Introduction:
Life on Earth is often times strange and bizarre. Every day something seemingly impossible happens and researchers and scientists give explanations for it. There are a variety of weird facts about life that you probably didn’t know about. We will talk about 15 such facts that are sure to fascinate you.
Fact 1: The human nose can remember 50,000 different scents
The average human can recognize and differentiate more than 50,000 unique smells. This fact is attributed to the olfactory receptors present in the nose, which can receive different levels of scent and transmit it to the brain. Tests conducted on adults indicated that participants could accurately differentiate between scents that were perceived slight variations of the same smell.
Fact 2:Crocodiles shed tears when eating
Crocodiles may appear cold and expressionless on the outside but they too show emotion while they eat. Scientists believe that crocodiles produce tears when eating and this can very well be a form of relief. Researchers have also noticed that crocodiles are extremely vocal during meal times and can produce various low pitched noises.
Fact 3: Humans shed around 600,000 particles of skin every hour
The human body is constantly shedding and replacing skin cells. Apart from being replaced every 27 days, humans shed around 600,000 particles of skin every hour. Most of these cells are so small and light that they can easily get suspended in the atmosphere.
Fact 4: The average person loses around 200 strands of hair everyday
The average person loses around 200 strands of hair each day naturally. This is a natural process and it is nothing to worry about as the hair follicles regenerate. Research suggests that women tend to lose more hair than men due to the decrease in estrogen levels due to aging.
Fact 5: Your taste buds regenerate every 2 weeks
The taste buds on the tongue are replaced every two weeks. The old taste buds shed off and new ones grow in their place. This is why some of the foods that you did not find appetizing earlier might start to taste better when you eat them after some time.
Fact 6: Some viruses can survive even in outer space
Recent studies have revealed that certain viruses, such as the Enterovirus, can survive in the extreme conditions of outer space. The microscopic organisms are able to survive in the vacuum and extreme temperatures of space without any food or water.
Fact 7: Hippos sweat blood
This may sound very strange, but did you know that some species of hippos can secrete a red substance from their skin? The red substance is actually a mixture of blood and mucous which has antiseptic properties. This helps them to protect themselves from parasites and infection.
Fact 8: Some animals never sleep
Certain animals in the world, such as whales and dolphins, never sleep. They are known to stay awake for days at a stretch and can even swim during this time. Researchers believe that these animals don’t experience the same kind of fatigue that human beings experience due to lack of sleep.
Fact 9: Giraffes can last longer without water than camels
Giraffes may look fragile and delicate but they are extremely resilient animals. They can go without water for days and the only source of fluid for them is moist leaves or dew. Interestingly, they can last even longer without water than camels, because they consume most of their fluids from the leaves they eat!
Fact 10: Ants never sleep
Just like whales and dolphins, ants never sleep because they don’t experience fatigue like humans. Some ants can stay awake for weeks together without any rest. This makes them one of the most hardworking creatures and they never stop looking for food.
Fact 11: Mosquitoes have been on Earth for more than 100 million years
Mosquitoes are some of the oldest creatures on the planet and have been in existence for more than 100 million years. Even though they are small and insignificant looking, they have survived the test of time and still continue to be one of the most annoying creatures out there.
Fact 12: Blood vessels cover a total of 60,000 miles in the human body
The intricate network of blood vessels in a human body is quite a marvel and it covers a total of 60,000 miles, that’s equivalent to a trip around the world! The network is composed of arteries, veins and capillaries which transport oxygen, nutrients and other vital materials throughout the body.
Fact 13: There are around 7 Octillion atoms in the human body
Atoms are the building blocks of matter and they consist of protons, neutrons and electrons. The human body is actually built up of a staggering 7 octillion atoms and these atoms are constantly shuffling around to perform an immense variety of functions.
Fact 14: The heart beats around 115,000 times a day
The heart is probably one of the most important organs in the body and it pumps around 5 quarts of the blood continuously. An average adult heart beats around 115,000 times a day and is capable of pumping around 2,000 gallons of blood in a day.
Fact 15: Humans shed their entire outer layer of skin every 2-4 weeks
The outermost layer of skin is known as the stratum corneum and it is composed of dead skin cells which are constantly shed as new cells grow below them. Throughout our lives, we shed our entire outermost layer of skin every 2-4 weeks. So, in effect, we live in a new skin every two weeks!
Conclusion
We hope these weird facts about life have filled you with fascination and wonder. Life is an unpredictable journey and who knows what strange surprise awaits us in the future. Until then, take some time to appreciate the uniqueness of the life on Earth and all the marvelous facts about it.
