Fun facts

The Coriolis effect is a physical phenomenon that occurs when an object moves in a rotating reference frame. The Earth is probably the most prime example of such a rotating system. Although it may seem complicated, we can understand the Coriolis effect in a simple way. Imagine that you are on a merry-go-round...

Monkshood or Wolf's Bane, scientifically known as Aconitum, is a plant that captivates with its alluring beauty, but lurking beneath its enchanting exterior lies a potent danger. This plant stands out as one of the most dangerous in Europe due to its highly toxic nature. Monkshood contains a range of alkaloids,...

Salamanders and geckos are both small vertebrates which look quite similar at a distance. Both have a very similar body conformation, insectivorous diet and nocturnal habits. Although they look similar, they are actually very different. Even if they may both look like lizards, only one falls into this category...

Owls and barn owls are probably the best known nocturnal birds of prey in any corner of the planet. Although they share many similarities and sometimes even the same habitats, these birds of prey have many differences from each other. Would you know how to differentiate an owl from an owl with the naked...

The differences between false killer whales and orcas are not only taxonomic, but also physical and behavioral. Orcas are also known as killer whales, a name indicative of their incredible skill as hunters. While false killer whales are their own animal, their similarity in appearance has led many to confuse...

Embark on a fascinating exploration into the world of the volcano snail (Chrysomallon squamiferum), also known as the scaly-foot gastropod. This extraordinary sea snail thrives in diverse underwater volcanic regions. With its unique adaptations and resilient nature, this captivating creature has captured...

The difference between the swift, swallow and house martin is not only due to taxonomy. We can identify the differences between swifts, swallows and martins by their plumage and behavior. The tails, wings and coloration of these birds are similar enough that they can become confused with each other. It is...

Fungi and mushrooms are often used interchangeably, leading many to confuse the two. Such confusion is understandable since the terminology is similar. One common misconception is to do with edibility. Many people call the product that we eat a mushroom and the type we see in the wild a fungus. While...

Uranus is the seventh planet in the solar system and it has 27 moons. When we compare this to Earth's paltry one moon, it may seem like a lot. However, this doesn't mean Uranus is the planet with the most moons. This honor belongs to Saturn which has at least 124 traditional moons. Moons are natural satellites...

Although we may associate rings most with the planet Saturn, Neptune has five rings called Galle, Le Verrier, Lassell, Arago and Adams. Characterized by its intense blue color and its winds that are stronger than hurricanes, Neptune is the planet in our solar system furthest from the Sun. Study of this planet...

The animal with the biggest brain in the animal kingdom is the sperm whale. The brain is the largest organ of the central nervous system. It is used to control the rest of the body's organs, sending and receiving signals through said nervous system. Not all living animals have brains, with the exceptions...

Although dogs and cats are known for a notoriously antagonistic relationship, not as much has been reported on the relationship between foxes and cats. Like dogs, foxes are canids which are notable for their bushy tail, pointed ears and elongated muzzle. They are also known for their mischievous behaviors...

The intricate relationship between plants and animals has fascinated scientists for centuries. Despite the fact that animals possess a diverse range of senses and mechanisms that detect danger, such as predators, whether plants are capable of similar awareness has remained open. Do plants experience pain?...

Whale vomit, also known as ambergris, has been a mysterious and highly sought-after substance for centuries. Found in the digestive systems of sperm whales, ambergris is a waxy, greyish material that has a unique scent and fixative properties that make it a prized ingredient in the perfume industry....

Stromatolites are rock-like formations that serve as evidence of the oldest life forms on Earth, dating back over 3.5 billion years. They are created through a complex process in aquatic environments and are composed of layers of bacterial colonies. Stromatolites also represent the first evidence of photosynthesis,...

With the arrival of summer and good weather, we often speak about a rise in heat and temperature. It is commonly referred to as the same thing, but there is a key difference. Understanding this difference is a good way to understand weather, climate and thermodynamics in general. At thedailyECO, we ask...

The differences between rabbits and hares are present in both their physical appearance and behaviors, despite their many similarities. Such similarities are understandable given the fact they are very closely related in the family Leporidae, but sufficiently distinct to be part of different genera....

Throughout the history of human exploration, our fascination with celestial bodies has driven us to uncover the secrets of the cosmos. Mars, often referred to as the "Red Planet," has held a special place in our collective imagination. In addition to its reddish hue and its potential as a future human...

Climate and weather are often used interchangeably, but the differences between climate and weather are important. They both apply to a certain geographical area, but as concepts they help us to understand ecosystems differently. It is for this reason thedailyECO explains the differences between climate...

Ice is indeed a fascinating substance that has captured the imagination of scientists and laypeople for centuries. One of the properties that makes it so intriguing is its ability to float on water, which seems counterintuitive at first glance. After all, solids are typically denser than liquids, and...

The sky is an ever-changing canvas, and at times it can surprise us with breathtaking displays of light and color. One of these phenomena is the solar halo, also known as the sun halo. A solar halo appears as a luminous ring, circle, or arc around the sun, often displaying a range of colors. But what...

Dinosaurs have captivated scientists and enthusiasts for a considerable time, and one of the most intriguing aspects of their existence is their reproductive process. Although direct observation of dinosaur breeding is impossible, paleontologists have gleaned insights into their behavior from fossil studies....

The mesosphere, which lies between the stratosphere and the thermosphere, is an important layer of the Earth's atmosphere. Although the mesosphere is less talked about compared to other atmospheric layers, it plays a critical role in protecting life on Earth by shielding the planet from meteorites. In addition,...

Butterflies and moths are some of the most beautiful animals in the world, but we do not associate them with being venomous. They lack stingers, fangs or other appendages which would allow them to break the skin of a person or an animal. For this reason, it can seem strange that some of the most deadly insects...

Photosynthesis is a fundamental process that allows plants, algae, and some bacteria to convert sunlight, carbon dioxide and water into organic matter and oxygen. This process is vital to the survival of many organisms on our planet, as it forms the basis of the food chain, provides oxygen for animals to...

The llama and alpaca are two of the most iconic animals from South America. We see their representations in indigenous crafts, official tourism promotion and various other images associated with the Andean region. Whether looking at a representation or a live animal, it can be difficult to distinguish between...

It is not uncommon for people to confuse lava and magma, as both are molten rock materials often associated with volcanic activity. Also, since they have similar chemical compositions, people typically use the terms interchangeably. However, it is important to understand the differences between the two,...

Both the coyote and the wolf are mammals. More specifically, they are carnivorous animals found in the family Canidae. The members of this group are known as canids and they share various physical and behavioral similarities. They also have key differences which are used to tell species apart from each other....

Eagles are symbols of strength and courage, being so for good reason. As birds of prey, they feed on other animals and have become apex predators in their natural habitats. Not only do they have razor-sharp talons and piercing beaks, but their agility in the air means they can swoop down on prey with deadly...

Bees have a highly developed communication system that allows them to coordinate and execute complex social behaviors within their colonies. Communication is critical for bees because they must work together to gather food, care for young, and protect the colony from predators and environmental threats....

We may only think of humans and animals as having organs, but plants also need organs to carry out their various functions. For example, we know our skin has an epidermis, but you may not know that plants have the same organ. If we look closely at this epidermis, we may be able to see tiny pores. These...

Water is one of the most important substances for life on Earth and covers a large part of the planet's surface. Earth is often called the "blue planet" because of its abundance of water. Earth's total water supply is estimated to be about 1.4 billion cubic kilometers (332.5 million cubic miles). This includes...

Topography is the study of different land surfaces, specifically their forms and structures. Some of the most fascinating land surfaces belong to mountains, geological features which are elevated portions of the Earth's crust. Only such elevations which exceed 300 meters above their surrounding area are...

People are afraid of cockroaches for a variety of reasons, both rational and irrational. Firstly, cockroaches are associated with unclean and unsanitary environments. They are also carrier of diseases and bacteria and can even cause allergy in some people. However, cockroaches also play important ecological...

We may be aware there are 6 continents into which the Earth's land mass is divided. These are America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Oceania and Antarctica. Although this conformation of land appears to have always been this way, our planet has looked very different across the billions of years of its existence. Different...

Climate refers to the long-term weather patterns of a particular region or area. It is determined by a variety of factors, including latitude, elevation, topography, ocean currents, and atmospheric circulation. Climate plays an important role in shaping the natural environment, including the types of plants...

Have you ever noticed how, on a hot summer day at the beach, the air suddenly becomes cooler and fresher when a gentle breeze blows in from the sea? This refreshing breeze is called a sea breeze and is a fascinating meteorological phenomenon that occurs in many coastal regions of the world. Ocean breezes...

Hair ice refers to a rare natural phenomenon that occurs when thin threads of ice resembling hair grow from certain types of moist, decaying wood in freezing temperatures. Hair ices were not always fully understood, and their formation was a mystery for many years. Ice hairs were first observed and documented...

Volcanoes are the geological architects of the earth. They have created more than 80 percent of the surface of our planet, laying the foundation for life to thrive. A volcano is basically an opening or crack in the earth's crust connected to a magma chamber through which glowing materials in the form of...

Dolphins are known as much for their intelligence as they are their natural beauty. Although morphologically very different, dolphins share various traits and behaviors which are often more common in human beings than in animal behavior. These traits include the fact that dolphins are very sociable...

We take the color of various natural phenomena for granted. The sky is blue, the grass is green, etc. We know we can expect some variance in these colors. We don't think much of a gray sky on a rainy day, for example. When the difference is stark, it can seem like some sort of cataclysmic event. When...

The organism of every living species, no matter how large or small, is distinct from the rest and is designed to be supplied with what it needs to function in the necessary environment. One of the most curious cases in nature is that of earthworms. Earthworms are oligochaete annelids found in a total of...

While our planet is of endless fascination to us and we are yet to discover so much of how it functions, it is only one tiny part of an infinite universe. Thanks to an endless supply of curiosity and various technological advancements, we are also able to find out more about the universe beyond Earth's atmosphere....

Respiration is the process by which living things take in oxygen from the air or water and release carbon dioxide, and is essential for all life functions. There are different types of respiratory systems: Cutaneous respiration, gill respiration, tracheal respiration, and pulmonary respiration. In cutaneous...

An atmosphere is a complex gaseous layer which surrounds different planets and even some planetary satellites. The location and function of the atmosphere help to determine the nature of the planet it surrounds. Earth's atmosphere is special in that it allows life on the planet, something which has...

We may look at mountains and can only imagine they have been there forever. In actuality, all mountains had to be formed somehow. All of the structures on the earth's surface had to be developed to some degree and the process of mountain formation is no exception. The formation of mountains is associated...

Turtles are long-lived reptiles that are characterized by the presence of a strong shell. This carapace covers their body, allowing them to protect their organs from predators. The diet of turtles varies according to species, of which there are over three hundred. Some live on land, freshwater or even...

Although they tend to proliferate in warner climates, only the Antarctic and Iceland are known to be territories with no evidence of mosquitoes. This means most of us have likely encountered a mosquito at some point in our lives, even if only when traveling. If there are mosquitoes, there are usually mosquito...

If you are walking in nature and you come across a slippery animal croaking and hopping, you may find it difficult to know if you are witnessing a toad or a frog. Both are amphibians from the order Anura. They may have bulging eyes, strong hind legs and slimy skin, but they are also noted for their great...

Bees tend to be either lauded or feared. They not only provide delicious honey, their ability to pollinate various plants essentially means we are able to continue living on this planet. While the concept of bees may be widely supported, individual bees can make people run for cover. This is thanks...