› added 5 months ago

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TIL that there is a fungus that turns ants into 'zombies'! Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, also known as the 'zombie fungus', infects ants and controls their behavior, causing them to climb to high locations and bite onto a leaf before producing spores that can spread the fungus.

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nAP9 TIL Bats are not even remotely related to rodents, but are instead closer related to primates and lemurs
xoww TIL the “X” in “Xmas” isn’t a way to avoid mentioning Christ. “X” represents Chi (χ), the first Greek letter of Χριστός (“Christ”). “Christ” has been abbreviated “X” in English for centuries, as it was in Greek.
4Xayb TIL that the Philippines was under American rule. Spain ceded the Philippines to America for $20 million.
oBVRo TIL white button, cremini, and portobello mushrooms are not different varietals, but the same species at different maturity levels.
Jg7j TIL Bowhead Whales can live up to 200 years old, and a recently killed specimen still had a harpoon in its body, thought to be from 1890.