Interesting facts about nature - this is a topic that, perhaps, interests everyone, regardless of age, social status or financial situation. Man is very curious by nature. He tries to absorb as much as possible various kinds of information. Something lingers in memory for a long time, something is almost immediately forgotten, something can quite unexpectedly appear in a conversation.
By the way, not everyone thinks that, say, interesting facts about nature for children need a different presentation. The child does not perceive the abundance of numbers and dates, and dry data sounds to him like incoherent muttering. That is why it is necessary to provide information for kids in portions, accompanying the story with drawings and leading questions.
This article addresses many interesting facts about nature and animals. Of course, it is impossible to acquaint the reader, both small and adult, with a complete list due to the abundance of information. But still we tried to select the most curious.
Section 1. These Amazing Deserts
It is believed that on Earth there are only 2 huge, but very different from each other, deserts, Antarctica and the Sahara. The first is icy and therefore practically lifeless, the second in the summer months resembles a frying pan set on fire and is also poorly populated. A similar feature of both can be called 180-meter dunes, snow for one and sand for the other.
Since we are more attracted to interesting facts from the life of nature, we’ll also talk about another extreme place in terms of temperature of the planet, which, surprisingly, is quite inhabited and quite densely populated. This is Death Valley. Today, 55 species of reptiles and 40 species of mammals live here. In addition, this desert is home to 545 plant types. Without any problems, you can see 15 species of birds, even 13 species of fish.
In general, the Atacama desert region is considered the world record holder for aridity, it is hard to imagine that there has not been rain for four centuries.
Such strong winds often blow in the Sahara that they manage to carry a million tons of dust and sand out of the desert in a day. The highest point of the Sahara, 3415 m, is Amy Kouso.
And finally, about the beautiful. In general, we all know that deserts are famous for mirages. For example, in only one Sugar, almost 160 thousand of them are recorded annually. Now even special tourist maps are published with caravan tracks marked on them, where points of observation of mirages are marked.
Section 2. How animals adapt to heat
The lack of moisture forces the inhabitants of the desert to adapt to life in a variety of ways. For example, the Moloch lizard has developed a unique ability to collect moisture from the surface of the skin. All the liquid that gets on her skin flows through microscopic channels between the scales into the mouth of the lizard. In especially dry times, the lizard buries its belly in wet sand, removing moisture from it.
The most famous desert animal is the camel. He can move on quicksand even in 60-degree heat. In his hump there is a reserve of fat, which, if necessary, is converted into water. Thanks to this, camels can live without drinking for 30 days. However, when they get to the water, they drink 90 liters in just 10 minutes.
Desert scorpion extracts water from food, and its hard shell prevents the evaporation of water from the body. When there is no food for a long time, a scorpion can starve for a year or more without any serious consequences.
Rocky squirrel lives in the deserts of North America - a real record of endurance. She may well not drink for 100 days, eating only dry food: her body independently produces water.
The secrets of nature are really boundless. Interesting facts are found at every step.
Section 3. What did we not know about Antarctica?
Did you know that the word "Antarctica" in translation into Russian means "opposite the bear"? Meanwhile, this is indeed so.
In addition, it is impossible not to mention that it is not part of any state, being considered a general reserve created specifically for the study of nature and wildlife. By the way, not everyone knows that Antarctica has no time zones.
What role does this continent play in the life of the earth? One of the most important! In the ice of Antarctica is 70% of the fresh water of our planet. Of course, until we use it. But experts say that the time will come when a lot will really depend on it.
This interesting facts about the nature of this part of the globe, of course, do not end there. This continent is also known as a place for establishing a number of records, including: dryness, cold, solar radiation and extremely powerful wind.
By the way, as it turned out, Antarctica has no permanent residents at all, and only scientists are temporary inhabitants of these places. As a rule, in winter the number of specialists located in Antarctica does not exceed 1 thousand people, and in the summer - 5 thousand.
Note that the typical “summer” month in Antarctica is February.
Section 4. Penguins - Unique Animals of the Far South
If we examine in detail interesting facts about nature, it will surely turn out that it is simply impossible to ignore these birds. They are very amazing, and their life does not cease to amaze even experienced scientists.
So penguins. The males of some of them attract attention by hatching eggs instead of the females, who spend all this free time in the ocean. Parents feed the born chicks in turn, burping semi-digested food directly into the babies mouth.
Antarctic penguins build nests from mud, small stones. In England and the USA, these birds are called macaroni. Surprisingly, this term was once called the mods.
In general, on land these birds look very awkward, but if they get into the water, their grace and dexterity can literally be envied.
But nevertheless, as it turns out in practice, penguins prefer land, spending a minimum of time in water.
Section 5. Interesting facts about nature: the boundless Pacific Ocean
This section of the water surface is deservedly considered the largest on Earth. And this is not surprising, because it occupies 1/3 of the surface of the planet.
Not everyone knows that the name of the Pacific Ocean was given by the famous navigator of the XVI century. Magellan. Why exactly this? The thing is that the researcher, by some miracle, managed to overcome his waters not only without storms, but also with a fair wind.
In general, there are many islands in the water of the vast Pacific Ocean, some of which literally grew on the peaks of underwater coral reefs. And there are those that were once formed on the site of underwater volcanoes.
Experts have established that the highest tides on Earth are noted precisely in the Pacific Ocean. For example, off the coast of Korea, they sometimes reach 9 m.
The average depth of the Pacific Ocean is 4.2 km. And by the way, it is here that there are more seamounts than in any other ocean. In the peripheral parts there are hollows, the deepest - Mariana.
Section 6. The largest animal of the planet
When we state any, even completely random, but interesting facts about nature for children, whales in babies, as a rule, cause increased interest. Yes, and adults too. Which, however, is not surprising. Considered the largest and most powerful, they are also the most mysterious mammals of the globe.
By the way, for many peoples, whales are sacred animals. For example, in Vietnam, interesting facts about nature are always supplemented by stories, and sometimes even myths and legends about the life of these water giants.
One of the amazing habits of all gray whales is the mating of three. A female and 2 males participate in the action. Today, in the Japanese city of Hirado, it is even planned to create the world's first whale farm. True, the project is doubtful in terms of achieving certain results, because one whale eats 150-230 kg of fish per day. Is it worth it to invest in it? Whether such a campaign will be unprofitable, time will tell.
But in terms of ecology, they suffer greatly because of our activities. For example, it has been established that if whales are massively washed ashore in some place on the globe, they do this most likely due to the influence of military sonar on them. Why is this happening? The thing is that whales perceive the world mainly through hearing, from high frequencies they stall, which means that they cease to navigate in space.
It is impossible not to mention that whales are the only mammals except us who sing. The shortest “aria” of the giant lasts about 6 minutes, and the longest - sometimes even up to half an hour. And it’s also curious to know that of the cetaceans, the largest brain belongs to sperm whales, weighing up to 8 kg. For comparison, the blue brain weighs only 3 kg.
Section 7. Interesting facts of inanimate nature: what are volcanoes
Everyone knows that the eruptions of huge volcanoes have terrifying consequences, such as fire rain, global climate change and other catastrophes, compared with which destroyed houses and damaged agricultural lands seem like nothing. Fortunately, such huge and dangerous volcanoes erupt quite rarely, approximately several times in 100 thousand years.
The largest of the recorded eruptions is the activity of the Tambora volcano, located on the Indonesian island of Sumbawa. His eruption cost the lives of 100 thousand people. By the way, researchers believe that Indonesia has the largest number of active volcanoes, their total number is 76 pcs.
The unusual ability of volcanoes to further growth is also interesting - the accumulating lava and ash increase its height over time.
The volcano Kelimutu in Indonesia at its peak has 3 unusual lakes, which from time to time acquire turquoise, green, black or red colors. Such transformations are caused by the reaction of volcanic gases that react with various minerals.
Here is a list of just a few amazing facts:
- The highest volcano on our planet is Mauna Loa (4 thousand meters), which is located in Hawaii.
- Most of the islands of the Atlantic Ocean were formed just as a result of volcanic activity.
- Aso Volcano, located on about. Kiu Shiu in Japan, recognized as the largest volcano. Its crater has a width of 14 km, a length of 23 km, and a depth of 500 m.
- Most often, eruptions occur in the super volcano Isalco, located in El Salvador, it erupts every 8 minutes.
