Fact or Fiction? Let’s Bust These Common Myths!

1. Do Bats Really Fly Into Your Hair? Myth: Bats are blind and get tangled in people's hair. Fact: Bats have amazing echo-location and are excellent at dodging obstacles, even in the dark!

2. Can You Really See the Great Wall of China from Space? Myth: It's the only manmade object visible from space. Fact: It is not visible to the naked eye from the moon - and many manmade objects like roads and airports are more visible from orbit!

3. Does Gum Stay in Your Stomach for 7 Years If You Swallow It? Myth: Swallowed gum stays stuck in your belly forever. Fact: While your body can't digest gum, it passes through your system just like other things you eat.

4. Will Cracking Your Knuckles Give You Arthritis? Myth: Cracking your knuckles causes joint problems. Fact: Studies show there is no link between knuckle cracking and arthritis; it's just air bubbles popping in the joint fluid.

5. Is Lightning Really Never Striking the Same Place Twice? Myth: Lightning only hits one place and never returns. Fact: Lightning often strikes the same spot more than once - especially tall buildings like the Empire State Building.

6. Do Bulls Really Hate the Color Red? Myth: Bulls charge at red capes because they hate the color red. Fact: Bulls are actually colorblind to red! What makes them charge is the movement of the cape, not its color. The waving motion is what gets their attention.

7. Can You Dig a Hole All the Way to China? Myth: If you dig deep enough, you'll end up in China. Fact: It's a fun idea, but if you started digging in North America, you would end up in the Indian Ocean. The Earth's layers also get extremely hot and pressurized, making it impossible to dig that far with a regular shovel.

8. If You Drop a Penny from a Skyscraper, Can It Kill Someone? Myth: A penny dropped from a tall building can hurt or kill someone. Fact: A penny is too light and flat to gain enough speed. It might sting, but it won't be deadly.

9. Can You Catch a Cold from Being Cold? Myth: You'll get sick just from being outside without a coat. Fact: Colds are caused by viruses, not chilly weather - though being cold might weaken your immune response a bit.

10. Do Ostriches Really Bury Their Heads in the Sand? Myth: Ostriches stick their heads in the sand to hide. Fact: They never bury their heads! They lower them to the ground to check their eggs or blend in when they feel threatened.

11. Can You Touch a Baby Bird Without Its Mom Abandoning It? Myth: If you touch a baby bird, its mom will smell you and stay away. Fact: Most birds actually have a poor sense of smell. Touching a baby bird won't scare off its mother (but it's still best to leave wildlife alone when possible!).

Final Thought: The world is full of wild stories, old sayings, and funny "facts" that don't always hold up under closer inspection. But that's what makes learning so exciting! The more we ask questions and dig into the truth, the more we discover how fascinating (and sometimes surprising) the real answers can be. Keep your curiosity alive - you never know what myth you'll bust next!