Did You Know #2

1. Cows Have Best Friends

Research shows cows form close friendships with specific herd mates. When separated, their heart rates rise, but they relax once they’re reunited. Farmers often see the same pairs spending most of their time together.

2. Honey Never Spoils

Honey’s low moisture and natural acidity keep bacteria from growing. Archaeologists have found jars in Egyptian tombs over 3,000 years old that were still edible. It’s one of the longest-lasting foods on Earth.

3. Penguins Propose With Pebbles

Male gentoo penguins search for smooth pebbles to present to a mate. If the female accepts, she adds it to her nest. It’s a simple, natural stand-in for a ring and the start of their bond.

4. You’re Taller in the Morning

Lying down at night lets the discs between your vertebrae re-expand. During the day, gravity compresses them again. The difference can be almost an inch between morning and bedtime.

5. Sea Otters Hold Hands While Sleeping

Otters nap together in floating groups called “rafts.” To avoid drifting apart, they hold hands. The behavior is practical and adorable—and helps them stay safe while they rest.

6. A Cloud Can Weigh a Million Pounds

Cumulus clouds look light, but they’re filled with tiny water droplets. Spread over a huge area, the water can add up to more than a million pounds, yet the cloud still floats due to warm, rising air.

7. Butterflies Taste With Their Feet

Sensors on their feet detect chemicals on leaves. With one landing, a butterfly can tell if a plant is safe for eggs and whether the future caterpillars will have food.

8. Space Smells Like Burnt Steak

Astronauts report a distinct scent clinging to suits after spacewalks—often described as seared steak, hot metal, or welding fumes. It likely comes from high-energy reactions in the vacuum.

9. A Day on Saturn Is Only 10 Hours

Saturn spins so fast that one rotation takes about 10.5 hours. The rapid spin also flattens the planet at the poles, giving it a slightly squashed shape compared to Earth.


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