› added 4 years ago

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TIL that mosquitos can pause & resume their development lifecycle stages egg -> larva -> pupa -> adult. While each of these stages typically last 5 - 14 days, if conditions are unfavourable (heat, cold etc), they can delay the transition by even a year by going into diapause (dormant stage)

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x6yKo TIL the largest island in Denmark is Zealand but it's not related to New Zealand (which was named for Zeeland in the Netherlands).
vWdD TIL that when a sperm whale eats a giant squid and consumes its beak, its digestive tract secretes a substance called ambergris to ease its passing. Ambergris is extremely valuable (a 2.4lb lump sold for £11,000) and can be used to make perfumes and to flavor food.
m1V6M TIL : Willie O'Ree, the first black man to play in the NHL, was blind in one eye. It was caused by a ricocheting puck that hit him in the face when he was 18 and he kept it a secret for his entire 21-year career.
6El5w TIL Mary Kay Letourneau's father John G. Schmitz once ran for President of the United States, and was such an extreme right-winger, the ultra-conservative John Birch Society expelled him
awBLL TIL that drowning is often quick and silent. While drowning, the victim's mouth can only stay above the water for just enough time to breathe. The victim is not usually able to wave or yell for help. Because of this, most onlookers assume the event to be regular swimming.