“The more you know, the more you grow.” so the famous saying goes. Most of us will agree that the thirst for knowledge is one of the best character traits to have. Curious people are not only interesting conversational partners, but they’re also happier and healthier according to scientists from the University of California, Berkeley. Most importantly, though, learning and knowing more is simply fun! So join us in our quest for knowledge with these surprising but true facts about animals, humans, and civilizations.
1. The famous Greek physician Hippocrates believed holding an electric eel to the head could cure headaches. This was supposed to force out unwanted fluids from the head, which were the cause of headaches according to Hippocrates.
2. The volcanic system beneath Yellowstone National Park is so massive it could fill 11 Grand Canyons with magma.
3. Babies exposed to sign language at a young age "babble" with their hands, displaying rhythmic hand movements. Even hearing babies can do this.
4. A wasp sting contains chemicals other wasps perceive as a signal to sting you as well.
5. The first cookies were just pieces of leftover dough used to test the oven temperature before baking. These so-called "test cakes" were the great-great-grandparents of modern cookies.
6. Alligators in Louisiana have learned to balance twigs on their noses to tempt birds. They do this specifically during nesting season when the birds are actively searching for materials to build nests.
7. All three of the biggest statues in the world depict the Buddha. The biggest statue on the planet is the Leshan Giant Buddha (pictured below). It is 71 meters (233 ft) tall.
8. African giant buffalo herds can vote where they prefer to travel. They do this by standing up, looking in a specific direction, and then lying back down. Interestingly, only adult females can vote.
9. Medical dramas are overly optimistic. A study shows that the survival rate of patients with cardiac arrest in these TV series is more than 75 percent. In reality, it's much lower - about 10.6 percent.
10. There are several species of shark capable of walking. The Epaulette shark of Australia and a few other species of small shark can move their fins to walk on the seafloor or even outside the water.
