Often we believe that certain facts are true and we are passing this “knowledge” to our kids, friends and family. But, some of the most accepted truths turn out to be false. These are the myths we all believe are true – but in fact, they aren’t.
Chameleons and their color change
It is a popular belief that Chameleons change colors in order to blend in with their surroundings, but the reason for it is slightly more elusive. The primary reasons for their color changes are to regulate their temperature or communicate with other chameleons.
Goldfish have three second memory
We don’t know who came up with this, but it is proven that these lovely fish actually have quite good memory and that they can be taught to respond to different light, music, or other sensory cues.
Dogs sweat through their tongues
Although a popular opinion, dogs actually have sweat glands and they for sure are not located in their tongues, but in their paws. While they pant they are actually cooling themselves and are using the moist lining of their lungs as an evaporative surface.
Bats are not blind
These creatures of the night aren’t blind, even though the saying says differently. The truth is that they can’t see in color but, at night they certainly see better than we do. Of course, many species also use echolocation, but they definitely see where they are going, or flying.
The difference between the Sun and the Earth is the main reason for the season changes
This is not true. The main reason for the season change is caused by the 23.45 degree tilt of the earth’s axis. This means that different parts of the earth are oriented towards the Sun at different times of the year. Its all about direct sunlight.
Tomatoes
It doesn’t matter that we eat them in salads, combine them with vegetables and meat, but tomatoes, at the end of the day are fruits. The Supreme Court never ruled that tomatoes are vegetables in any botanical sense. In Nix vs. Hedden, the tomatoes are classified as vegetables for the purposes of taxation, so that under the Tarrif Act of 1883 they would be taxable, in the agricultural sense. They’re delicious so who cares.
Drinking 8 glasses of water a day
The more water you drink, the better, but your hydration depends on many factors such as the place where you live (dry or moist area, your thirst, the color of your urine, etc.) In most cases people can hardly manage to drink that much water. The best indicator that you are well hydrated is your urine – the lighter yellow the color, the better hydration. So no worries, drink when you are thirsty.
Sushi is raw fish
Although this may be true, it is not necessarily true. Raw fish is probably the most popular variety but there are several other types. Sushi is actually the “rice-vinegar” whereas sashimi is the raw fish. Usually sashimi is used as a topping but so is nori (dried seaweed) and various other vegetables.
Cracking your knuckles leads to arthritis
Big fat myth. This is not true, so relax, crack those knuckles and treat yourself. Atoms of oxygen are trapped between your knuckles and when you crack them, that pleasant sound is actually the atoms popping.
The Great Wall of China is the only man made structure visible from space
Since there isn’t a definition on where “space” starts, we can’t claim this. Truth is, you can’t see the Great Wall of China from there. By the way, the ISS is about 173 miles above sea level which is considered low Earth orbit. That’s barely even space. There are man made structures visible from that height, however, one being the Pyramids.