to the bear family. They  are native to the  temperate forests  of southwest China. The Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries in China is the largest contiguous habitat of these mammals. This UNESCO World Heritage Site contains more than 30% of the world panda population. ( Source ) In China, a company uses  pandas' feces  to make tissues and toilet paper. These are 10 to 20 times more expensive than ordinary tissues. ( Source ) The giant panda is the only animal not eaten by Chinese people. It is primarily due to the unpleasant taste of its meat. It is also the only bear not used in traditional Chinese medicine. ( Source ) Keeping pandas in a zoo is  more expensive  than any other animal. They cost five times more compared to elephants  in captivity. ( Source ) Conservation of the giant panda's habitat in China has saved several other animals and plants in areas around this territory. ( Source ) In contrast to oth

Stingrays belong to  sea rays (skates, electric rays, shovelnose rays, etc.). They are cartilaginous fish with a close relationship to sharks. There are several  types of stingrays . The most common ones are Deepwater stingrays, Round rays, Whiptail stingrays, Butterfly rays, Eagle rays, and Sixgill stingrays. These and other types of stingrays have unique features and separate habitats. ( Source ) Stingrays are known for the presence of a stinger or barb (spinal blade) in their tails. There are between one and three spinal blades in stingrays. In contrast to other venomous  animals  that store venom in glands, stingrays store their venom within tissue cells on the underside of their spines. Freshwater stingrays have more  toxic venom  than venom in saltwater stingrays. Stingrays injure thousands of people every year, but most of these are non-fatal. Around 80% of their victims are men. ( Source ) Apart from mammals , the ocellate river stingray is the only known animal that  chews its

Snowy owl belongs to the  true owl family . Its habitat includes tree-less areas like tundra and grasslands. It is also known as Arctic owl, polar owl, and white owl. The snowy owl is one of few species of  owls  that  build nests . They build these nests on the ground. In contrast, most owl species use nests abandoned by other animals.  Blackflies can  destroy the nests  of snowy owls. These insects infect both the adults and eggs of these birds. ( Source ) Snowy owls are capable of  swimming . These are one of few owl species that can swim for a long distance. ( Source ) The average length of  toe feathers  in snowy owls is 1.3 inches, the longest among owls. Comparatively, the great horned owl has the 2 nd  longest toe feathers with an average length of 0.5 in. Snowy owls have black markings during childhood. Male owls become  pure white as they age. Females have dark spots, and they never become completely white. The snowy owl is  one of the largest  owl species with a large wings

Rattlesnake belongs to the pit viper family . Copperheads and cottonmouths are the closest relatives of rattlesnakes.  Like other pit vipers, rattlesnakes have two pits under their nostrils. They detect heat and assist in hunting warm-blooded animals. The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the  largest venomous snake in North America and the longest rattlesnake species in the world. It can reach a length of 8 feet or more. These snakes can shake their rattle up to 90 times per second. During its lifetime, an eastern diamondback rattlesnake eats thousands of rodents. Like other cold-blooded animals , rattlesnakes can  remain alive for minutes or even hours after the decapitation of their head. A rattlesnake head can sense, flick the tongue and inflict venomous bites long after it has severed from the body. ( Source ) Scales on rattlesnake skin can  suck water and ice on the ground. It helps the snake to survive in a desert environment. ( Source ) There are  33 known species  and seve

The humpback whale is a species of baleen whale . They  are present in all  oceans  around the world. This marine mammal is the 8 th largest animal on earth. They can reach a length of 16 meters (52 feet) and attain 40 tons of weight. Females are larger than males. Humpback whales have the  longest pectoral fins  among cetaceans. These are also the longest appendages of any animal on earth . These fins comprise one-third of their total body length and can reach 15 feet or more. ( Source ) Several recorded incidents have proved that humpback whales  rescue other marine  animals  ( seals , sunfish, sea lions, porpoises, etc.) from killer whales. ( Source ) Humpback whales are extremely popular for whale watching . These friendly whales are the only baleen whales that practice breaching (coming completely out of water). It is also known as the most acrobatic whale for showing 15 different surface behaviors. Humpback whales are the only baleen whales that breach A unique feature of hump