Waxwings are beautiful birds known for their bright plumage and playful personalities. However, they are also known for one unusual habit: they love to eat fermented fruit, which can make them drunk. Fermented fruit is fruit that has begun to decompose. This process produces alcohol, which is what makes the fruit intoxicating. Waxwings are particularly attracted to berries … [Read more...] about Waxwings: The Drunk Birds of the World
The Quietest Place in the World: Inside an Anechoic Chamber
The anechoic chamber at Orfield Laboratories in Minneapolis is the quietest place in the world, with a background noise reading of –9.4 decibels. This is so quiet that you can hear each grind, crunch, and squeak your skeleton makes. Very few people have been able to bear it for more than 45 minutes without experiencing discomfort, claustrophobia, nausea, and panic. This is … [Read more...] about The Quietest Place in the World: Inside an Anechoic Chamber
The expressive design of the 1946 edition of Gibbon’s The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
The expressive design of the 1946 edition of Gibbon's The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire is a work of art in and of itself. The book's cover, spine, and interior illustrations were all created by the renowned artist Clarence P. Hornung, who was known for his dramatic and evocative designs. The cover of the book features a depiction of the Roman Empire at its height, … [Read more...] about The expressive design of the 1946 edition of Gibbon’s The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
Old Gentleman Makes Pram for Paralyzed Dog
An old gentleman has made a pram for his paralyzed dog so that he can still take him for walks. The gentleman, who has not been named, said that he wanted to make sure that his dog could still see the world and feel like he was part of it, even though he couldn't walk on his own. The pram is made from a wooden frame and has a padded seat for the dog to lie on. It also has a … [Read more...] about Old Gentleman Makes Pram for Paralyzed Dog
Animals Do Go to War: The Case of the Gombe Chimpanzee War
The assertion that animals don't go to war is false. There are many examples of animals engaging in violent conflict, both within and between species. One of the most well-documented examples is the Gombe Chimpanzee War, which took place between two communities of chimpanzees in Tanzania between 1974 and 1978. The war began when a group of males from the Kasakela community … [Read more...] about Animals Do Go to War: The Case of the Gombe Chimpanzee War