Hawaii is home to a population of feral Hawaii chickens crossbred from jungle fowl, domesticated chickens, and fighting cocks from Southeast Asia. The sleep paralysis demon has haunted us for millennia. More recently, science has overcome entrenched supernatural explanations for the devil of dreams. The Sea Spider absorbs oxygen in the ocean through the cuticle on its skin. With spindly legs, this eight-legged beauty breathes through its limbs. Everyone’s heard of Batman. How about a bat god? Camazotz was a Mayan deity associated with death and sacrifice whose name translates as “death bat.” Eels have confounded us for thousands of years and frustrated the finest minds. Despite the attention of Freud, Aristotle, and many others, the eel has remained an elusive specimen. Do you think of Earth as an advanced technological civilization? On the Kardashev Scale, planetary systems like Earth hardly register. Ever wondered about horsepower? It’s a game of averages. Let’s delve into the answer to how much horsepower does a horse have. The history of the condom has not always been associated with comfort. We’ve tried linen, tortoise-shell (yes really), and latex. What does the future hold? The Island of the Dead Dolls has a ghoulish history stretching back 50 years. Nowadays, tourists can visit and witness the nightmarish spectacle. Could it be the next Olympic sport? Probably not. But Extreme Ironing is a fun way to experience the outdoors and catch up on housework. The Pistol Shrimp has a petite body and large claws like a gunslinger in the Wild West. Its 210-decibel claw snapping sound is louder than a gunshot. Discover the Bolton Strid, a little-known, 65 mile stretch of the River Wharfe in Yorkshire, known as a treacherous death trap. A peculiar crooked forest in Western Poland is the subject of some colorful and outlandish conspiracy theories that try to explain its secret history. Polished obsidian, bronze, and copper were used as mirrors for thousands of years until Justus von Liebig invented the modern mirror in 1835. For centuries, Europeans participated in a celebratory Dance of The Dead. The Danse Macabre is believed to be the precursor to the celebration of Halloween. Fire rainbows are a rare and beautiful weather phenomenon that appear as rainbow-colored wisps of clouds in the sky. Consider yourself lucky if you see one. In 536 AD a volcanic eruption coated the Northern hemisphere with ash and produced a fog that plunged Europe into darkness. Mad honey gains its hallucinogenic properties from a substance called grayanotoxin found in certain rhododendron flowers. Overeating can be dangerous. Napoleon is widely believed to have been a bit short. Could propaganda or even a different system of measurement hold the key to uncovering his true height? Since its creation by John Duns Scotus in the 13 century, the Dunce Cap has represented the extremes of high intellectualism, evil, and stupidity. Popeye and spinach have fueled a great deal of nutritional nonsense. One thing is sure, spinach is good for you, but not as much as you first thought.
Why Did the Chicken Cross the Pacific?
The Worlds Oldest Demon: The Night-Mare of Sleep Paralysis
Giant Sea Spiders Breathe Through Their Legs!
Camazotz: Bat to the Bone, Arbiter of Justice or Pure Myth?
How do Eels Reproduce and Where on Earth do They Come From?
The Kardashev Scale: Sizing Up Planetary Power
How much horsepower does a horse have?
When Were Condoms Invented? A Revealing History
The Grim Tale of The Island of the Dead Dolls
Extreme Ironing: The Strangest Extreme Sport You’ve Never Seen
Can the Pistol Shrimp Hurt a Human?
Is the Bolton Strid the Most Deadly Stretch of Water in the World?
The Secret History of Poland’s Crooked Forest
When Were Mirrors Invented?
The Danse Macabre: The Waltz of The Dead
What are Fire Rainbows?
536 AD: The Worst Year Ever
Mad Honey and its Intoxicating Allure
Let’s Settle This: How Tall Was Napoleon?
The Extraordinary Evolution of the Dunce Cap
Ferric Fantasies: The Strange Saga of Popeye, Spinach and Strength
Alexandre Villaplane: A Tarnished Legacy in the History of French Football
Despite his footballing achievements, Alexandre Villaplane is best remembered for his traitorous behavior during World War II. This article tells the story of one of France’s most infamous athletes.
