From Talking Turtles to Tsunamis: Fascinating Things to Know

1. Did You Know One Country Tried to Use a Tsunami in War?
During World War II, the New Zealand army tried to come up with a way to fight using giant tsunami waves. In 1944, they tested underwater bombs hoping to create big waves that could sink enemy ships. The idea didn’t work well enough, so they gave it up.

2. Did You Know Some Turtles Have a Breathing Tube?
Softshell turtles live in the water but don’t have gills like fish. Instead, they have something like a built-in snorkel. This lets them stay hidden underwater while still being able to breathe.

3. Did You Know China Has 129 Languages?
In China, there are 129 different languages, which are mostly Chinese dialects. Some of these are so different that they’re as far apart as French and Russian! The most common language is Mandarin.

4. Did You Know Where the Word “OK” Comes From?
A professor named Allan Walker Read found that “OK” started as a funny way to say “All Correct” back in the 1800s. People liked making silly abbreviations then, and “OK” was one of them. Somehow, it stuck around!

5. Did You Know Why Pelicans Have Big Beaks?
Pelicans have a special pouch under their beak. It helps them catch and hold fish. On a good day, a pelican can carry about 5 kilograms of fish in that pouch!

6. Did You Know Why We Can’t See Colors in the Dark?
Our eyes use two kinds of sensors to see. One type works in bright light and helps us see colors. The other type works in the dark but doesn’t pick up color. That’s why everything looks gray or black at night.

7. Did You Know Why Skin Color Changes Based on Where People Live?
People who live in sunny places have more melanin in their skin, which protects them from sunburn and gives their skin a darker tone. In colder places with less sun, people tend to have lighter skin.