› added 4 years ago

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TIL: Around 120 million years ago there still existed snakes which had not yet fully lost their limbs as all modern snakes have. The species is known as Tetrapodophis and had 4 tiny limbs on its otherwise snake-like body.

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J0j8 TIL in 1621 the Dutch hired Japanese mercenaries to murder 40 inhabitants of Bandaneira Island, a lucrative source of nutmeg. Of the 12,000-15,000 residents all but 1,000 were killed or forced to leave the island as the Dutch created a nutmeg monopoly.
9YJy6 TIL that the Sperm Whale have the largest brain of any creature known to have lived on Earth
rRgky TIL: Kangaroos, known for their 2 footed hopping motion, also use Pentapedal, 5 footed, motion when grazing. the 5th foot being the tail.
jNJ8N TIL in 2001, The South African version of "Sesame Street" introduced Kami, the first HIV-positive Muppet to address the stigma behind HIV/AIDS and help parents better understand the illness.
OGNLY TIL that ladybirds (ladybugs) can carry STD's. Ranging from fungi to sexually transmitted mites.