Animal facts

Busted! 10 animal myths we all fell for

From bulls "hating" red to bats being "blind," we’ve all grown up believing certain things about animals that just aren’t true. Luckily, science has cleared things up, and many of these classic claims have been completely debunked. If you want to discover which ones didn’t pass, keep reading!

You’ve probably heard the expression "blind as a bat." But that saying is actually based on a myth. Bats do have functional eyes, and they can see quite well, even in low light. On top of that, they use echolocation (detecting objects through reflected sound), which helps them navigate with impressive accuracy in complete darkness.

If you ever find a baby bird that has fallen from its nest, here’s some good news: you can gently pick it up and place it back. The old myth that a mother bird will abandon her chick if it’s touched by a human has been debunked. The truth is that most birds have a poor sense of smell, so they won’t detect your scent. What can cause a mother bird to leave is excessive noise or human disturbance.

Have you ever touched a toad? Some people won’t go near them, while others would love to but worry they’ll catch something from their skin. Fortunately for us (and for the toads), that’s just a myth. Toads can’t give humans warts; those come from a virus that toads don’t carry. However, some species do have toxins or bacteria on their skin that can cause irritation, so it’s always a good idea to wash your hands in case you have to handle one.

For decades, cartoons have taught us never to wave anything red in front of a bull. But science tells a different and surprising story: bulls are actually colorblind to red. What really triggers their reaction isn’t the color, but the fast, sudden movement of the bullfighter’s cape.

You've probably heard the idea that goldfish have a memory span of only three seconds. But despite popular belief, studies show that goldfish can learn to associate certain stimuli with specific responses, linking a sound to feeding time, or recognizing their caregivers. And that kind of learning requires a memory far longer than just three seconds. Let's give more recognition to these beautiful fish!

Head lice can be a headache for school-age kids and their parents. For years, many believed that lice preferred dirty hair or oily scalps; however, that’s not true. But be careful: the opposite isn’t correct either! Lice can climb onto any head, clean or not. In the end, prevention is always your best defense.

Poor sloths! Even their name accuses them of the sin of laziness. But that reputation isn’t entirely fair. While it’s true that these mammals move far less than most animals, it’s not because they’re unwilling or "lazy"; their bodies just work differently. A sloth’s metabolism is roughly 45% slower than that of other animals of their size, which means everything they do takes more time.

Maybe someone once told you, "If you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you." While that’s usually true for honeybees, it’s not the case with wasps. Wasps tend to be far more temperamental, and they’re known to attack or sting even when they haven’t been provoked.

The scarcity of liquid in the desert has given rise to the belief that camels store water in their humps, but that’s a myth. Actually, their humps are filled with fat. Why fat? Well, that reserve can be converted into energy and even small amounts of water, helping these large animals endure long walks in the desert without food or hydration.

If you've ever seen an ostrich bury its head when frightened, it was probably a cartoon. This widespread myth likely comes from the way these birds care for their nests. Ostriches dig shallow holes for their eggs, and they lower their heads to turn the eggs or check on their young, but they never bury their heads in the ground.

Head-scratching rulebooks

10 totally absurd sports rules that actually exist

Image: Nathan Shively

Sports are full of strange rules—some meant to prevent chaos, others just plain bizarre. From bans on fake beards to strict limits on chess players' bathroom breaks, these odd regulations often have surprising reasons behind them. Here are 10 of the weirdest sports rules that will leave you scratching your head.

Image: Capture @Moments

Believe it or not, Japan’s pro baseball league bans artificial beards. In an effort to maintain a clean, professional look, the Nippon Professional Baseball league prohibits players from wearing fake facial hair. Real beards are fine, but if it’s glued on, it’s against the rules.

Image: Paul Chambers

Left-handed play was banned in polo for safety reasons. Since 1974, all polo players must use their right hand to hold the mallet. This prevents unintended collisions, as left-handed riders swinging in the opposite direction could create dangerous situations on the field.

Image: JESHOOTS.COM

In professional chess, frequent bathroom breaks can get you disqualified. After several cheating scandals involving hidden communication devices, chess tournaments enforce strict restroom usage policies. If a player leaves too often, they risk forfeiting the match.

Image: John Fornander

In professional tennis, coaching during a match is strictly prohibited. In fact, even silent signals can lead to penalties. In 2018, Serena Williams was penalized after her coach made a hand gesture, even though she claimed she didn’t see it.

Image: Courtney Cook

A golfer who accidentally signs an incorrect scorecard can be disqualified. Even if it’s an honest mistake, the penalty is harsh. This has happened to multiple players in major tournaments, making it one of golf’s most unforgiving rules.

Image: Nemesia Production

Some boxers tried spitting out their mouthguards to sneak in extra rest while the referee retrieved them. But this trick is against the rules—officials can now penalize fighters or even stop the match to prevent it.

Image: Markus Spiske

Turns out your strict P.E. teacher was just enforcing NBA rules. The NBA prohibits players from hanging on the rim unless it's to avoid injury. Excessive hanging results in a technical foul, preventing unnecessary delays and taunting. Dunking is fine—just don’t show off!

Image: Alfred Kenneally

If a cricket fielder catches a ball using their hat or any other part of their uniform, it doesn’t count. You must use your hands, no exceptions. The rule ensures players rely on skill, not creative use of clothing.

Image: MARCUS CLARK

Since 2002, no sneaky low tosses are allowed in table tennis. This rule ensures a fair serve by making the ball visible to the opponent. If a player fails to toss the ball high enough, the serve is ruled illegal.

Image: Alessio Roversi

It’s a rule for safety reasons. The sheer size of top athletes in this sport has been linked to car accidents, as they are often too large for modern vehicles. This has led the Japan Sumo Association to ban them from driving, requiring professional wrestlers to use chauffeurs or public transport instead.