The shortest war in history lasted only 38 minutes. It was fought between the countries of Zanzibar and the United Kingdom.
The shortest war in recorded history was a brisk 38 minutes long. This brief but notable conflict occurred between the Sultanate of Zanzibar and the United Kingdom on the 27th of August, 1896. Following the death of the Sultan, a successor took the throne in Zanzibar without British approval, which was a violation of a previous treaty.

a group of flamingos is called a flamboyance.
Flamingos, with their vibrant hues and distinctive posture, are indeed flamboyant creatures. So much so, that a group of these striking birds is appropriately termed a 'flamboyance'. Now, have you ever wondered about the source of their brilliant pink coloration? Interestingly, it's all down to their diet. Flamingos feast on a variety of organisms such as shrimp, algae, and other tiny creatures that inhabit the water bodies they call home.

the inventor of Pringles, Fredric Baur, had his ashes buried in a Pringles can.
It's not often that an inventor becomes so synonymous with their invention, but such is the case with Fredric Baur. Baur was the mastermind behind the distinctive tubular packaging of Pringles, the globally-loved potato chip brand. He came up with the design in 1966 while working for Procter & Gamble, aiming to solve the problem of broken chips in standard bags.

cats have a unique collarbone that allows them to always land on their feet.
Cats are renowned for their agility and balance, epitomized by their impressive ability to almost always land on their feet - a phenomenon known as the 'righting reflex'. This is in large part thanks to their unique skeletal structure, particularly their collarbone, or clavicle. Unlike in humans, a cat's clavicle is not directly connected to other bones but is buried in the muscles of the shoulder region. This arrangement allows for a greater range of movement in the upper body, enabling cats to twist and turn mid-air.

all the swans in England are owned by the queen
England has a curious, centuries-old law that may surprise you - all unmarked mute swans in open water are considered the property of the Crown, effectively meaning they are owned by the Queen.

a group of hedgehogs is called a prickle
When it comes to collective nouns, the English language can be wonderfully creative. Case in point, a group of hedgehogs is delightfully referred to as a 'prickle'. This term is a playful nod to the hedgehog's most distinctive feature - its prickly spines.

Charlie Chaplin once entered a Charlie Chaplin look-alike contest and came in third place.
In a twist of irony that seems straight out of one of his comedic films, Charlie Chaplin, the legendary silent film star, once entered a Charlie Chaplin look-alike contest, only to come in third place.

astronauts can grow up to two inches taller in space due to the lack of gravity
The wonders of space travel extend to some surprising physical changes for astronauts, one of which is an increase in height. In the microgravity environment of space, astronauts can grow up to two inches taller. 

lobsters can live up to 100 years old
Lobsters are fascinating creatures, not just for their culinary value, but for their surprising longevity. These crustaceans are known to live up to 100 years old, and some may even live longer. Unlike many other creatures, lobsters don't show typical signs of aging.

it's impossible to hum while holding your nose
Here's a fun experiment you can try right now - try to hum while holding your nose. You'll find that it's impossible! But why is that? When you hum, you produce sound by expelling air through your nose while your mouth is closed. This process makes the air vibrate, producing the humming sound.