› added 2 years ago

230

TIL while there are popular theories, no one really knows why earthworms come out of the ground when it rains. Originally thought that they rise because they can drown, this has been debunked as earthworms can survive in water for over 2 weeks. The #1 theory now is that they ascend to mate and feed.

Read more factanimal.com

via reddit.com

j6YEn TIL about Tangier Island, Virginia, where people speak a distinct dialect of Southern American English, rely on golf carts for transportation, and the economy dependent on local fishing.
epMvJ TIL 92% of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have skull malformations that squish part of their brain into their spinal column.
wLX46 TIL: The IRS uses two 58 year old computer systems for its Individual and Business Master Files, and they are written in assembly code, with data stored on tapes. The Individual Master File is the source where taxpayer accounts are updated, taxes are assessed, and refunds are generated.
Y71QZ TIL, To reduce cleaning costs, Amsterdam Airport printed pictures of flies inside urinals, thinking men would aim at the flies while using the bathroom, reducing the amount of urine landing outside the urinals. Their plan worked.
yG4p TIL that a young Richard Branson had his flight to the Virgin Islands cancelled, so he chartered a private airplane. Not having enough money to do so, he picked up a small blackboard, wrote “Virgin Airlines $29” on it, sold tickets for the rest of the seats, and used that money to pay for the ride.