PECULIAR WAYS OF THE WORLD AROUND YOU

LIONS AREN'T KINGS OF THE JUNGLE

Though the lion is often referred to as “king of the jungle”, most

lions don’t even live in or anywhere near a jungle! Lions prowl

wide-open plain lands except a dwindling group of lions

in Indian jungles.

VAN GOGH MAY NOT HAVE CUT HIS OWN EAR OFF

Most people believe Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh cut off his

own earlobe in a fit of lunacy, but recent findings reveal that his

lover, French artist Paul Gauguin, may have cut it off after a

fight between the two. In a strange (and true) part of the story,

Van Gogh wrapped his bleeding ear and walked into the city

where he handed his severed earlobe to a prostitute.

Naturally, she fainted.

JESUS'S BIRTHDAY WASN'T CHRISTMAS DAY

Jesus Christ wasn’t actually born on Christmas. Most scholars and

theologians believe Jesus was more likely born in early fall

(probably September). Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has even

said the year for Jesus’s birth is likely incorrect due to

inaccuracies in the calendar created by sixth century monk

Dionysius Exiguus.

WE HAVE MORE THAN FIVE SENSES

The popular notion that we only have five senses dates back to

Aristotle when he defined the five as taste, touch, smell, sight

and hearing. Scientists today have identified anywhere up to 20

senses, including thermoception (temperature) and

equilibrioception (balance), and proprioception (awareness of

where our body parts are located in space).

AN OCTOPUS IS NOT AN EIGHT-LEGGED CREATURE

An octopus doesn’t actually have eight legs. The ink-spurting

creatures only have two legs (on the back of their bodies) but

six arms in the front which they use to pull food in and explore

their surroundings.

NAPOLEON WASN'T A SHRIMP

Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France, was not so short as is

commonly thought (and as the Napoleon complex, named after him,

would lead us to believe). Napoleon was likely 5ft 6 in (1.68m) tall,

making him an average height for his time. His nickname,

Le Petit Corporal, was likely a term of endearment rather than a

height judgment.

MOST CHAMELEONS CAN'T CAMOUFLAGE THEMSELVES

Though chameleons are regularly known as masters of colour-change

and camouflage, this is another way the world is different from what

we think. Most species of chameleon can’t actually change their skin

colour to blend in with their surroundings. Chameleons can, however,

change colour based on their emotions such as anger or

when attempting to court a mate.

DRINKING ALCOHOL ACTUALLY MAKES US COLDER

According to the Mythbusters, drinking alcohol doesn’t make us

warmer – it can actually kill us. Alcohol dilates (expands) our

blood vessels, bringing warm blood nearer to our skin’s surface

which then cools quicker, lowering our overall body temperature.

If you’re stuck in an Alpine avalanche, don’t count on a

St. Bernard dog’s barrel full of brandy to save you.