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So magpies don't like shiny things after all. But surely storks bring babies? So magpies don't like shiny things after all. But surely storks bring babies?
(7 months later)
Last week we learned that magpies, contrary to popular belief, are not naturally inclined to stealing shiny things. The study, conducted by scientists at the University of Exeter, found that in 64 tests the birds only attempted to pick up a silver item twice, and in both cases they immediately dropped it. If anything, the shiny object made them more nervous and less likely to feed. Whatever next? Bears don't like honey? Cats love swimming? For centuries, people have invented personalities for animals in an attempt to anthropomorphise them. Let's take a look at some of these preconceptions to see whether or not they're true…Last week we learned that magpies, contrary to popular belief, are not naturally inclined to stealing shiny things. The study, conducted by scientists at the University of Exeter, found that in 64 tests the birds only attempted to pick up a silver item twice, and in both cases they immediately dropped it. If anything, the shiny object made them more nervous and less likely to feed. Whatever next? Bears don't like honey? Cats love swimming? For centuries, people have invented personalities for animals in an attempt to anthropomorphise them. Let's take a look at some of these preconceptions to see whether or not they're true…
KoalasKoalas
Belief: cute and cuddlyBelief: cute and cuddly
True or false: falseTrue or false: false
The fluffy grey marsupials may look like they were custom-designed to be as adorable as possible… but they're aggressive little things, especially in the wild. Every couple of years there are reports of unprovoked attacks on humans, including a woman in Adelaide whose ear was ripped in two. While these attacks are relatively rare, koalas' claws and teeth are sharp enough to warrant caution. If you find all this hard to believe, try googling "angry koala".The fluffy grey marsupials may look like they were custom-designed to be as adorable as possible… but they're aggressive little things, especially in the wild. Every couple of years there are reports of unprovoked attacks on humans, including a woman in Adelaide whose ear was ripped in two. While these attacks are relatively rare, koalas' claws and teeth are sharp enough to warrant caution. If you find all this hard to believe, try googling "angry koala".
SkunksSkunks
Belief: smellyBelief: smelly
True or false: trueTrue or false: true
In this case, the poor skunks haven't been unfairly maligned. When they feel that they're under attack they use their anal scent glands as a defensive weapon – and aim with surprising accuracy. On the plus side, this expends a lot of their energy, so they try to avoid doing so. The smell has been described as a mix of burnt rubber, rotten eggs and garlic. In this case, the poor skunks haven't been unfairly maligned. When they feel that they're under attack they use their anal scent glands as a defensive weapon – and aim with surprising accuracy. On the plus side, this expends a lot of their energy, so they try to avoid doing so. The smell has been described as a mix of burnt rubber, rotten eggs and garlic.
SlothsSloths
Belief: slow; lazyBelief: slow; lazy
True or false: true; falseTrue or false: true; false
Sloths are synonymous with laziness, and even have the same name as one of the seven deadly sins. In a way, you can see why. On the ground they move at a velocity of less than 1ft per minute and, in captivity, they're said to sleep 16 hours a day. It is certainly true that they are slow, but research published in the Royal Society Journal in 2008 showed that sloths in the rainforest of Panama only slept 9.6 hours a day (incidentally, koalas sleep for 20-22). Sloths are synonymous with laziness, and even have the same name as one of the seven deadly sins. In a way, you can see why. On the ground they move at a velocity of less than 1ft per minute and, in captivity, they're said to sleep 16 hours a day. It is certainly true that they are slow, but research published in the Royal Society Journal in 2008 showed that sloths in the rainforest of Panama only slept 9.6 hours a day (incidentally, koalas sleep for 20-22).
StorksStorks
Belief: Deliver babiesBelief: Deliver babies
True or false: um… falseTrue or false: um… false
At the time of writing, there is no evidence to suggest storks bring sprogs to families who put sweets on their windowsill. The myth dates back to ancient Greek folklore, where storks were portrayed as model parents. It may also have roots in pagan beliefs about fertility and spring. More recently, Hans Christian Andersen's bleak-as-hell story "The Storks" brought a resurgence of the myth in prudish Victorian times.At the time of writing, there is no evidence to suggest storks bring sprogs to families who put sweets on their windowsill. The myth dates back to ancient Greek folklore, where storks were portrayed as model parents. It may also have roots in pagan beliefs about fertility and spring. More recently, Hans Christian Andersen's bleak-as-hell story "The Storks" brought a resurgence of the myth in prudish Victorian times.