› added 5 years ago

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TIL that the Guanches, the native people of the Canary Islands, had, despite living on, obviously, islands, no knowledge of constructing boats or navigating them. This led to the development of seven different cultures on the seven Canary Islands.

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E1VO7 TIL that black rhinos are very close to extinction due to habitat loss and illegal poaching. Today, only about 5,500 black rhinos are alive in the wild.
9mYG TIL of David Kootook, a 14 year old Inuit boy who survived for 23 days in -40 degree weather after a plane crash in the Arctic. He refused offers by the pilot to eat the body of a fellow passenger and died of starvation 23 days later. Upon rescue, the pilot said “Welcome to the camp of a cannibal.”
rRy4 TIL In 1939, Hitler’s nephew wrote an article called “Why I Hate My Uncle.” He came to the U.S., served in the Navy, and settled on Long Island.
GY1P4 TIL Some male beetles’ sexual organs have barbs and spikes like medieval torture devices. The wounds given to the female during sex are an “unfortunate side effect” and does not benefit the reproductive process.
yVGjv TIL that sparkling water was invented by Joseph Priestly, who also discovered oxygen; he speculated that CO₂ might treat gastrointestinal infection (taken rectally) and even cancer