› added 7 years ago

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TIL that Nazi scientists tried to reverse-engineer extinct animals through selective breeding, such as the Aurochs and Wisent, as part of their effort to “restore” a primeval Germany.

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4DJo TIL Bowhead whales may be the world’s longest lived mammal. In 2007, a 15m (49ft) specimen was discovered with the head of a harpoon embedded in its neck. The 3.5-inch (89 mm) projectile was manufactured in New Bedford, Massachusetts around 1890, suggesting the animal survived a hunt a century ago.
788ap TIL Pinecones are a type of fruit
nmJP TIL Food Network’s Alton Brown began his career in cinematography and film production. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he was the cinematographer for several music videos, including “The One I Love” by R.E.M.
wL5rM TIL Great white sharks DO NOT mistake human divers for pinnipeds (seals and sea lions). Attacks on people occur because they are sharp sighted, curious animals, prone to taking "taste tests" of unfamiliar objects that catch their eye.
e0n6E TIL: It’s doubtful that dinosaurs would be able to survive today. During the Cretaceous Period 145-66 million years ago the average global temperature was 4ºC higher than today, with little difference between the temperature of the equator and the poles