The Bran Castle was built in the 14th century between the borders of Transylvania and Wallachia, Romania. The Bran fortress (castle) was built for strategic and economic reasons, including control of important entry routes into Transylvania. After Transylvania had become a part of Greater Romania, the fortress was offered to Queen Maria of Romania. This […]
Common name : Question mark butterfly Scientific name : Polygonia interrogationis Family : Nymphalidae Native to : North America Interesting fact : Due to a unique pattern on the underside of its hind wings, which resemble a ‘?’ this butterfly is popularly known as the ‘Question mark butterfly’. With a wingspan of 4.5-7.5 cm, the question
Common name : Puriri moth Scientific name : Aenetus virescens Family : Hepialidae Native to : North Island, New Zealand Interesting fact : The largest moth found in New Zealand, the puriri moth has a wingspan of 150 mm. As mentioned, the puriri moth has a wingspan of 150 mm, and is green with brown
Common name : Jumping plant louse Scientific name : Psyllidae Family : Psyllidae Native to : Worldwide distribution Interesting fact : As a part of the sternorrhyncha group, the psyllids are considered to be one of the most primitive groups of true bugs. Only 2-3 mm in length, psyllids are plant-eating insects that are terrestrial
The Urquhart Castle was built between the 13th and the 16th century near Loch Ness, in the Highlands of Scotland. The Urquhart Castle played an important role in the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 14th century. One of the largest castles in Scotland, the Urquhart Castle is known for its unique location on the
The Abraj Al-Bait Towers were built in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, between 2004-2012. Also known as the Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel, the complex comprises a hotel, 5-storey shopping mall, and a parking garage. At 601 metres in height, it is the fourth tallest freestanding structure in the world, and has the world’s largest clock face
Once, there was a carpenter, Geppetto. He made beautiful wooden puppets but he was very lonely. One day, Geppetto made a little boy puppet. He also sewed nice clothes for the puppet. Geppetto wished for the boy to be a real one. A Fairy heard his wish and waved her magic wand. To his surprise,
Common name : False scorpion Scientific name: Pseudoscorpionida Family : Pseudoscorpionida Native to : Worldwide distribution Interesting fact : The oldest fossil of the pseudoscorpion is said to date back to the Devonian era, 380 million years ago. About 2-8 mm in length, the pseudoscorpians are tiny and inoffensive to humans. Their diet is comprised
The Burj Al-Arab, meaning Tower of the Arabs, was built in Dubai, U. A. E., between 1994-1999. A hotel, the Burj Al-Arab, is the third tallest hotel in the world, and is built on an artificial island connected to the mainland only by a private bridge. The total height of the hotel is 210 metres.
Common name : Plume moth Scientific name: Pterophoridae Family : Pterophoridae Native to : Oceans worldwide Interesting fact : This insect is named such because of its wings, which have the appearance of a bird’s ‘plume’. With a wingspan of 6-50 mm, unlike other moths and butterflies, the plume moths are tiny and have ‘T’
Common name : Velvet worm Scientific name: Peripatoides indigo Family : Peripatopsidae Native to : New Zealand Interesting fact : Known as a ‘living fossil’ because it has changed considerably over 500 million years, the peripatus is said to be the link between annelids and arthropods. About 60 mm in length, the natural habitat of
Common name : Booklouse Scientific name: Liposcelis divinatorius Family : Liposcelidae Native to : Worldwide distribution Interesting fact : Since they are found specifically in the bindings of books, these insects are popularly known as booklice. Not more than 2 mm in length, these insects are wingless. Their diet is comprised of the paste used
Common name : Brazilian wandering spider Scientific name: Phoneutria nigriventer Family : Ctenidae Native to : South America Interesting fact : Since 2010, this spider has been in the Guinness Book of World Records, as the most venomous spider in the world. This spider has a larger body and greater body weight in comparison to
The Big Ben is the nickname extended to the Clock Tower built in London in 1858. This tower that has officially been known as the Elizabeth Tower since 2012, is the second largest four-facing tower in the world. The total height of the tower is 96 metres. The movement of the clock, and also the
Common name : Peacock mite Scientific name : Tuckerella Family : Tuckerellidae Native to : Tropical regions Interesting fact : Named so on account of its decorative dorsal surface, the peacock mite has delicate ornamentation distinguishing it from other insects. With delicate hair-like structures on its body, it uses them to defend itself against predators.