April 23, 2016

Did you know that the chocolate shop, Max Brenner, was named after TWO co-founders? Oded Brenner was the bald man behind all the sweets. He shadowed a chocolatier in Paris before creating his own shop with Max Fichtman in 1996 in Israel. Since then the store has expanded to a chain AND all of the chocolate is kosher. In case you guys haven't tried it, there's a store at Union Square. :P

April 22, 2016

Did you know that there are predatory worms lying underneath the sands of the ocean floor? The bobbit worm is an aquatic worm that bury itself underneath the sand and waits for a prey to swim by. This critter has 5 antennae, which it uses to detect prey close by. Once it senses a meal, it darts out of the sand and latches on with all of its sharp teeth. The worm can also inject a toxin into the prey, allowing the worm to stun or kill prey much larger than itself.

April 21, 2016

Did you know there is a 10 foot living fossil swimming in the freshwater bodies of North America? Usually found near the South, the alligator gar is the largest fish in the gar family. This primitive fish has kept some of the characteristics of its early ancestors such as the spiral valve intestine. It can also breathe underwater and on land thanks to its swim bladder. Now if the 10 foot part doesn't scare you, maybe the fact that these guys have two rows of jagged teeth on the top jaw will. This characteristic is not found in other gars. But thanks to those extra teeth, the fish can impale and hold prey.

April 20, 2016

Today is more like a fun fact about me.

Did you know that I like writing poems?

Almost An Adult

I am almost but not yet an adult.

Because I find that I have many faults.

There’s a lot I know and a lot I don’t know.

Mistakes will be made and sometimes my confidence fades.

But I remind myself that I am still a seed.

I depend on you friends to do me a good deed.

Please sprinkle some wisdom and occasionally constructive criticism.

Help knowledge take root and my skills bear fruit.

I promise with some patience and dedication,

I will tackle problems without hesitation.

But you might be teaching for a while because learning makes me smile.

No matter how old I may be, there’s always a bit of child still in me.

So I am almost but not yet an adult.

April 18, 2016

Did you know that nails can curve upward to look like spoons? This condition is called koilonychia and is actually pretty common. There is a dip in the nail bed that causes the nail above to also curve upward. However most cases are mild and the nails only appear wavy. Spoon nails can be related to trauma, iron-deficiency anemia or family history. In severe cases, the nails curve so much that they are able to hold droplets of water in the indents. The nails can even split down the middle!

April 17, 2016

Did you know that a rattlesnake's tail is made of the same material in your hair and nails? That's right! The rattle is made up of layers of keratin. The snake contracts special muscles to shake its rattle and the sound is amplified because the segments are hollow. When a rattlesnake is born, its "pre-button" falls off and the "button" is formed. As a rattle snake ages and sheds its skin, new layers are formed over the "button". However the number of layers is not a good indication of the snake's age because the rattle is prone to damage and can even fall off.

April 7, 2016

Did you know that pineapples are good for tenderizing meat? Pineapples contain a protein called bromelain. Bromelain is a protease, meaning it breaks down proteins. So when you eat pineapples, that protein is breaking you down too. :O But bromelain is used for more than just tenderizing meat (and your tongue). It can also be used in reducing inflammation, removing dead tissue, and slowing clotting.

Also recommended by a friend!

April 6, 2016

Did you know that dermestidae beetle larvae are used to clean bones for taxidermy? Most of these crawlers are scavengers, so they feed on decaying material. However they're not very picky. The larvae can be found eating skin, pollen, hair, dead insects, and even natural fibers. While some species are known to cause damage, a good number are used by natural history museums to clean animal bones. They have even been used to clean human skulls. What else do they clean? Cricket colonies! They clear out the dead ones so you can feed your reptilian friends the live ones!

Special thanks to a friend for the fact!