Animals are amazing, and there are so many weird and wonderful things about them! Did you know a cheetah can’t roar, or that dolphins sleep with one eye open? Some animals can glow in the dark, while others never drink water their whole life!
These fun facts will surprise you and make you love animals even more. Get ready to learn 20 more crazy, simple, and super cool animal facts that kids will enjoy sharing with friends!
1. Cheetahs can’t roar, but they can purr
Unlike lions and tigers, cheetahs can’t roar! Instead, they make chirping sounds and even purr like a cat when they’re happy.
2. Dolphins sleep with one eye open
Dolphins always keep one eye open while sleeping! They shut down only half their brain at a time so they can keep swimming and stay safe.
3. Koalas sleep up to 22 hours a day
Koalas are the sleepiest animals! They can nap for up to 22 hours a day because their food, eucalyptus leaves, doesn’t give them much energy.
4. A panda’s favorite food is bamboo
Pandas love bamboo so much that they eat it for about 12 hours a day! Since bamboo doesn’t have much nutrition.
They need to eat up to 80 pounds of it daily to stay full. Even though they have sharp teeth like meat-eaters, they mostly stick to plants.
5. Starfish don’t have a brain
Starfish may look simple, and that’s because they don’t even have a brain! Instead, they use their nerve system to move and sense things.
6. Snakes can smell with their tongues
Snakes don’t use their noses like we do—they flick out their tongues to "smell" the air and find food or sense danger.
7. Some turtles can breathe through their butts
It sounds silly, but some turtles can breathe through their butts! This helps them stay underwater for a long time.
8. Parrots can learn to talk
Parrots are great at copying sounds, and some can even say full sentences! The African Grey Parrot is one of the best at talking.
9. An ostrich’s eye is bigger than its brain
Ostriches have huge eyes that help them see far distances, but their brain is smaller than their eyeball!
10. Elephants use their trunks like a straw
An elephant’s trunk is super strong and works like a straw. It can suck up to 2 gallons of water at once and spray it into their mouth.
11. Frogs don’t drink water—they soak it up
Frogs don’t drink water like we do. Instead, they absorb it through their skin to stay hydrated.
12. A cat’s whiskers help it see in the dark
Cats use their whiskers to sense what’s around them. It helps them move easily in the dark without bumping into things.
13. A bat is the only flying mammal
Bats are the only mammals that can truly fly! Other animals like flying squirrels only glide through the air.
14. Camels don’t store water in their humps
Many people think camels store water in their humps, but they actually store fat! This helps them survive in the hot desert.
15. Goldfish can recognize faces
Goldfish may seem simple, but they can actually recognize their owners! If you feed them regularly, they might even follow your finger in the water. Some goldfish can even remember things for months!
16. Fireflies glow in the dark
Fireflies are special bugs that light up at night to talk to each other and find mates. Their glow is called bioluminescence!
17. Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backward
Hummingbirds are tiny but powerful fliers. They are the only birds that can fly backward and even hover in one spot like a helicopter!
18. Some sharks never stop swimming
Certain sharks, like the great white, have to keep moving all the time or they won’t be able to breathe properly.
19. A jellyfish has no brain, heart, or bones
Jellyfish are amazing creatures because they have no brain, heart, or bones! Their bodies are made mostly of water.
20. Kangaroo babies are the size of a jellybean
When a baby kangaroo is born, it’s only as big as a jellybean! It crawls into its mother’s pouch and stays there until it’s big enough to hop around.
Browse More Enthralling Content:
30 Shocking Facts About Animals You Won’t Believe!
25 Cool Facts About Japan You Probably Didn’t Know!
20+ Shocking Snake Facts That Will Blow Your Mind
30 Mind-Blowing Facts About Dolphins You’ll Love
Anne Kostick has been Editor-in-Chief since September 2007. Previously, Anne was a principal at Foxpath IND, a publishing, consulting and editorial services company specializing in the transition to and from traditional content publishing and online content management, development and publishing. Her clients included trade book publishers, technology and financial services Web sites, and arts and cultural institutions. Previously, she worked as Licensing and Product Development Director, Senior Acquisitions Editor and Director of Electronic Publishing for Workman Publishing, and as Senior Acquisitions Editor for Harry N. Abrams/Stewart, Tabori & Chang. In the online world she worked as Director of Content Development for Vitaminshoppe.com. Anne has a B.A. in Greek and Latin, with a minor in Theater, from Beloit College. She is the author of several books for children, as well as a definitive collection of jokes.