› added 4 years ago

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TIL that Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are able to fly across the Golf of Mexico, a distance of 500 miles, in one 20-hour non-stop flight. This requires more calories than the bird's weight, so they prepare by doubling their fat mass. They expend the entire caloric reserve during the flight.

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58Dp TIL Fairmont hotel chain has resident dogs known as Canine Ambassadors, who greet guests in the lobby, accompany them on walks and to make them feel at home.
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.
4Zg6 TIL people’s teeth used to randomly explode in the 1800s due to bad fillings. Before the advent of mercury amalgam, a wide variety of metals were used to fill cavities. Using two different metals could create an electrochemical cell – effectively turning the whole mouth into a low-volt battery
LOBr TIL Aphids are born pregnant.
e6Y5 TIL Rick Moranis is trying to get back into the public spotlight.