What are clams? Clams fall in the category of molluscs. They are soft-bodied and boneless. The body is protected by two hard shells which close over it. Clams are of two kinds—soft-shelled and hard-shelled. The former stands in the mud like a book in a...
When did animals move from sea to land? The shift to land happened 380 million years ago. Some amphibians like eryops could breathe air but they laid their eggs in water and to keep their skin moist. Eryops had thick skin which protected it and...
What were the laws introduced by Hammurabi? Hammurabi was a great ruler of Babylon who made the kingdom very powerful in 1700 BC. Hammurabi made around 282 laws which were followed by his people. Some laws were passed to protect the weak from the strong....
What is hoof-and-mouth disease? Hoof and mouth disease or foot-and-mouth disease is a disease that attacks almost all farm animals, except horses. The animal gets blisters on the tongue and lips and around the mouth and between the claws of its feet as well as...
Who baked bread first? The Egyptians, it is believed, were the first to make bread, around 3,000 BC. They were the ones who discovered yeast and so they were the first to make loaves of bread, while Hebrews’ bread was like thin sheets. Bread is...
Do animals like to take hot baths? During winter most of us love to take hot baths. Well, so do some animals. For instance, macaque monkeys live in the mountains of Japan which are quite cold. But the saving grace is provided by hot springs...
Why do peacocks display their feathers? Peacocks are natives of India and South East Asia. The male peacock displays his beautiful feathers to attract the peahen during the mating season and not because it is vain or showing off. However the peacock’s display has led...
Were there dinosaurs which lived under water? There were no dinosaurs which lived under water. Initially it was believed that Brachiosaurus was too big to live on land. But the fact is that the pressure of the water would have crushed its ribs making it...
When did man begin eating eggs? Since prehistoric times men have been eating hen’s eggs. The Chinese were familiar with chickens 3,500 years ago. But they probably reached the western hemisphere only with the second voyage of Columbus in 1493. Today the chicken is the...
What gives us our appetite? Humans experience hunger, thirst and appetite. The hunger centre in the brain regulates the activity of the stomach and intestines. Hunger is a signal that the body needs nutrition. This activates the stomach and intestines making the stomach rumble. But...
