Entertainment
25 Weirdly Interesting Facts That’ll Blow Your Mind
By Jake Beardslee · August 15, 2024
From Germany's 25,000 castles to the legal protection of Bigfoot in Washington state, these 25 weirdly interesting tidbits will expand your knowledge and leave you in awe of the world's oddities: Cédric Péneau / Wikimedia
1. A Castle Kingdom
Germany boasts an impressive 25,000 castles, far outnumbering the 13,000 McDonald's in the United States. Michael Hamments / Unsplash
2. Sasquatch Sanctuary
In the state of Washington, a law exists that explicitly prohibits the killing of Bigfoot and other sasquatch-like creatures. Whether you believe in their existence or not, it's comforting to know these elusive beings have some legal protection. Gratisography / Pexels
3. Unexpected Dangers
While dogs are often considered man's best friend, they are also one of the three deadliest animals in the UK, alongside bees and cows. Chevanon Photography / Pexels
4. Silent But Deadly
Sloths are notoriously slow, and that includes their digestion. In fact, they digest food so slowly that they can't physically fart. Instead, the gases are reabsorbed into their bloodstream and expelled through their breath. Miguel Cuenca / Pexels
5. A Cheesy Cavern
Deep in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, there are caves that store a mind-boggling 1.4 billion pounds of government-owned cheese. Kept at a constant 36ºF, these limestone-converted mines house a cheese stockpile that could feed a nation. NastyaSensei / Pexels
6. The Battle Against Desire
Believe it or not, cornflakes were originally invented to suppress carnal impulses and desires. John Harvey Kellogg, the creator of cornflakes, believed that a bland diet would help curb any urges. Engin Akyurt / Pexels
7. The Hidden Culprit
Cockroach dust, a common allergen in inner-city environments, is a contributing factor to the high rates of asthma among children living in these areas. Erik Karits / Pexels
8. Weighty Wonders
A single cloud can weigh an astonishing 550 tons or more. That's equivalent to the weight of about 100 elephants floating in the sky. Pixabay / Pexels
9. Mac & Cheese Mania
Canadians consume a whopping 55% more Kraft macaroni and cheese than Americans. It seems our neighbors to the north have a serious love affair with this cheesy comfort food. Bodhi Peace / Wikimedia
10. Power Naps
Giraffes in the wild only sleep for around five minutes at a time. Due to the constant threat of predators, they sleep standing up and in short bursts, always ready to flee at a moment's notice. Frans van Heerden / Pexels
11. The Doggfather's Roots
Snoop Dogg, the iconic rapper, was born Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. It's a reminder that even the biggest stars have humble beginnings. Tulane Public Relations / Wikimedia
12. The Mighty Mantis
Despite being only four inches long, the mantis shrimp packs the fastest punch in the world. Its punches can reach speeds of up to 50mph, enough to shatter glass tanks. Jens Petersen / Wikimedia
13. Lonely No More
In Switzerland, it is illegal to own just one guinea pig or parrot. These social animals require companionship, and the law ensures they are not kept in isolation. Frans van Heerden / Pexels
14. Electric Fury
On average, lightning strikes the Earth 100 times per second. That's a staggering 8.6 million strikes every single day. Philippe Donn / Pexels
15. A Bare Necessity
Winnie the Pooh, the beloved bear, was banned from a Polish playground because he doesn't wear pants. It seems even fictional characters aren't immune to wardrobe controversies. Mhsheikholeslami / Wikimedia
16. Broccoli Bubblegum
In an attempt to get kids to eat more vegetables, McDonald's once engineered bubblegum-flavored broccoli. Unsurprisingly, it didn't catch on. Cats Coming / Pexels
17. Tongue-Tied
Blue whales are the largest animals on Earth, and their tongues alone can weigh more than an elephant. Daniel Ross / Pexels
18. Redhead Resilience
Due to their genes, redheads may require up to 20% more anesthesia than non-redheads. Matheus Bertelli / Pexels
19. Barbie's Full Name
Barbie, the iconic doll, has a full name: Barbara Millicent Roberts. It's a reminder that even the most familiar figures have hidden depths. Tara Winstead / Pexels
20. Infinite Possibilities
There are more possible chess game variations than there are atoms in the universe. sk / Pexels
21. A Unique Exit Strategy
The warty comb jellyfish lacks an anus, so when it needs to poop, its gut fuses with its outer layer to create a temporary hole. Once the deed is done, the hole closes back up. Benoît Prieur / Wikimedia
22. Monkey Feast
In Thailand, an annual Monkey Buffet Festival takes place where residents leave 4.5 tons of fruit, vegetables, and other treats for the 3,000 monkeys living near the Phra Prang Sam Yot temple. Mr.Peerapong Prasutr / Wikimedia
23. A Boozy Measurement
A buttload is an actual unit of measurement, equivalent to 126 gallons of wine. Pixabay / Pexels
24. Pale and Dangerous
In Victorian times, people consumed arsenic to achieve a paler complexion. It's a chilling reminder of the lengths people would go to for beauty in the past. Suzy Hazelwood / Pexels
25. A Bone-Chilling Decoration
In Czechia, there's a church adorned with the bones of 40,000 people. It's a macabre yet fascinating example of how different cultures approach death and remembrance. Interfase / Wikimedia