12 Fascinating Facts About Animals You Wouldn’t Believe Are True

We share a planet with these weird and wonderful creatures, but how well do we really know them? FunnyModo takes a look at some of the most interesting and unusual facts about animals around the world.

1. Goats have accents.

Research has shown that, just like humans, the vocal inflections of goats can change according to their environment and time spent around their peers!

2. Wolves mate for life.

A wolf pack will often consist of an alpha male and female and their offspring, and the older cubs will often help take care of the younger ones.

3. There is a type of jellyfish that is immortal.

This underwater creature can replicate the tissues of its body using stem cells, essentially reincarnating itself.

4. Pugs have the best collective noun.

There are a lot of great collective nouns for animals: a smack of jellyfish, a storytelling of ravens. But the most perfect one has got to be for these adorable dogs, collectively known as a grumble of pugs.

5. Penguins propose to their mates.

Penguins also mate for life, and when choosing a mate the male will present the female with a pebble as a symbol of his affection.

6. Elephants have incredible social habits.

Elephants can laugh and cry. They hold greeting ceremonies to welcome back a family member who has been away for a while and “funerals” for members who pass away.

7. Cows have best friends.

Studies have shown that cows are very sociable and can have a preferred pal amongst their herd. If separated from this friend, they can become stressed and anxious.

8. Manatees inspired mermaid myths.

When feeding on the surface of the ocean, manatees would sometimes get seaweed stuck around their heads, resembling long hair. This, paired with their tails, led many sailors to believe that they’d seen a mermaid.

9. Whale songs spread like human music.

In areas shared by several whales, they will all sing the same song which will develop over time. If the song is “catchy” enough, it will travel to other areas like human pop music, with other groups of whales learning it and joining in.

10. Oysters can change gender.

Depending on which is the most useful for the current mating season, oysters can switch between male and female.

11. Female lions stick together for life.

Sister lionesses will live together all their lives. When they have cubs, the females will stay with their mothers and aunts while the males will venture out to find their own prides.

12. Male seahorses carry their young.

Seahorses are monogamous. When it comes to mating, it’s the males who will carry fertilized eggs in a pouch until they are ready to be born. Seahorses also hold on to each other’s tails when swimming, the way humans hold hands.

Preview photo credit Sander van der Wel