A spider’s web is made of liquid secreted from its abdomen. It solidifies into fine threads after coming into contact with air. Some threads are sticky, others are soft. The sticky threads are meant for trapping prey. Funny Logics Much in the same way as Bill Gates creates his. By choosing a suitable website.
Read More »Why would you avoid a Portuguese man-of-war, while swimming in the sea?
The Portuguese man-of-war is a floating colony of hundreds of jellyfish-like creatures called polyps. Some of the polyps trail tentacles with stinging cells. If you touch a tentacle, you trigger one of these cells, which will then sting you with a poison.
Read More »Why were rabbits such a menace in Australia?
Rabbits became a menace in Australia because they breed so quickly and eat almost any vegetable. Three pairs of rabbits were introduced into Australia in the 18th Century. They multiplied so rapidly that, with the addition of others which were brought over, they spread over most of the continent and caused a tremendous amount of damage. The female rabbit, or …
Read More »Why was the New Amsterdam Colony established?
New Amsterdam was established by Dutch colonisers in 1624 in what is known today as New York city. The town of New Amsterdam became a city in 1653 when it received municipal rights and was reincorporated as New York city in June 1665. The town was founded on the southern tip of Manhattan island as the most optimal place for …
Read More »Why was King Alfred called the Great?
Well, he was not called ‘the Great’ because he was a tall man; he was not. Alfred became king of Wessex (a small British kingdom including what is now Hampshire, Somerset and Wiltshire) in AD 871, at a time when the Vikings ruled over large parts of England. The king was determined to defeat the pagans, under their king, Guthrum, …
Read More »Why is Wuhan called the ‘thoroughfare of the nine provinces’?
Wuhan is the capital of the Hubei province in the central part of China and is one of the largest and most populous cities of the region. It is also an important centre for trade, finance, industry, and information technology. Wuhan is also the place where the river Hans joins Changjiang, the third largest river of China. Three major railways …
Read More »Why is windmills common sight in the Netherlands?
Much of the land in Netherlands is below sea level. To prevent flooding, barriers called bykes have been built. The water is then pumped from the enclosed areas, which are known as polders. Windmills were once used to power the pump that drained the land.
Read More »Why is the Turtle Island called so?
The Turtle Island, located about 10 kms off the coast of Toucheng in Yilan County (Taiwan), has a volcanic terrain that, from certain angles, looks like a turtle floating in the sea. Hence, it is known as Turtle Island. Among the features of the island are high cliffs, steaming fumaroles (an opening in a volcano), welling underwater hot springs, mountain …
Read More »Why is the Spring Festival celebrated?
The ancient town of Hama in Syria is well known for its Spring Festival celebrated every year for two weeks in April. This festival had its origins in the 2nd millennium BC when it would be celebrated to offer prayers and sacrifices to Adonis, the god of fertility. However, the tradition disappeared gradually over the centuries and reappeared briefly in …
Read More »Why is the Pronghorn so called?
Often misleadingly called an antelope (antelopes come from Africa and Asia), the North America Pronghorn derives its popular name from the forward-pointing branch of its horns. The Pronghorn’s horns are extremely interesting. They are composed of two parts: a bony central cone which is permanent like those of the true antelopes, and a sheath of fused hairs supplying the horny …
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