Happy Wednesday!
Did you know World Cup soccer referees run 6-8 miles each game? The players aren’t the only ones working hard!
Here’s what we’ve got this week:
TRIVIA
Biggest Teeth? 🦷
Which animal has the longest "teeth"?
(Explanation at the end!)
ANIMAL FOCUS
Sperm Whales 🐳
Sperm whales are some of the largest animals on earth! Here are a few cool facts:
They have the biggest brains on Earth! Their brains can weigh up to 20 pounds! That’s big, but still small compared to their huge bodies (adults can weigh up to 110,000 pounds). 🧠
They are the loudest animals on Earth! They make clicks up to 230 decibels (that’s 100 decibels louder than a jet engine). These clicks are loud enough to stun their prey! 🔊
Their heads are huge for a reason: inside is a special organ called the spermaceti organ. It’s filled with a waxy material to help focus sound. They use it to send out clicks like sonar to “see” in the dark ocean. 🔦
They can dive deeper than most submarines! They can dive at least 7,000 feet to hunt squid. In fact, they dive so deep that their lungs collapse to handle the pressure! ⚓
Their hearts can weigh up to 275 pounds! These strong hearts help pump blood during deep dives. ❤️
Want more? Visit our website for more facts and see why everything in the ocean fears them!
Right: Sperm whales sleep upright!
EVER WONDER?
Why do mints feel cold? 🥶
Mint tricks your brain into thinking something is cold. Here’s how it works:
Your mouth, tongue, and throat have special cold sensors
Mint has a chemical called menthol, which turns these sensors on
When turned on, these sensors send a signal to your brain. This makes your brain think it’s cold, even when it’s not!
That’s why mint gum and toothpaste feel cool and fresh!
How to make the cold feeling go away 👅
Wait it out: Your saliva will slowly wash the menthol away
Get used to it: The sensors become less active over time, so the cold feeling fades
Drink warm water: Warm sensors cancel out the cold signals
Why does breathing feel extra cold after a mint? 🧊
After eating mint, your cold sensors are already turned on and are more sensitive.
So when you breathe cold air (anything cooler than 79°F), your brain gets a stronger signal. That makes everything feel extra icy!
PICKS OF THE WEEK
🐱 What shapes your pet’s personality
👒 Lost hats (and pizza!) in Yellowstone
🏛️ How the Romans invented apartments
BRAIN TRIVIA
Killer Sudoku (Level 1): fill in each square so that every row, every column, and every 2×2 box contains the numbers 1-4 with no repeats. Also, the numbers in each dotted lined area must add up to the number given for that area.
Simon Biddie | reFocus Awards World Photo Annual 2025
Thanks for reading! See you next week!
- Steve
P.S. Elephant tusks can reach 8-10 feet long, longer than narwhal tusks (5-9 feet), walrus tusks (3 feet), and saber-toothed tiger teeth (11 inches)!
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