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In the Fact File section we bring you a new collection of quick facts and trivia each week. (Click on the links below for more facts)

 
 

2081/ Boston Common is the oldest public park in the United States.

2082/ Each year approximately 18 billion gallons of propane gas are produced and sold to over 60 million customers nationwide in the US.

2083/ Lieutenant Stokeley Morgan of Camden won fame by firing the first shot in the Spanish American War at Manila Bay in the Philippines on May 1, 1898.

2084/ Angel fish have different markings, including black, zebra, silver, gold, blushing, marble. They like high temperatures (27-29 celcius or higher). Below 24C, the fish are sluggish and weak. Angelfish come from the Amazon region, and grow up to fifteen centimetres long. They like soft water, slightly acidic (PH 6.5 to 6.9).

2085/ Goldfish history can be traced back over 1500 years to Ancient China. Today 'Jaws' is the most popular name for a goldfish. They were introduced to Australia in 1876 and are now widely distributed in streams and ponds through the southern half of the country.

2086/The world’s oldest known captive goldfish, Tish, died peacefully at home in his tank at the age of at least 43 in 1999. He started out as a roll-a-penny prize won by a seven year old boy Peter during a visit to a fairground in 1956. He originally shared his tank with Tosh who died in 1975. The family had to fit a net over the top of the tank to stop Tish leaping out in his despair. He outlived all the other family pets and when Peter left home, Tish moved to the retirement village with Peter’s parents, Gordon and Hilda. They attributed his longevity to a light diet, clean water and never being touched with hands (i.e. using a net).

2087/ Cats are pure carnivores. They need a high level of protein in their diets - around 30% - and lack the digestive equipment to do well on a diet of grains, fruits or vegetables. Hence although dogs do just fine on a vegetarian diet, cats do not.

2088/ Kittens are born with both eyes and ears closed. When the eyes open, they are always blue at first. They change colour over a period of months to the final eye colour.

2089/ Siamese kittens are born white because of the heat inside the mother's uterus before birth. This heat keeps the kittens' hair from darkening on the points.

2090/ To purr, cats use extra tissue in the larynx (voice box). This tissue vibrates when they purr.

2091/ Argos or Argus, Ulysses' hunting dog, was the only creature to recognize the Greek hero when he returned home disguised as a beggar after 20 years of adventure.

2092/ Stone-aged people tamed dogs to help them track game. About eight thousand years ago, ancient Egyptians raised Saluki hunting dogs. Saluki is an arabic word meaning noble one. These dogs are probably the oldest known breed

2093/ All dogs are probably descended from an animal called Tomarctus. This animal lived approximately 15 million years ago.

2094/ Irish Wolfhounds rank as the largest dog, and Chihuahuas as the smallest dog. The St. Bernard is the heaviest dog and other breeds range in size between these extremes.

2095/ The favorite plants of the mountain gorilla are the leaves of the hacienda and wild trees and wild celery. Western lowland gorillas in Gabon will eat insects, the most favorite being the weaver ant.

2096/ A mature male gorilla is called a Silver back This refers to the silver-colored hair covering his back, which occurs when he’s about 10-12 years old.

2097/ A young male (about 8 to 10 years old) is called a black jack. He’s almost as big as a Silver Back, but his hair has not turned silvery yet, and he still has a lot to learn.

2098/ Turtles have a special way of breathing because their shells prevent their chests from expanding. They use muscles to expand and contract the size of their chest cavity by moving their internal organs around. They also use gular pumping, which is when the throat is expanded to draw in air and go into the lungs.

2099/ Turtles don't have teeth, they have sharp-edged horny jaw sheath. They can't chew their food, they have to tear off bite size pieces and use their claws and jaws to eat their food. They have an structure on the roof of their mouth called the Jacobson's organ, which connects the brain to the olfactory nerve, which means that they have a great sense of smell, even in water.

2100/ The record depth for the dangerous sport of no limits free diving by a woman is 125 m. (411 ft.) by Audrey Mestre Ferrera at La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain on May 13, 2000. Taking just one single breath she was underwater for 2 min. 3 sec. The depth is greater than Japanese submarines reached during World War II..

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