Snowy Owl Trivia

Posted on February 3, 2010 by Jane

One of the most recognizable birds in the world is the snowy owl. Their white plumage and yellow eyes are very unique and distinctive. Snowy owls are among the few birds that make the north their year round home. These majestic birds have been used on currency and stamps throughout the world. They have also made their way into fiction and into popular culture.

They are probably the most powerful of all the owls.

The snowy owl is also known as the great white owl or the arctic owl.

A fully grown snowy owl can have a wing span of 125 to 150 cm. They stand about 50 to 63 cm in height, and weigh between 40 60 oz (1100g to 1600g). Wild owls will live an average of 9 years whereas captive owls have been known to live for 35 years.

The snowy owl is the official provincial bird of Quebec. These birds are protected in Canada. Continue reading →

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Shark Attack Trivia

Posted on February 3, 2010 by Jane

What was the worst shark attack in history?

According to a number of sources including the Discovery Channel, the worst shark attack in history occurred in July of 1945. After being hit by Japanese torpedoes, the U.S.S. Indianapolis Portland-class Cruiser sank in 12 minutes. The ship had just left Guam and was enroute to Leyte with 1196 crew on board. It is estimated that at least 300 men were killed when the ship went down, and the rest of the crew were forced to wait in the ocean for someone to rescue them.

It is estimated that 800 men went into the water on July 30th, with very few lifeboats or life jackets. The men floated in the open sea hoping for a rescue, but unfortunately, the Navy was unaware that the ship had not reached its destination. Although the ship, according to some sources, had sent out distress signals, they were not acted upon. Three stations later reported that they heard the call. Sadly none of these stations, for a number of reasons, (including one station that thought it was a Japanese trick) did anything about the message. Continue reading →

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Sea Monster Trivia

Posted on February 3, 2010 by Jane

The Loch Ness Monster is no longer alone. All over the world more and more lake monsters are making their presence known. From China to Turkey to the interior of North America the claims of lake monster sightings are on the rise. And, what is more surprising is that not only are more people seeing strange lake creatures, the scientific community is no longer simply laughing these sights off. Research teams with very sophisticated equipment are investigating lake monsters all around the globe.

The Oceanographic Institute of Bergen is using recording equipment to investigate underwater sounds in Seljordsvatnet, Norway, where Selma makes her home.

Ogopogo was officially reported 80 years before the Loch Ness Monster.

Chesapeake Bay is home to Chessie. Reports say that Chessie is somewhere between 25 and 40 feet. She has a body that is similar to a snake. One theory suggests that Chessie is actually a manatee. A manatee is a marine mammal that is closely related to elephants. Continue reading →

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Scrabble Trivia

Posted on February 3, 2010 by Jane

One of the best known board games in the world is Scrabble. There have been more than 150 million copies of this game sold throughout the world. It has been used for years by many countries to help students to learn English. Scrabble has not only been made available in countless countries, it is available in many different formats. There are travel versions, computer versions and even Braille versions of this fun word game.

Scrabble is played on a square board with 15 spaces across and 15 down, there are 225 squares on the board. When the game was first played you did not use a board, you only had the tiles.

The highest known score for a single word is 392. The word used by Dr. Saladin Khoshnaw in 1982. The word was craziques which means Indian Chief.

There are 100 tiles in the original game. If however, you are playing the game in either Portuguese or Italian there are 120 tiles. Continue reading →

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Cockroach Trivia

Posted on February 3, 2010 by Jane

Cockroaches are true masters of survival. They are incredibly adept at getting into homes and making themselves welcome. Do not think that roaches are only found in lower class houses or districts. These little monsters are everywhere and are spreading. Once a roach moves in they are extremely difficult to remove. If you do have a roach problem you would be well advised to seek the help of a professional and get them out as quickly as possible.

There are more than 3500 known species of cockroaches.

The largest roach in the world lives in South America. These insects can have a one foot wing span and grow to be 6 inches long.

Cockroaches can hold their breath for half an hour and go without food for a month. They can go for two whole weeks without water. A cockroach can take up to a week to die after its head has been cut off. This is because its brain is not located all in its head. Continue reading →

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Pumpkin Trivia

Posted on February 3, 2010 by Jane

There is far more to pumpkins than most people realize. Pumpkins are being used as boats, in sports and creams. They are a very nutritious and hearty fruit. Pumpkins have grown far beyond being merely Halloween decorations.

One of the strangest sports in the world is pumpkin boat racing. Never heard of it? Pumpkin racing began in Windsor, Nova Scotia. Contestants hollow out their giant pumpkin and race it across Lake Pesaquid. The PVCs (personal vegetable crafts) are divided into different groups. They have a paddling group and a motorized and experimental class. Contestants are encouraged to not only decorated their PVC’s but to wear a costume. In Windsor the day of the big race is a whole day of pumpkin fun and games.

Howard Dill has been dubbed the ‘Pumpkin King‘. Dill is the man behind the Giant Pumpkin. It was his engineering and cross breeding that gave us the seeds for growing enormous pumpkins. Dill, himself held the title for growing the world’s largest pumpkin a number of times, before his record was defeated. Dill is also the founder of the world famous pumpkin races held in Windsor, Nova Scotia. Continue reading →

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Poison & Poisoners Trivia

Posted on February 3, 2010 by Jane

For thousands of years poisons have been used as a means of execution, a murder weapon and a way of committing suicide. Many of the ancient cultures understood and used poisons. Poison can be found in both natural and man made forms. Poisons can come in many configurations (gas, powder, liquid etc.) and death by poison is often mistaken for death by natural causes. It has been said that poison tends to be the weapon of choice for women rather than men.

One of the most noted cases of execution by poison was that of Socrates. Socrates, was a Greek philosopher who was found guilty of corrupting the minds of the young men in Athens. Socrates was sentenced to die by drinking poison hemlock.

In WWII the Germans used hydrogen cyanide in some of their notorious gas chambers. Cyanide was also a favorite poison used by high members of the German Third Reich to commit suicide. It was used by Eva Braun and other officers and their families at the end of the war. General Rommel is believed to have been forced to commit suicide by using cyanide. Continue reading →

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Love Potion Trivia

Posted on February 3, 2010 by Jane

Witches, herbologists and alchemists have been creating and brewing love potions throughout the centuries. Almost every ancient culture and even religion has had their own version of the love potion.

Love potions may be made with the intent of having someone specific fall madly in love with you, or they may be made to make you more appealing to the opposite sex in general. Your goal may be to ensure that the person you are currently with stays faithful or you may be trying to rekindle an old romance. The reason for the potion is just as important as the potion itself. There are different potions, talismans and recipes for all of these desires but you have to be certain exactly what it is that you want the potion to do for you.

All of the potions, here are made of herbs and simple ingredients. Most of the ingredients are probably in your kitchen right now. They are not evil or satanic. None of these tonics dangerous. Regardless of your religious beliefs you may want to give one of these a try. Continue reading →

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Valentine’s Day Gift Trivia

Posted on February 3, 2010 by Jane

Every year millions of people celebrate the feast of Saint Valentine. They do not celebrate the day as a religious event but as an affirmation of love or commitment to another person. A valentine does not have to be a lover or a spouse, although in many cases it is. Teachers are in fact the people who receive more Valentines than anyone else, followed closely by mothers. Chocolates, flowers and cards are the most common items given out on Valentine’s Day and are always appreciated, however if you are trying to find a suitable Valentine for a lover, significant other or a spouse why not try something a little different this year.

These day you can get everything from underwear, to soaps and candles made just for your significant other. You can get almost anything personalized but, keep in mind the amount of time that you have and the budget.

A truly unique idea is to get a personalized romance novel. These novels are not very expensive and allow you and your other to become the stars in your own romance. Continue reading →

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Arctic Wolf Trivia

Posted on February 3, 2010 by Jane

The Arctic is no place for the weak. In this harsh and often cruel environment only the strongest will survive. One of the few animals that calls this forbidden land home is the arctic wolf. Often called the white wolf or the tundra wolf this magnificent animal is well suited to living in the north.

Arctic wolves can go for weeks without food.

Predators in the north cannot afford to be choosey. Prey is often scarce and meals are often infrequent and small. Arctic wolves will hunt almost anything in the north. They will hunt and eat, arctic hare, lemmings, birds, and caribou. Musk ox and seals have also been to known to become a meal for a hungry wolf pack.

Wolves will often following the migrating caribou herds.

Wolves eat all of the kill including the bones. The alpha male always eats first and then stands guard while the alpha female has her meal.

The arctic wolf can survive in sub zero temperatures for months on end. They are also accustomed to the long dark winter months. Continue reading →

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