Did sea reptiles lay eggs? Many of the sea reptiles used to come to the land to lay eggs very much like the modern-day turtles. But Ichthyosaurus was a notable exception. It gave birth to its young like the dolphins of today which are sea...
Why is Mars called the ‘red planet’? It is Mars’ red colour that has given it the name, ‘red planet’. The surface of Mars is reddish-orange and is caused by the iron minerals present in the surface rocks and soil. Mars resembles Earth more than...
How did restaurants originate? The cook shops of London in the 12th century were among the precursors of the restaurant. Before that there were taverns where people gathered to drink, talk and eat. In the 15th century, taverns provided meals at certain hours. In 1650...
What is mistletoe? Mistletoe is a plant that is not rooted in earth. It grows on the branches of other trees. It is a parasite which draws nourishment from its host tree. Mistletoe is believed to be lucky and is hung over the entrance of...
Why does the moon keep changing its shape? This is because we can see only the parts of the moon that the sun shines on. When it is new moon, the unlit side faces Earth and we cannot see it. As the moon circles the...
What is the Great Pyramid? Pyramids are the burial places of Egyptian Pharaohs of the Old and Middle kingdoms (3,500 to 5,000 years ago. It took thousands of craftsmen and labourers to build a pyramid. The Great Pyramid was built in Giza for King Khufu...
How is earth different from other planets? Earth is made of huge oceans of water and has a lot of oxygen in its atmosphere. Its atmosphere is like a blanket, retaining enough of the sun’s heat to create a comfortable temperature. These three factors water,...
Why do pigs wallow in the mud? Pigs take mud baths for coolness, comfort and protection from insects. The mud protects the pig’s skin from insect bites and the harsh rays of the sun. Unlike us, pigs don’t have sweat glands so their bodies cannot...
How did the circus begin? It was the Romans who first thought of combining different acts like juggling, training wild animals acrobatics, etc. into a circus. The word itself comes from a Latin word related to races. So the circus began with races and the...
Why do people wear black for mourning? In western cultures, people wear black clothes for mourning. Black is a gloomy colour so it is felt to be apt for the occasion. In many Asian countries like China, India and Japan, however, white is the preferred...
