Animal facts

Did you believe it too? 10 animal “facts” that turned out to be myths

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.

Deathbed statements

Beyond the grave: Take a look at the last words of 12 famous people

Image: Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Throughout history, hundreds of historical figures have left their mark on the world through their marvelous achievements. When their lives came to an end, their last words were often a reflection of their lives and ideals. From George Washington and Mark Twain to Frank Sinatra and Leonardo Da Vinci, in this article, we will reveal 12 final words of memorable personalities.

Image: The New York Public Library

After serving two terms as the United State's first president, George Washington retired to his Virginia plantation. In mid-December 1799, he developed a cold and a severe sore throat. Despite doctors' efforts to cure him, the end was imminent.

His long-time secretary, Tobias Lear, was at his side during his last days and documented all the events that transpired, including the former president's last words. According to his account, shortly before he took his last breath George Washington said "Tis well" —an old-fashioned way of saying "everything is okay."

Image: Signal Corps Archive from United States, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Noir icon of perpetual elegance and rebellious charisma, Humphrey Bogart is an undisputed legend in cinema history. A Hollywood Golden Age star, Bogart is still remembered today for his scar on his upper lip, his everlasting cigarette, and his perfect portrayal of gangsters and detectives.

At the age of 57 Bogart was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, for which he was hospitalized for several months. According to lore, the legendary star's last words were "I should never have switched from scotch to martinis." However, his wife Lauren Bacall confirmed that the last thing he actually said was "Goodbye Kid. Hurry back," before she left his bedside to get their children.

Image: Miscellaneous Items in High Demand, PPOC, Library of Congress, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

As one of the greatest American writers of all time, Mark Twain is usually credited with all sorts of great quotes that he often didn't say. For that reason, there are different versions of what his last words were before he died in 1910 at the age of 74.

The most plausible theory can be found in an article published one day after his death. According to this chronicle, Samuel Langhorne Clemens' last words were not spoken aloud but written. The famous humorist and essayist reportedly wrote to his daughter Clara, who accompanied him on his bedside, "Give me my glasses."

Image: MGM, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Joan Crawford, the Oscar winner for Mildred Pierce and one of the greatest stars of Hollywood's golden age, died in 1977 of a heart attack.

The actress, who had a complicated personality, was true to her nature until her last breath. She was so ill that her doctor felt it wasn’t worth taking her to the hospital. One of her nurses began to pray aloud in desperation. Losing her patience, Crawford snapped for the last time and said, "Damn it... Don't you dare ask God to help me."

Image: Municipal Library of Trento, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The year 2024 marked the 700th anniversary of the death of the man who better described remote lands. Marco Polo was a merchant who spent more than 20 years of his life traveling through the Orient and wrote about his adventures in a book that became a bestseller when the printing press wasn’t even invented.

Marco Polo was, and still is, a legend. When, on his deathbed, his wife and friends begged the brave explorer to confess if what he had told in the book was true, he barely whispered: "I have not told the half of what I saw and did."

Image: MGM, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Julius Henry Marx, better known as Groucho Marx, is considered one of the most influential comedians of all time. The man with the bushy black mustache was one of the Marx Brothers. Together they made 13 films, including the classic Duck Soup. After a long and prominent career, Groucho passed away in Los Angeles in 1977 at the age of 86.

His brilliant one-liners are still remembered and replayed to this day, so it is not surprising that not one but several final words are attributed to him. A few close friends have suggested that his last line was "This is no way to live!", while most suggest that his last words were in fact dedicated to his wife: "Die, my dear? Why, that's the last thing I'll do!"

Image: Nicolas de Largillière, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Voltaire, the French writer, philosopher, historian, and lawyer, one of the major figures of the Enlightenment, died in 1778 at the age of 83. Different accounts of his deathbed make it impossible to determine exactly what his last days were like.

One of these stories, however, is consistent with his ideas about God and his well-known criticism of the Church. According to this version, when the priest asked him if he wanted to renounce Satan before he died, Voltaire replied, "This is no time to make new enemies."

Image: William Wallace Denslow, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

L. Frank Baum was a prolific American author. He wrote 55 novels, 82 short stories, and more than 200 poems. However, his most memorable work is his series of children's fantasy books The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

On May 5, 1919, Baum suffered a heart attack. He died the next day, shortly before his 63rd birthday. Disturbed by the imminence of death, he whispered to his wife: "Now we can cross the Shifting Sands," a clear reference to the Land of Oz.

Image: National Archaeological Museum of Athens, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Augustus, the first Roman emperor, is often attributed with the phrase: "Behold, I found Rome of clay, and leave her to you of marble," alluding to the great infrastructural works carried out during his prosperous 40 years of rule.

However, according to other historical accounts, his last words were addressed to the friends who stayed with him on his deathbed: "Have I played the part well? Then applaud, as I exit."

Image: English: Distributed by NBC. Photographer unknown., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

"Darling, you've gone through worse and you can beat this too. You have to fight," implored Barbara Marx, Frank Sinatra's fourth wife, to her beloved on his deathbed. "I'm losing," The Voice whispered through teary eyes.

Barbara recounted the last hours of the singer of such hits as My Way and New York, New York in her memoir Lady Blue Eyes: My Life With Frank. Frank Sinatra, one of the most popular entertainers of the mid-20th century, pronounced his last words in 1998 at the age of 82.

Image: Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Despite being one of the most famous artists of the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci was very hard on himself. All his life he challenged his own limits, evident in his paintings and sculptures as well as in his inventions, some of which were truly revolutionary.

Even after a lifetime of success, he wasn’t quite satisfied. When he suffered a stroke at the age of 67, he sent for a priest to receive the Holy Sacrament and, according to historians, his greatest regret was that he hadn’t achieved excellence with his work. In that sense, it is said that his last words were: "I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have."

Image: National Museum of Health and Medicine, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Yankee Clipper was one of the greatest baseball players of all time but he is also known for having been married to the iconic American actress Marilyn Monroe. Joe and Marilyn were together for less than three years. In 1955 the actress left him for American playwright Arthur Miller.

DiMaggio was devastated. He never married again, and never got over his one true love. His last words before he died in 1999 at the age of 84 were: "I'll finally get to see Marilyn."