Thanks to Life Science, National Geographic, and other nature-related publications, we now know a gaggle of interesting facts and trivia about some of the most well known members of the animal kingdom, including the crocodile, birds, whales, and elephants. In this 5-part series, you will also shatter common animal myths. In this article, the focus is on whales and giraffes.
Whales
Whale milk is comprised of nearly 50% fat , 10 times more than the milk delivered to human babies. Calves emerge after spending a whopping 10 to 12 months in the womb, growing to about a third of the length of its mother. For example, a Blue whale baby measures 30 feet. Using muscles surrounding the mammary gland, the mother whale squirts milk into the mouth of her offspring while the baby holds tight to its nipple. This process allows calves to undergo great growth spurts , gaining up to 200 pounds per day. For more interesting facts about whales, check out the following pieces of trivia:
5 Whale Facts
1. The sperm whale possesses the largest brain in the animal kingdom , some weighing as much as 20 pounds. This species of whale can also hold its breath for up to an hour.
2. The blue whale is the largest animal in the world and has the potential to reach a length of up to 100 feet and weigh as much as a couple of elephants. The smallest species of whale is the harbor porpoise, which only grows to five feet in length.
3. As for the fastest of the whales, the fin whale can cover more than 20 miles per hour for short periods of time. When moving about the water, whales can stay under the water for five to 15 minutes at a time.
4. When the right whale is killed, it does not sink to the bottom of the ocean.
5. Narwhales have only two teeth , one hidden under their gums and in the males , another that emerges out of the head like a tusk. This tooth can reach lengths up to 8 feet long.
Giraffes
With necks that reach about 16 feet into the sky, the giraffe is known as one of the tallest animals on the planet. The long neck of this animal evolved over time when the creatures needed a way to reach leaves that other grazers could not get a hold of. While the height advantage comes in handy when it’s dinnertime, the trait can pose a problem for giraffes. For example, the heart must pump twice as hard as a cow’s to make sure blood reaches the brain of the giraffe. The body is equipped with a complicated blood vessel system to prevent blood from rushing to head when the creature is bent over. Below the heart, the skin surrounding the legs is very tight , to prevent blood from pooling at their hooves.
Check out the following five intriguing pieces of knowledge involving the giraffe:
5 Giraffe Facts
1. Giraffes usually reach heights between 15 and 19 feet tall , gaining up to 1,600 pounds in body weight.
2. Breaking leaves, twigs, thorns, and other parts of a tree, the giraffe uses its tongue, which usually measures 16 inches long.
3. When giraffes reach their full speed potential, they can travel for up to 30 miles per hour.
4. With a keen sense of sight, giraffes can detect another animal for up to two mile away, making it pretty hard to sneak up on a giraffe in the grass.
5. Giraffes can survive up to two weeks without any water.
Source: Life Science
