Animal Oddities That Sound Made Up

Three hearts, cube-shaped poop and a punch that boils water. Every one comes with its receipt.

11 facts · 11 verified · Updated October 31, 2026 · How we check facts

  1. 01 Verified

    Octopuses have three hearts.

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    “They have three hearts; a systemic or main heart that circulates blood around the body and two branchial or gill hearts that pump it through the two gills.”

    Source: Octopus, Wikipedia. Checked 2026-10-31.

  2. 02 Verified

    Wombats leave cube-shaped droppings.

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    “Wombats leave distinctive cube-shaped faeces.”

    Source: Wombat, Wikipedia. Checked 2026-10-31.

  3. 03 Verified

    Tardigrades have survived being exposed to outer space.

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    “They have survived exposure to outer space.”

    Source: Tardigrade, Wikipedia. Checked 2026-10-31.

  4. 04 Verified

    A mantis shrimp strikes so fast that it creates cavitation bubbles in the water.

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    “Because they strike so rapidly, they generate vapor-filled bubbles in the water between the appendage and the striking surface—known as cavitation bubbles.”

    Source: Mantis shrimp, Wikipedia. Checked 2026-10-31.

  5. 05 Verified

    Axolotls can regrow limbs, gills and even parts of their eyes and brains.

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    “There currently exists a large captive population of axolotls, with specimens used extensively in scientific research because of their unusual ability to regenerate body parts, including limbs, gills and parts of their eyes and brains.”

    Source: Axolotl, Wikipedia. Checked 2026-10-31.

  6. 06 Verified

    Hummingbirds can fly in any direction, helicopter-style, and hover in place.

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    “Hummingbirds have compact bodies with relatively long, bladelike wings having anatomical structure enabling helicopter -like flight in any direction, including the ability to hover.”

    Source: Hummingbird, Wikipedia. Checked 2026-10-31.

  7. 07 Verified

    Three-toed sloths climb down to the ground only about once a week, to go to the bathroom.

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    “Three-toed sloths go to the ground to urinate and defecate about once a week, digging a hole and covering it afterwards.”

    Source: Sloth, Wikipedia. Checked 2026-10-31.

  8. 08 Verified

    The platypus is a mammal that lays eggs.

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    “The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus), sometimes referred to as the duck-billed platypus, is a semiaquatic, egg-laying mammal endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania.”

    Source: Platypus, Wikipedia. Checked 2026-10-31.

  9. 09 Verified

    A narwhal's 'horn' is really a tooth.

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    “The most conspicuous trait of male narwhals is a long, spiralled tusk, which is a canine tooth that projects from the left side of the upper jaw.”

    Source: Narwhal, Wikipedia. Checked 2026-10-31.

  10. 10 Verified

    Flamingos are pink because of pigments in their food.

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    “The pink or reddish colour of flamingos comes from carotenoids in their diet of animal and plant plankton.”

    Source: Flamingo, Wikipedia. Checked 2026-10-31.

  11. 11 Verified

    A group of crows is called a 'murder'.

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    “The collective name for a group of crows is a "murder".”

    Source: Crow, Wikipedia. Checked 2026-10-31.

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