Not true! /VCG Photo
Sometimes, cartoons, fables and fairy tales are quite unfair to animals. Many stereotypes and wrong impressions are imposed on them, but they can't explain themselves.
Not true either! /VCG Photo
So, let's change some minds! If you or your children still believe that the ostrich hides its head in sand, or lemmings jump into the sea to commit mass suicide, read and share this article.
Cats do NOT love milk
"We do drink milk, but not after growing up!" /VCG Photo
Cats are usually depicted to have an unstoppable desire for milk, cream, and butter. That's untrue, adult cats (not kittens) can't digest lactose. The milk you buy in supermarkets does not contain much fat for the cats, so do not feed your cat milk -- it may get an upset stomach.
Bulls DON'T hate red
"We do not hate red!" /VCG Photo
Because they cannot see the red color at all. The true reason bulls get irritated in a bullfight is because of the movements of the muleta.
Elephants are NOT afraid of mice
"We do not fear mice!" /VCG Photo
Elephants are known to be startled by sudden movements of various kinds of animals, including dogs, cats, or snakes, but have not been found to fear mice especially. And mice can't enter elephants' ears.
Ostriches do NOT hide their heads in sand
"We do not bury heads!" /VCG Photo
Comics say that ostriches bury their heads in the sand at the first sign of danger. In reality, this is not true. Ostriches are more likely to respond by fleeing. If this option is unavailable, they kick. An ostrich's powerful kick can kill a man, or even a lion.
Bats are NOT blind
"We can see!" /VCG Photo
"As blind as a bat" is a long-existing but completely wrong idiom. No bat is blind. Some of them even have very good eyesight and rely on it to find fruits and nectar. By the way, "as blind as a mole" is not correct either. Moles are not completely blind, though they do not use their vision often.
Goldfish are NOT forgetful
"We can remember!" /VCG Photo
The idea that "the goldfish has only a three-second memory" is merely an urban legend. The goldfish's memory, as of other fish, is much longer and can last for months, even years.
Porcupines can NOT shoot "darts."
“We do not project our quills!" /VCG Photo
The porcupine singer in the popular animation movie "Sing" projects her quills at audiences when she is performing. In reality, this does not happen. Porcupines were long believed to have the ability to project their quills to a considerable distance at an enemy, but this has been proven to be untrue.
(Cover image via VCG)
(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)