Useless Facts Of The Year - Part Three

Once again here we are with the third of the four parts recapping all of the facts that were shared this year. Enjoy!

-- Did you know?

Studies have found that women have more taste buds than men and therefore are better tasters.

-- The Hyrax is an animal with such a vast ancestry and characteristics that it has its own order. Also known as the rock rabbit or dassie,  its closest living relative is the elephant. It is said that the hyrax, elephants, and sea cows shared a common ancestor centuries ago. 

For more on this interesting animal please check out: Britannica Online


-- Did you know that the word marmoset is derived from a French word meaning "a grotesque image or mannequin"? 

Pygmy marmosets are the world's smallest true monkeys. The smallest primate is the pygmy mouse lemur. Adult pygmy marmosets tend to grow to about 5 inches tall and have a tail as long as 8 inches. 

-- The average American will eat about 160 bowls of cereal per year? That's an average of  11.9 lbs annually.

-- Did you know that the brain operates on the same amount of power as a 10-Watt light bulb? Also, the brain uses only 20% of the oxygen that enters the bloodstream. 

-- Even though spotted hyenas look like dogs, they are related to cats?  Their most close relation is actually the mongoose and the civet. 

-- Sea lions can swim in speed bursts of up to 25mph? They generally tend to cruise at 11 mph. 

-- It is believed by some scientists that the "domestic" cat as a pet began about 12,000 years ago. In 1983, archaeologists, found a jawbone of a cat that dated as far back as 8,000 years ago on a dig in Cyprus. 


Part Four of the Series will be next Monday.  Happy Holidays!