Author: Christopher Stephens

World War II was a tragedy filled mass conflict with numerous strategic mistakes, violations of international law and general military weight-throwing. But amongst the fighting were many bizarre military actions, seemingly outlandish but well documented family connections and twists and turns that are sure to surprise the history buff. 10. Hitler’s Blood Nephew serves in…

Human sleep is a relief to the weary, while sometimes despised by the hard driven. Essential and mundane, human sleep is still mysterious, enticing determine researchers with its enigmas. And when affected by physical or psychological disorders just as any aspect of human existence may be, sleep is often anything but restful, bringing disturbance and…

The high seas. Piracy. Savage hunts. And… birds. When we think of predatory birds, we think of hawks, eagles, falcons, and owls. Yet, the Earth’s oceans are patrolled by aggressive avian predators that evolved from normal seabirds but prey upon mammals, land birds, and other seabirds, or pirate their catches through relentless coercion. In this…

Male dominance is frequently assumed to be the norm in the animal kingdom and has been a significant matter of reform in modern human society. Yet other species, some well-known and others obscure, with extremely intricate social arrangements or perplexing life histories may astound us with their incredible characteristics of female domination within the species.…

Venomous insects have been copied by a range of “imposters,” which may be other insects, non-insect species or even plants. Motives include avoidance of predators, a bizarre pollination scam or an attempt to infiltrate gatherings of a prey species. Whatever the logic, “be yourself” is the antithesis of survival for these life forms. 10. The…

Environmental change, human errors and sheer recklessness have led to a number of recent extinctions. In fact, the maple tree in your yard may have once held passenger pigeons, and thylacine claw marks can still be found. With preserved DNA and genetic restoration technology, it’s now possible that some of these lost species may be…

Fighter pilots are perhaps the deadliest yet most detached warriors to ever engage in battle. Those who possessed the best maneuvering traits, spatial awareness and marksmanship define history as the greatest aerial aces. We’ve taken into account not just kills, but also time in service, difficulty of flying conditions and the nature of their missions.…

While humans trigger most environmental challenges directly, sometimes the threats are posed by animals. You wouldn’t expect these 10 animals to be causing problems, but they are, in their own way, extremely dangerous. 10. Deer Mice, Forest Fragmentation and Lyme Disease The wide range of human impact on nature includes forest fragmentation, which leaves small…

Reptiles elicit a mixed response from people. Symbolic of the primeval, these creatures offer a feeling of connection to the dinosaur age. Ranging from powerful and dangerous to garishly colored and cute, reptiles offer amazing examples of animal diversity and adaptation. These 10 especially remarkable creatures deserve a closer look. 10. Spider-Man Lizard The red-headed…

Birds are quickly defined by their bills, and among the more than 10,000 species of birds you’ll find that a number have bills that must be seen to be believed. Shapes, colors and unique functions indicate a distinctiveness seldom seen in other species. Some bill types are so bizarre that only a single bird type…

The invention of elaborately constructed flying machines to travel through the Earth’s atmosphere ranks among mankind’s greatest innovations. The field of aviation is defined by challenging the limits and coming up with bold new ideas, but these aircraft simply defy all concepts of normalcy. 10. Convair V2 Sea Dart To supplement standard aircraft, a variety…

Animal traits are often correlated to an animal’s environment, predator avoidance, and mating habits. Often the traits make sense, but here, we explore how natural traits can become totally bizarre. And yet, while bizarre, each one of these traits makes total sense and is 100% beneficial to the animal’s survival. 10. The Secrets of Hippopotamus…

Dogs are among the most familiar domestic animals, but most wild canines that evolved naturally in remote ecosystems are among the least known animals to the general public. Wild, non-feral dog species are fascinating and sometimes mysterious creatures, offering a treasure trove of surprising facts to naturalists. Here are some of the most curious canids around,…