False facts that we still believe

The False Facts that we still believe to be true

1. George Washington was the first president of the United States

 It is a well-known fact that a dollar bill depicts George Washington, the first president of the USA, a talented politician, and a participant in the American War of Independence. But this information doesn’t match because some people call him the first president, while others call him the 15th. Where did this contradiction come from?

The United States Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776, while George Washington became the head of the country on the April 30, 1789. So a logical question arises: who ruled the country from 1776 until 1789? Other presidents. That’s the reason why some sources cite Peyton Randolph as the first president.
But we should note that Peyton Randolph had the position of ’the first President of the Continental Congress,’ while the position of ’the first President of the USA’ was taken by George Washington.

2. Zebras’ black and white coloring is a protection from predators.

Biologists have been searching for years for the answer to why zebras have stripes and there are many theories. According to the first one, the striped coloring baffles predators during an attack and makes a zebra less visible in the surrounding environment. According to the second one, every zebra has a unique coloring and pattern that helps them recognize each other. According to the third version, bloodsucking insects bite them less.
Scientists from the University of California held a research study to find the connection between a zebras coloring and their habitat. It turns out that the higher the average temperature is, the brighter and wider the black stripes are. At the same time, their coloring becomes faint in colder places. The reason is in the fact that black and white stripes heat up differently. So, the altering black and white stripes on the zebra’s skin help them with thermo regulation.

3. Blue Whale is the largest creature on Earth 

Perhaps you were told in biology lessons that the blue whale is the absolute record-holder among the biggest creatures that ever lived on Earth. It’s true that it is the largest mammal. It can reach more than 100 feet in length and the heart of an adult blue whale weighs about one ton.
However, if we consider all living creatures that inhabit our planet, there is something much larger than the blue whale. It’s a fungus called Armillaria ostoyae that takes up almost 4 square miles in the Malheur National Forest in Oregon. It got the name the Oregon Monster because it strangles the roots of trees and causes their death.

4. Are elephants the only animals who can’t jump?

It’s true that adult elephants can’t jump despite the fact that they not only have 4 legs, but also knees, tendons, and spring muscles. It’s difficult to lift the huge mass of the elephant into the air. It can’t lift all 4 feet from the ground simultaneously because one of their feet always has to stay on the ground for balance.
But elephants are not the only animals who can’t jump. There are other mammals who also can’t do it, for example, sloths, hippos, and rhinos. Unlike elephants, hippos and rhinos can lift all 4 legs off the ground while running.

5.Alcohol keeps you warm 

It merely dilates the warm blood vessels near the skin creating the impression of warmth. It can actually drop core body temperature...