The Euphausiacea order include crustaceans like the krill, which resemble shrimp. They are an essential link in the food chain, acting as a bridge between phytoplankton at the bottom and animals at the top (animals like the blue whale).

Charles Dickens was a bit of an outcast. Growing up in London during the nineteenth century exposed him to such grim realities as working-class life expectancy being twenty-two years old, half a million Londoners suffering and dying from typhus due to a lack of sanitation, 220 crimes being punishable by death, and nearly half of all funerals in London being held for children under the age of ten, the majority of whom had full-time jobs as labourers in 1839, when Dickens was 27.

If your bathroom mirrors are constantly fogged up after a hot shower, rub a cucumber slice along the mirror. It will remove the mist and leave you with a relaxing, spa-like fragrance. If you've written something in pen and made a mistake, the cucumber's outer waxy coating can be used to erase pen writing! Cucumbers are 96% water, if you didn't know.

Stingrays bury their bodies in the sand when they sleep, leaving their protective barb protruding to keep themselves safe. It is advised that beachgoers perform the "stingray shuffle" in order to cause vibrations in the sand and alert stingrays to their presence because this can be problematic in areas where humans join the ocean.

Humans have been trying to get insight into their lives based on the stars for thousands of years. According to an article on Babylonian horoscopes published in the Journal of Cuneiform Studies, the oldest horoscope that has been discovered was on Apr. 29, 410, B.C. and was written in cuneiform.

This fun fact about the Netherlands may entice beer-lovers to visit – they have the largest pub in all of Europe. 

The Drie Gezusters (Three Sisters) pub in Groningen holds the title of the biggest pub on the continent and is a national heritage site. We hope it’s also got the most bathrooms of all the pubs in Europe!

 

During the four days of the Chhath puja, the body's functioning is enhanced, and a shift occurs in the entire bodily system. The Puja celebration also aids in the development of strong intuition and telepathy.

Colors can have an effect on your physical well-being in addition to your emotional state. According to studies, an intense red colour can actually increase your heart rate and blood pressure, whereas blue is calming and can actually reduce these reactions.

Sachin Tendulkar was the first international batsman to be dismissed by a third umpire. Tendulkar was caught short of the crease by a Jonty Rhodes toss on the second day of the 1992 Durban Test. He was ruled out after watching TV replays. South African Karl Liebenberg served as the game's third umpire.

The word "sea" refers to the lamprey's native home, the Atlantic Ocean. The word "lamprey" is derived from the Latin words lambere and petra, which mean "to lick" and "stone," respectively. This term relates to the typical mouth of the sea lamprey.

You might not be able to identify a current Swedish musician or band off the top of your head. However, there is no question that you have heard Swedish music. For years, Swedish-produced or Swedish-written songs (including big British and American singles) have dominated the charts. You've probably heard of ABBA. Since winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974, this band has opened the way for other Swedish talents. This includes musicians such as Roxette, Robyn, Lykke Li, Avicii, and others who have achieved international acclaim. If you like ABBA, you should go to the ABBA Museum in Stockholm.

The most dramatic stock market meltdown in US history happened on Black Tuesday, October 24th, 1929. It is often assumed that the financial crisis resulted in innumerable suicides, however this was not the case. There were two of them.

A great many people experience early admonition indications of a looming assault. Feelings, for example, peculiar food desires, state of mind swings, and wild yawning can happen as long as 24 hours ahead. Quickly ahead of time, one out of five headache victims will have tactile side effects known as "quality." These incorporate blazing lights, vulnerable sides, deadness, or the sensation of being snatched.

This one from Amazing Facts About Hindi is one that practically everyone is familiar with. Simply put, Hindi is the simplest and most evolved form of Sanskrit.

The distance to the moon is measured using a mirror and laser formation on the moon, as well as a telescope on Earth. Because of the moon's elliptical orbit around the Earth, this distance varies, making it critical that such a facility exists.

After Perseus returned to Seriphos, his mission was complete. There was no reason for him to carry Medusa’s head any longer. Besides, Athena was now interested in it. The goddess of wisdom took the head of her sworn enemy and placed it either on her Aegis (shield) or armor. This way she appropriated Medusa’s powers and proclaimed her triumph.

Athena, a goddess of civilization and an idealized role model for the virtuous woman within the patriarchal Greek society, had finally exterminated the threat of the dangerous Medusa, a symbol of the power of the natural and the feminine.

If you already knew everything about butterflies up to this point, this information may come as a surprise. However, from the perspective of the butterfly, it isn't all that unusual. A butterfly's everyday duties include eating and mating, both of which necessitate landing, even if only temporarily. When food is a priority, those taste receptors assist the butterfly in locating the appropriate plants and vital nutrients for survival. Many people wonder what it means when a butterfly lands on them, but the truth is that it is most likely just hungry.

Since nails are not naturally alive, they do not require breathing. However, it's advised to give your nail paint breaks in order to prevent some of the negative side effects of leaving acrylics or nail polish on for an extended period of time.

Queen Victoria ruled for 63 years, and up until September 2015, was the longest reigning British monarch. The current monarch, Queen Elizabeth II—celebrating her Platinum Jubilee of 70 years on the throne—now holds the title.

The Komodo Dragon is the world's largest lizard, and this 3 metre long, aggressive, scaly beast can only be found on five Indonesian islands: Padar, Gili Motang, Flores, Rinca, and, of course, Komodo. With their deadly bites, massive height, and carnivorous habits, these animals are extremely fearsome. They hunt and kill animals much larger than themselves, even humans.

India is a land of customs and traditions and houses so many spectacular temples too. In the state of Rajasthan, India, there is even a temple of the rats. Pilgrims visit this temple to offer their prayers to the thousands of rats residing there. It is a belief that these rats are the ancestors. Crazy but still a belief.

Bali is located in the 'Amazon of the Seas,' well dubbed for its remarkable marine biodiversity, right in the center of the world's richest waters for corals and sealife.

Did you know that Russia has the world's longest railway? The Trans-Siberian Railway runs 5,772 kilometres from Moscow to Vladivostock. The Trans-Siberian Railway makes it simple to travel throughout Russia by rail at your own pace. Depending on your budget and desired experience, you can ride in a first-class cabin or third-class seats. If you want to travel China or Mongolia, the Trans-Siberian Railway links to those nations as well.

Kabaddi may now be a foreign sport to the Olympic stage, but many don't realize that it first acquired international exposure when India showcased the sport during the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, leaving Adolf Hitler and Olympic Committee members in amazement with their kabaddi manoeuvres.

No, a termite's diet does not only consist of wood! In fact, it has been observed that termites eat wallpaper, fabric, and even plastic. Although these omnivorous insects prefer the taste of wood, they will eat just about anything made from plants. They are infamous destroyers because of their insatiable appetites, which cause them to spend most of the day eating away at structures!