› added 7 years ago

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TIL that Fulmars, a type of seabird, vomit a putrid, fishy oil as a defense against predators or other disturbances. Not only does it smell horrific, but it’s lethal to predatory birds as it permanently glues their feathers together.

Read more tested.com

via reddit.com

7X1P TIL watermelons originated in Africa and were first cultivated solely for their water content; their flavor was very bitter.
NLgN TIL that dolphins likes to get high using Puffer Fish neurotoxins as recreative dope
w7gP TIL that in early feudal Japan there was a class of female Samurai called Onna-Bugeisha who commonly engaged in battle alongside the men and were trained in the use of weapons to protect their household, family, and honour in times of war.
v1mR8 TIL of Forrest Bird, the creator of some of the first reliable mass-produced mechanical ventilators. He sold his first units to the army, and they were made of strawberry shortcake tins and door knobs.
JpM1 TIL a 18C. astronomer went to India to see a Transit of Venus. Delayed, he missed it, but decided to stay for the next one, in 8 years. The second try was clouded out. 3 years later he returned to France to find he’d been declared dead, his wife had remarried, and his estate was gone