Too Good to Be True? 3 Weirdest Facts That Sound Fake But Aren’t!

What distinguishes fact from fiction? It generally boils down to the evidence and truth supporting a statement, but what are the narratives behind these facts?

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Here are the "Too Good to Be True? 3 Weirdest Facts That Sound Fake But Aren’t!" Starting with,

The National Animal of Scotland is......A Unicorn? Although the unicorn is recognized as Scotland's national animal, there is no solid evidence of their existence. A report once mentioned that Marco Polo claimed to have seen a unicorn at Kublai Khan's court. However, researchers later concluded that he had probably seen a rhinoceros.

Photo by Paul Bill on Unsplash

So, why Unicorn?

Scotland selected the unicorn as its national animal because it embodies purity, power, and untamed freedom—traits that resonate with Scotland’s fierce independence and rich mythology. During medieval times, unicorns were thought to be so strong and wild that only a virgin could tame them, symbolizing an untouchable spirit.

Furthermore, Scottish folklore frequently portrayed unicorns as natural foes of lions, which represented English royalty. This choice subtly signified Scotland’s resistance to English rule. Today, the unicorn remains a proud symbol of Scotland, featured on the Royal Coat of Arms and various national emblems.

Octopuses has NINE brains!

Indeed! Octopuses possess a total of nine brains—a central brain that oversees overall functions and eight smaller "mini-brains" located in each of their arms. These smaller brains enable their arms to move independently, respond to stimuli, and carry out complex tasks without needing direct input from the central brain.

This decentralized nervous system renders octopuses remarkably intelligent, capable of solving problems, using tools, and even escaping enclosures in ingenious ways. Some researchers even suggest that each arm has a "mind of its own"!

Bananas are berries, while strawberries aren’t.

Yes! It may seem strange, but bananas are considered berries, while strawberries are not according to botanical classifications.

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Bananas fit the botanical definition of a berry: they develop from a single flower's ovary and contain several seeds inside. In contrast, strawberries arise from a flower with multiple ovaries, categorizing them as an aggregate fruit, not a true berry.

So, why are they called Strawberries? The name "strawberry" originates from the old practice of using straw to mulch the plants and protect the fruit as it grew. Another theory suggests the name comes from how wild strawberries grow—they produce runners that appear “strewn” across the ground, leading to the old English term “streawberige” (meaning "strewn berry"). In any case, the name is unrelated to it being a true berry (since it isn’t).

Fun fact: Eggplants, cucumbers, and kiwis are also considered berries!

Those are the weirdest facts that sound fake but aren’t, don't forget to share this article with everyone and comment below your favorite fact!