fun animal facts

WTF Fun Fact 13326 – Sloth Poop

How much do you know about sloth poop? Did you know that sloths only defecate once a week?

What’s interesting about sloth poop?

Because they only poop once a week, sloths can lose up to one-third of their body weight in a single bowel movement.

While most animals poop once or a few times a day, sloths are infrequent poopers. That’s because sloths have a unique digestive system that processes food very slowly. In fact, it can take up to a month for a sloth to digest a single meal. That’s why they don’t need to eat as often as other animals.

The sloth’s digestive tract is designed to extract as many nutrients as possible from food. That means there’s relatively very little leftover to produce waste. Waste is stored in a special sac in the lower part of the sloth’s large intestine. This builds up over time until the sloth is finally ready to poop.

When a sloth has the urge to go, it makes a trip down from the trees to the ground. Because they’re slow-moving, this is a dangerous trip that makes them vulnerable to predators on the ground. But the urge to go is so strong that sloths take the risk.

Once they reach the ground, sloths dig a small hole to “make their deposit.” The feces of a sloth is a valuable source of nutrients for the ecosystem. It’s important to other animals like moths and beetles that feed on it.

Other infrequent poopers

Armadillos are primarily insectivores, meaning they mostly eat insects such as beetles, termites, and ants. And because insects are high in protein and nutrients, armadillos don’t need to eat as frequently as other animals, so their digestive systems have adapted accordingly.

The slow metabolism of the armadillo and its unique digestive system also give the animal the ability to conserve water. This is an important adaptation for living in hot and dry environments. By holding onto their waste for longer periods of time, the animals are able to absorb more water from their food. This reduces the amount of water they need to drink.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “Sloths Only Poop Once a Week — But They Make It a Good One” — How Stuff Works

WTF Fun Fact 13275 – The Hyrax

The hyrax looks like a rodent. But, in fact, it’s actually more closely related to elephants, despite its small size and rodent-like appearance. This surprising relationship is due to similarities in their teeth and skull structures, as well as genetic evidence.

Fun facts about the hyrax

This is one odd little animal!

Hyraxes are also known as dassies or rock rabbits. These little creatures are furry mammals native to Africa and the Middle East. Hyraxes belong to the order Hyracoidea and are found in rocky habitats, such as mountains and cliffs.

There are four species of hyraxes: the rock hyrax, the bush hyrax, the yellow-spotted hyrax, and the tree hyrax. The rock hyrax is the most common and can be found in many parts of Africa.

Hyraxes are social animals that live in groups of up to 80. They communicate with each other through a series of grunts, whistles, and screams (so charming!).

They’re also territorial and mark their territory with unique specialized scent glands located on their feet. The cute little herbivores feed on a variety of vegetation, including leaves, shoots, and bark.

Hyraxes are also known for their excellent sense of hearing and sight. This helps them detect predators such as eagles, leopards, and snakes. When threatened, the animals really know how to make a racket. They will emit a loud, high-pitched scream to alert the rest of the group. (We’re getting increasingly grateful these don’t live in our backyard.)

Turning animals into oil?!

Hyrax oil, also known as rock rabbit oil or dassie oil, is a type of oil that is extracted from the fatty tissues of hyraxes. It has been used for a variety of purposes, including in traditional medicine, as a fuel source, and for cosmetic and perfume production.

Historically, this oil has been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, such as skin conditions, ear infections, and rheumatism. It has also been used as a lubricant and fuel source for lamps and candles.

In some cultures, hyrax oil has also been used in cosmetics and perfumes due to its distinctive musky odor. However, the use of their oil in modern cosmetic and perfume production is not common, and synthetic musk fragrances have largely replaced it.

Despite its historical use in traditional medicine and other industries, the harvesting of hyrax oil is considered illegal in many countries due to the endangered status of some hyrax species. As a result, it has largely fallen out of favor in modern times.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “Hyrax” — Encyclopedia Britannica

WTF Fun Fact 13264 – Duck Have Waterproof Feathers

Did you know that ducks have highly waterproof feathers? It makes sense, right? After all, they’d probably freeze in cold weather if something wasn’t helping to insulate them.

How do waterproof feathers work?

A duck’s waterproof feathers are due to the special oil that they produce.

Ducks have a special oil gland called the preen gland (also known as the uropygial gland) that is located at the base of their tail. They spread the oil over their feathers as they preen themselves.

This oil also keeps the duck’s feathers dry and helps it to float in water. And to top it off, it even contains antimicrobial properties that help to keep the duck’s feathers clean and free from harmful bacteria.

Duck feathers also trap air and provide insulation to keep them warm in cold water. And they have a unique structure that helps to repel water.

The feather shaft is made up of a hard, central quill surrounded by a series of barbs and barbules that interlock to create a flat surface. These barbs and barbules are arranged in a particular way that allows them to lock together tightly. This creates a barrier that prevents water from penetrating through the feather to the bird’s skin.

This unique feather structure is what allows ducks to stay warm and dry in wet environments and helps them to regulate their body temperature.

The beauty of duck feathers

Duck feathers aren’t just practical. They’re also beautiful in ways that humans can’t even see. Their colors aren’t always visible to the human eye.

Many duck feathers contain iridescent structural colors that are created by the way that light reflects off of the feather’s surface. This can create a range of different colors and patterns, from bright greens and blues to deep purples and reds.

Male ducks often have brightly colored feathers that are used to attract mates during the breeding season. For example, male mallards have distinctive green heads and necks, while male wood ducks have a colorful pattern of red, green, and white feathers on their faces and bodies. — WTF fun facts

Source: “Waterfowl feathers” – Ducks Unlimited