From Owls to Frogs: Amazing Nature Facts

Did you know how owls see so well at night?
Birds of prey that are active at night like owls, eagle owls, and barn owls have amazing eyesight. Their ears are tilted at special angles so they can hear sounds from different directions. With sharp senses and smart hunting skills, they’re perfectly designed by Hashem to work in the dark.

Did you know what the biggest aircraft in the world is?
It’s called the Antonov An-225. This huge cargo plane is the longest, heaviest, and strongest plane ever made. Built in the 1980s, it was designed to carry the Soviet space shuttle. Its name, MARIYA, means "dream" in Ukrainian.

Did you know there’s a desert in Antarctica?
Yes! It’s called the McMurdo Dry Valleys. Even though it’s in Antarctica, this area has almost no ice or snow. The mountains around it block the clouds, keeping the land dry and frozen like a polar desert.

Did you know what a lasso is?
A lasso is a strong rope with a loop at the end. Cowboys once used it to catch runaway horses or cattle. When thrown around an animal’s neck, the loop tightens as it’s pulled. It was a handy tool in the Wild West.

Did you know what desert truffles “long” for?
Desert truffles grow underground in the desert, mostly in places like Iraq. People say they “yearn” for the sunlight since they stay hidden beneath the sand until ready to be found. These rare mushrooms are considered a real delicacy.

Did you know which nut gives off radiation?
Believe it or not, Brazil nuts naturally give off small amounts of radiation, about 0.25 becquerels per gram. That’s much more than most other foods, but it’s still far less than what we’re exposed to from other everyday sources.

Did you know which frogs are the most dangerous?
Most frogs are harmless, but some species like the Dendrobatidae in South America are extremely poisonous. Native people there use the frogs’ poison to coat their arrows, making them deadly hunting tools.