Flora & Fauna

From a <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/historical-events-jonathan-the-tortoise-lived-through/garri-chaverst" target="_blank">nearly 200-year-old tortoise</a> to a dinosaur delivery by helicopter, these random images are weird, interesting, and pretty cool. Vote up the images that are the most compelling.&nbsp;

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Stories, pics, trivia, and interesting tidbits about all creatures, great and small.

Enter the Animal Kingdom

Darling, it's better down where it's wetter.

Under the Sea

Weird Nature

We all wonder what alien life might look like, but there are some strange creatures swimming in our oceans that are more bizarre than anything Hollywood has imagined. About 71 percent of the surface of the Earth is covered in water and we are still only beginning to discover the incredible biodiversity and unusual denizens of the oceans. Ocean life and sea animals are full of surprises, and there are all kinds of cool fish (and a few <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/scariest-fish-list/ranker-science" target="_blank">scary ones</a>) living in the ocean.What fascinating fish facts should you know about the many creatures of the ocean depths? Did you know that until 2013, no one had ever recorded a video of a giant squid alive? The coelacanth was thought to be extinct for millions of years until one was caught alive in 1938. There are also an array of alien-like jellyfish and terrifying deep-sea monsters that look like something out of a horror movie.So what is the weirdest, wildest ocean creature alive? Believe it or not, all the ocean animals and fish below are 100% real. Vote up the most interesting and maybe slightly scary facts about ocean life below!

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Pretty Cool And Kind Of Scary Facts About Ocean Creatures

Cool Fish Facts | Sea Animals & Ocean Life Trivia

Ranker Science

People have been living all around the world for literally thousands of years. Here are some of the most interesting things human beings have ever done (that we know about).

Fascinating Ancient History

Weird History

The 6th century boasted many exceptional&nbsp;events, people, and historical contributions. The exception, however, was&nbsp;one year that was particularly burdened with a level of tragedy and strife&nbsp;most historians say surpassed any other moment in history: 536 CE. This was the worst part of the Dark Ages.&nbsp;

Calling the medieval period the &quot;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/reasons-dark-ages-were-not-dark/melissa-sartore" target="_blank">Dark Ages</a>&quot; may seem to be a&nbsp;bit of an exaggeration to the period overall, but scientists and historians recently determined the worst time to be alive was, in fact, during one of these so-called dark years. Across the globe, from Europe to Asia to South America, civilization stalled as people dealt with hardships brought on by horrific natural events.

Plagues, famines, and natural disasters all contributed to the challenges of 536, as did messy political shifts and cultural upheavals. <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/what-life-was-like-in-medieval-castles/shanell-mouland" target="_blank">Living in medieval Europe</a> was anything but easy, and the 6th century appeared&nbsp;exceptionally difficult to survive.&nbsp;Don&#39;t worry, though - about 100 years later <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/how-did-humans-survive-536-ad-worst-year/genevieve-carlton" target="_blank">everything recovered as best it could</a>.

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Historians Agree 536 Was The Worst Year To Be Alive - What Happened?

Reasons 536 CE Was The Worst Year To Be Alive

Melissa Sartore

Exploring the many ways space, space travels, and extraterrestrial life are depicted in film, TV, literature, anime, comics, and technology.

Imagining Life in Space

Best TV

The outer galaxy has fascinated television viewers for decades. The <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-exciting-sci-fi-tv-shows/ranker-tv?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best space TV shows</a> feature out-of-this-world storylines, extraterrestrial beings, and scientific humanoids. This list of the greatest TV shows about outer space includes everything from Star Trek: The Original Series to Battlestar Galactica to Firefly and is ranked from best to worst by your votes.

What shows will you find on this list of the best TV shows set in space? Since it first premiered in 1963, Doctor Who has become a staple of British - and global - television. The regenerating Time Lord explores space and time from his distinctive blue ship, the TARDIS.&nbsp;The lead characters of Mystery Science Theatre 3000 are trapped in a spaceship and forced to watch B movies as their captor attempts to take over the world. Other good <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/current-tv-shows-about-space/ranker-tv?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">TV shows about space</a> include Babylon 5, Lost in Space, and Farscape. Next to those classics and are <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/current-tv-shows-about-space/ranker-tv" target="_blank">newer TV shows set in space</a>, such as The Mandalorian, For All Mankind, and Space Force.

Which space TV show do you think is the best? Vote up the best TV shows set in space and see where your favorite out-of-this-world series rank.

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Mystery Science Theater 3000

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The 50+ Best Space Shows, Ranked

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The 50+ Best TV Shows Set In Space, Ranked By Fans By Fans

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Weird

Researchers across the world seek the answers to every question known to man, from &quot;How can we possibly cure the ravaging foe called cancer?&quot; to &quot;Precisely how far can penguins launch their poop?&quot; It's easy to grasp the aim of the former, but you'd understandably have a more difficult time explaining the point of the latter. Yet that is just one of many&nbsp;weird scientific experiments in human history that somehow received funding.While that's a more innocuous example of empiricism, there are, of course, real instances of what one might reasonably call &quot;mad science.&quot; Even the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/the-13-most-evil-u-s-government-experiments-on-humans/robert-wabash" target="_blank">US government has engaged in such experimentation on humans</a>&nbsp;(often under the purview of equally <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/weird-government-agencies/jacob-shelton" target="_blank">weird government agencies</a>). And mad science is no less inexplicable/unforgivable when it's done to animals.Here are examples of weird scientific experiments that run the gamut, but they all have one thing in common: they're&nbsp;incredibly strange, yet someone gave them the okay (and the funding).

Weirdest Scientific Experiments That You Won't Believe People Actually Got Funding For

Weird Scientific Experiments That You Won't Believe People Actually Got Funding For

Zack Howe

The Sea

If you're allergic to color, please put on your sunglasses. The world's colorful coral reefs are undersea mansions that are home to more species of marine life than any other habitat. Coral reefs are beautiful rocky mounds built by living animals - not plants! - through the accumulation and deposition of lime deposits. If you've never seen pictures of coral reefs, then you are in for a real treat.Coral reefs are found all around the world in tropical and subtropical oceans. They usually thrive in shallow areas at a depth of less than 150 feet, which is good news for&nbsp;snorkelers, but some&nbsp;can be found as deep as 450 feet.&nbsp;Coral only covers one percent of the ocean floor - a total area about the size of France - but it has a huge effect on the overall health of the planet's oceans.&nbsp;According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), &quot;Coral reef plants and animals are important sources of new medicines being developed to treat cancer, arthritis, human bacterial infections, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, viruses and other diseases.&quot; Clearly, there's more to the coral reef images here than just beauty! &nbsp; The denizens of coral reefs tend to be as garishly colored as the coral itself ,in order to blend in with the surroundings and not stand out to predators. This creates some striking scenery, as you can see below. Which picture makes you want to buy some snorkel gear and book a trip to the Bahamas right now? Vote up the photos below that make you crazy for coral.

Stunning Coral Reef Photos

Coral Reef Pictures | Ocean Coral & Coral Reefs

Robert DeSalvo

She's got so much love, got so much patience—She's learned from the pain. She turned out amaaaaziiiinggggggg.

Ariana Grande

Taylor Swift has her cats named Olivia Benson and Meredith Grey. Chris Evans has his dog, Dodger. And Paris Hilton has a menagerie of miniature pooches. But&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-ariana-grande-thank-u-next-songs/ranker-music">Ariana Grande</a>'s pets might outrank them all. The singer has a wide variety of dogs breeds and fun names that include Toulouse and Coco. Grande has 10 dogs and an adorable farm animal as part of her family. &nbsp;&nbsp;For as long as the world has obsessed over celebrity culture, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/celebrities-with-strange-pets/samantha-dillinger">celebrity pets</a> have achieved a level of notoriety on par with that of their owners. Take a look at all the animals that call her "Mom."

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Fascinating info that will make you the most interesting person at every party.

Wild Facts You Should Know

Culture

Symbols are everywhere, even when we don't realize it. A drawing of a heart, a no smoking sign, or a crosswalk - they're all physical representations of a word, a concept, or an idea. As often as not, people use symbols and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/satanic-symbols-in-public/jacob-shelton">see symbols</a> without actually knowing their names.&nbsp;For example, let's take a look at the US-International keyboard (the version used for this list). There are a lot of keyboard symbols with fairly obvious names because there's very little confusion about what they do. The dollar sign ($), the plus sign (+), or the at sign (@) - these are all (more or less) keyboard symbols with names everyone knows. Most punctuation is also pretty straightforward (period).But, there are a bunch of<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/common-freemason-symbols/jacob-shelton"> symbol names</a>, especially keyboard symbol names, that don't resonate. Maybe we've never learned them, or maybe we came up with one of our own for simplicity (saying “star” for * is much easier than “asterisk," after all).&nbsp;There are a lot of possible reasons symbol names we don't use in regular conversation - but, now that we know them, try to stop us (exclamation point)! What about you (question mark)?&nbsp;

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The Actual Names For Symbols You Didn't Know Even Have Names

Wild Facts

Nowadays, most people know that radium products are&nbsp;incredibly harmful, and <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/dying-from-radiation-poisoning/kellen-perry" target="_blank">that radiation can kill you</a>. However, this wasn't always the case. In the early 20th century, radium paint was used on many household objects, and no one gave it a second thought. That is, until factory workers who were exposed to radium paint started to die. These Radium Girls, as they're referred to,&nbsp;often&nbsp;perished from radiation poisoning, and those who didn't&nbsp;fought stringently against it. They eventually won the battle, but at a great cost.Interestingly, when radium was first discovered, it was actually thought to be healthy. <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/quack-medical-devices-that-contained-radium/amandasedlakhevener" target="_blank">Radioactive medicine</a> was all the rage, and no one suspected that it was actually slowly killing them. Dangerous x-rays conducted at the time further exacerbated the effects of this&nbsp;radioactive quackery, so if you had been exposed to the poison, seeing a doctor actually made it worse. When the Radium Girls found that they had this&nbsp;sickness, they chose to fight&nbsp;back against those who inflicted&nbsp;it upon them - the corporations.These women were heroic, tragic, and important figures in our history, and their stories should never be forgotten&nbsp;for as long as they remain glowing in their graves.

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14 Horrific Facts About The Women Forced To Get Radium Poisoning For Their Job

14 Horrifying Facts About The Radium Girls

Laura Allan

Watchworthy

Unveiling the vastness of the cosmos to intrigued viewers, the realm of astronomy TV documentaries evokes awe and wonder. Documentaries about astronomy make complex concepts accessible and palatable, transforming stargazing into an educational joyride. Fusing compelling visuals with insightful narration, such shows unfurl layers of spacetime, opening gateways to galaxies far, far away. With each episode, these series act as a telescope, allowing us to peer into the mysteries of the universe while comfortably seated on our couches.&nbsp;Featuring a captivating blend of scientific exploration and entertainment, these shows paint an enigmatic portrait of the universe. These engaging astronomy documentaries reveal celestial secrets, from the life cycle of stars to the swirling vortex of black holes. Making science both fun and intriguing, they feed our innate curiosity for the cosmos. Their exceptional storytelling, combined with astounding visuals and expert insights, retains the fun-filled nature of traditional TV while immersing the viewer in an ocean of knowledge.&nbsp;Prominent examples of this genre include The Universe and Cosmos: A Personal Voyage, which pushes the boundaries of informational television. The Universe dazzles viewers with its detailed exploration of celestial phenomena, while Cosmos: A Personal Voyage, hosted by the iconic Carl Sagan, takes audiences on an inspiring journey through space and time. Other notable entries like Wonders of the Universe and Cosmos: A Space-Time Odyssey continue the legacy of delivering profound insights in a digestible format. These series, along with others, conveniently provide streaming options for Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Paramount+, Disney+ and Max, ensuring that they reach a broad spectrum of space enthusiasts.&nbsp;Documentaries about astronomy offer an accessible portal into the vast expanse of the universe. They are a testament to the power of television in making convoluted astronomical concepts simple and engaging for audiences of all kinds. These delightful series, brimming with scientific revelations, continue to satiate our cosmic curiosity, proving that the best astronomy series are those that not only entertain, but also enlighten. Tune in for a galactic ride into the unknown, and explore the universe from the comfort of your home.&nbsp;Whether you're flipping through the channels on a day off, burning hours at a time on Netflix, or actively seeking out and sharing clips of your favorite astronomy documentaries online, there's no denying that the top astronomy shows can pull us into their orbit and keep us there. So let's break out the telescope, venture into a black hole that sucks up all of our time, and rank the best astronomy documentary series.&nbsp;

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The Best TV Documentaries About Astronomy, Ranked

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If you're a fan of outer space and futuristic adventures, you're in for a treat with our list of the best Sci-Fi space movies of all time. Fiction movies about space have been a cornerstone of the science fiction genre, transporting audiences to distant galaxies, uncharted planets, and beyond the known universe. These films are not just about dazzling special effects; they tackle profound questions about humanity, survival, and the cosmos.Some standout examples in the genre include Interstellar, a visually stunning epic that delves into the complexities of love, time, and space travel. There's also The Martian, a gripping tale of survival and ingenuity as an astronaut fights to stay alive on Mars. And for those who enjoy a mix of ancient history and sci-fi, Stargate offers an exciting adventure through mysterious portals and distant lands. These films, among others, have defined what it means to create captivating and thoughtful fiction movies about space.&nbsp;So, which film ranks highest in your interstellar adventures? Make sure to cast your vote – it will help determine the ultimate sci-fi space masterpiece.

Independence Day

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The 185+ Best Sci-Fi Movies About Space

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The 185+ Best Sci-Fi Space Movies, Ranked By Fans

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Do you have that problem where most of your hair goes nicely in one direction, but one little bit just won't listen to reason? Well, congratulations, you have a hair cowlick. How exactly do&nbsp;cowlicks in hair work? Why do they happen? These are some questions you might have asked yourself if you have trouble&nbsp;styling your hair.&nbsp;Lucky you, this list has the answers you're looking for.&nbsp;For those few of you who have never heard the term before, a cowlick honestly doesn't have to do with cows or licking, other than etymology. Cowlick hair is mostly just a nuisance, a clump of hair growing in a different direction than the rest. That sounds like a simple explanation, and it is, because&nbsp;the truth of the matter is&nbsp;much more complex.&nbsp;So, if want&nbsp;to know more about why your hair does what it does, get ready to read about some pretty hairy stuff.&nbsp;

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What Are Cowlicks And Why Do We Have Them?

What Are Cowlicks and Why Do We Have Them?

Vacations

The solar system is a vast, amazing place. From our Goldilocks-zone planet of Earth we've been able to observe and learn quite a lot about our solar neighborhood. Most of that knowledge has come from high tech probes and telescopes, letting us peek at the other celestial bodies that make up our solar system. Getting there in person has proved a considerable challenge for our tenacious drive to explore. The whole solar system is hundreds of millions of kilometers of space, inhabited by objects that make up an infinitesimal fraction of that volume. And even if you could live long enough to make the voyage, these places aren't exactly hospitable, with all manners of intolerable cold, heat or toxicity. But let's just assume we all had a TARDIS or something. What cool things in the solar system could you visit? What outer space tourist sites would be your favorite destinations in an age of space tourism? Once you've considered this important question, why not rank your favorite <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-star-wars-planets/amylindorff">Star Wars planets</a> also?

Sailing Along Saturn's Rings Or Going For A Dip In Titan's Methane Lakes?

The Best Vacation Spots In The Solar System

The Best Vacation Spots in the Solar System

Michael Graff

Wild facts and historical photos that made us say "Whoa!"

More Stuff for History Nerds 

Belief is fluid. That's not a bastardized Bruce Lee quote, nor does it refer to a mythical river or rogue wave (which we'll get to later); it means that <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/amazing-animals-scientists-didnt-believe-were-real/eric-vega">what people believe is in constant flux.</a> The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/crazy-people-proven-right-all-along/will-morgan-1">history of belief </a>affirms that statement.&nbsp;For centuries, ordinary people thought the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/historical-figures-crazy-proven-right-all-along/emily-mast">sun revolved around Earth</a>, disease was caused by demons, and a hole in the head could cure most ailments. Although it may seem like our ancestors were more gullible, they didn't buy many of the phenomena that we now accept as fact.&nbsp;Note: many quotes are translated from their original languages.

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Totally Real Things People Used To Think Were Fake

Real Things People Used To Think Were Fake

Shane Fraser

There's little doubt humankind is the number one <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/weird-products-that-hurt-the-environment/nathan-gibson">threat to the wellbeing of the planet</a>. As humans evolve from one stage of civilization to the next, we force the world around us to change as well. This results in a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/worlds-most-endangered-foods/keshvaralikhani ">loss of plants,</a> animals, and even our own inventions.Ask yourselves when the last time you left a note in cursive was, or when you last saw a payphone. It might take a minute to recall that memory. The loss of pay phones and cursive writing may not have a huge impact on the world but some of the other things on this list surely will. Take a look below and let us know which of things you really wouldn't want to see go.&nbsp;

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16 Things We Didn't Realize Are Disappearing

16 Things We Didn't Realize Are Dying Out

Christina Chilin

Customs & Rituals

Totem poles are Native American works of art&nbsp;meant to represent important facts or people. Beginning in the 1700s, many tribes in the Pacific Northwest region created totem poles, but six tribes&nbsp;were known to do so in large numbers: the&nbsp;Tlingit, <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/haida-mortuary-pole-facts/keith-burnside">the&nbsp;Haida</a>, the Bella Coola, the&nbsp;Chinook, the Tsimshian, and&nbsp;the Coast Salish. These Northwestern tribes placed totem poles throughout their lands&nbsp;for a number of fascinating&nbsp;reasons based on their unique&nbsp;spiritual beliefs and cultural traditions. The poles typically ranged from just over 9.5 feet tall to&nbsp;nearly 60 feet tall.&nbsp;So what exactly did they mean and how were they used? Uncover these answers and more below.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Totem Poles

Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About Totem Poles and Their Iconography

T L Perez

Science and Medicine lists at Ranker provide the best rankings of interesting scientific facts, topics, and cool science news voted on by 1000s of science fans.